Since the establishment of effective antiviral therapy in the 1990s, treatment for HIV infection has made remarkable progress over the past 25 years. Today, it is possible to control the virus for life by taking just one oral medication daily. Moreover, the side effects of antiviral drugs have decreased compared to earlier treatments.
As advances in treatment have extended the life expectancy of people living with HIV, issues such as atherosclerotic diseases like dyslipidemia and diabetes, as well as malignancies that come with aging, have become a concern, similar to those faced by HIV-negative individuals. At our hospital, in addition to managing complications related to HIV infection, we perform regular health checkups based on each patient’s risk, alongside annual cancer screenings and legally mandated health exams offered by local governments or workplaces. We also provide information on diseases preventable by vaccines and proactively offer vaccinations to patients who wish to receive them.
All physicians at our hospital are highly skilled in HIV treatment and take the utmost care in maintaining patient privacy, including considerations of gender identity and sexual orientation. Additionally, Keio University Hospital has been designated as a core AIDS treatment hospital in Tokyo. Alongside physicians, a well-structured HIV care team, consisting of experienced medical staff such as specialist pharmacists, specialist nurses, and social workers, has been established to provide patients with a safe and secure healthcare environment.