Group O infections are a substrain of HIV/AIDS that predominantly affects countries in western and central Africa. Although Group O infections are some of the most rare of all the HIV substrains, they can also be some of the most dangerous. In fact, because of how rare Group O infections are, they can be tough to diagnose and treat.
As with all other forms of HIV/AIDS, there is no cure for Group O infections. There are, however, medications that can keep the human immunodeficiency virus at bay and help people with an infection live a long and normal life. In order for this to happen, it is important to seek an early diagnosis and to start treatment as quickly as possible.
Since 1987, antiretroviral medications have been the best and only effective treatment to combat all types of HIV/AIDS, including Group O infections. Antiretroviral drugs, better known as antiretroviral therapy or ART, consist of medications specifically designed to fight HIV infections.
The goal of ART is to keep certain key building blocks and elements from getting to the human immunodeficiency virus. In so doing, it prevents the virus from growing and cuts off its life supply, thus killing parts of the virus. While ART is not a total cure for Group O infections, it controls the virus and prevents most of its dangerous and uncomfortable symptoms.
Since 1987, antiretroviral medications have been the best and only effective treatment to combat all types of HIV/AIDS, including Group O infections. Antiretroviral drugs, better known as antiretroviral therapy or ART, consist of medications specifically designed to fight HIV infections.
The goal of ART is to keep certain key building blocks and elements from getting to the human immunodeficiency virus. In so doing, it prevents the virus from growing and cuts off its life supply, thus killing parts of the virus. While ART is not a total cure for Group O infections, it controls the virus and prevents most of its dangerous and uncomfortable symptoms.
Currently, there are five different types of drugs used in ART.
NNRTIs, such as doravirine and efavirenz, turn off essential proteins that do not allow Group O viruses to replicate.
NRTIs, such as abacavir and zidovudine, fool the virus and fight it from the inside out, thus keeping it from replicating.
PIs, such as darunavir and atazanavir, also keep the virus from replicating by blocking essential protease proteins.
Integrase inhibitors, such as cobotegravir and raltegravir, do not allow the virus to enter your white blood cells and break them down.
Entry or infusion inhibitors are very similar to Integrase inhibitors in that they do not allow the virus to enter your white blood cells.
Currently, because the virus in Group O infections is slightly different from other HIV strains, a combination of two NRTI medications and the integrase inhibitor, raltegravir, is the most effective form of treatment.
While ART is the best and most effective treatment for Group O HIV-1 infections, it is not without its side effects, which include the following.
In addition to ART, it is important to do everything you can to maintain your compromised immune system. This includes things like eating a healthy diet packed with fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, and loading up on vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and certain amino acids.
Although ART is a highly effective treatment for Group O HIV-1 infections that has saved many lives, Group O infections are extremely dangerous. Without treatment, Group O infections are deadly, and most people pass away within several years of a diagnosis. Therefore, if you or someone you love has HIV-1, it is important to determine which strain you have and start treatment immediately.