Virology

HIV (which stands for human immunodeficiency virus) affects and weakens your immune system, destroying your body’s white cells, which serve to fight infections.

With a weakened immune system, serious infections and certain kinds of cancer can easily take hold in your body.

Although sometimes the terms are used interchangeably, AIDS (which stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the final stage of HIV infections. Although HIV causes AIDS, not all HIV patients develop AIDS.

In most cases, HIV is spread by having unprotected sexual contact or sharing needles with someone who has been infected. Another form of transmission is through contact with the blood of someone who has been infected. Mothers who have not been treated with antiretroviral agents can also infect their babies during pregnancy and birth.

The first typical HIV symptoms are inflamed glands and flu-like symptoms (similar to influenza). Severe symptoms may not appear up until after months or years of acquiring the virus.

It is estimated that 39,393 people were diagnosed with HIV in the United States in 2015.

According to estimates for Puerto Rico, there are more than 20,295 people diagnosed with an HIV infection.

Approximately one out of every eight people in the United States is infected with HIV and doesn’t know it. All you need in order to know if you’ve been infected is a simple blood test. You can go to a health care provider to get this blood test or get a home test done.

There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. However, there are medications that fight the HIV infection and reduce the risk of infecting others. Those who obtain early treatment can live with the disease for a long time.

Our commitment to HIV patients

Therapy against HIV/AIDS requires commitment, discipline, and determination. Recently diagnosed patients tend to feel overwhelmed by the diagnosis, as well as the various medications and treatments prescribed.

HIV/AIDS patients require a coordinated care team, including a specialty pharmacy with access to the medications available to significantly improve these patients’ lives.

To provide HIV/AIDS patients with the care they need and deserve, we offer personalized and compassionate care, education about the disease, programs to help patients adhere to their treatment, help with pre-authorizations, and assistance for emergency management, to meet your needs, and to tend to your questions and concerns.

Since HIV treatment can be expensive, we also help you obtain financial assistance if you qualify, such as copay cards from drug manufacturers and nonprofit organizations.

We are here for you. We will do everything in our power to help you.

Below are some of the treatments we provide to patients with HIV:

Click here to learn more about other drugs we dispense.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which is the largest organ in our bodies.

The liver’s functions are vital. They include digestion, storing energy, and removing toxins.

There are many types of hepatitis, including autoimmune and viral hepatitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis

In the case of autoimmune hepatitis, the body immune system attacks healthy liver cells producing inflammation and scaring.

Viral hepatitis

Viral hepatitis includes hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.  Although there are other types of hepatitis, these are the most common.

Hepatitis may lead to complications such as scarring in the liver (cirrhosis), require a transplant, or cause liver cancer

Some hepatitis symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dark yellow urine and pale stools
• Stomach ache
• Jaundice, a symptom where the skin and eyes look yellowish

Nearly 4.4 million people are infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C; most don’t know they are infected. Lifelong infections with these two types of hepatitis represent the greatest risk of developing liver cancer.

Based on the hepatitis type and severity, it may be cured on its own or require pharmacological treatment. In some cases, hepatitis is a lifelong disease.

At Special Care Pharmacy Services, we have access to advanced medications to fight hepatitis, and our team of specialists has the necessary expertise to manage this disease.

Also, our personalized care system helps patients coordinate their treatment and stay on track. We can also help you obtain any financial assistance available to cover the costs of treatment, if you qualify.

Below are some of the treatments we provide to patients with hepatitis:

Click here to learn more about other drugs we dispense.