HIV
Hiv
At Janssen, we are committed to contributing to the control and ultimately prevention of infectious diseases, such as HIV. HIV is no longer a death sentence due to major advances in treatment. Nevertheless, the virus still exists and there are an estimated 37.7 million people worldwide living with HIV1, 2. Every year about 1.5 million people are still infected. Also in Belgium there were still 727 new HIV diagnoses3in 2020.
Hiv and AIDS
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS.5 This virus gradually weakens the human immune system. In every patient, an HIV infection causes various complaints and symptoms, including fever, nausea, or diarrhea. Over time, the virus often continues to attack the immune system undetected for a long period of time. Until eventually the body can no longer fight off infections that your immune system can normally handle well. We then speak of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. For people with AIDS, the immune system is so weakened that a simple cold can quickly turn into a serious lung infection. The time until AIDS is diagnosed can be long, sometimes up to 10 years from the time of HIV infection.4
First a deadly, now a chronic disease
Science has transformed HIV from a serious, deadly disease to a manageable, chronic condition.4 Yet many people living with HIV are still not on treatment with viral inhibitors. Many do not have access to the treatment and resources needed for the best health outcomes. The stigma of HIV also plays a major role in the continuation of this crisis, affecting the diagnosis, care, and emotional well-being of people living with the disease.4 At Janssen, we are working to increase access to available treatment. This, along with education and empowerment, will help people living with HIV live their lives to the fullest.
From medicine cocktail to 1 pill a day
At Janssen, we are building on our 25-year commitment to making HIV a thing of the past. We are constantly working on innovative applications of HIV medicines to improve treatment and prevention. Although the control of the virus is important, we also focus on improving the quality of life of people with HIV. For example, we have succeeded in reducing the dosage frequency of treatment to just 1 pill per day. Among other things, this facilitates compliance and improves the treatment efficacy.
In addition, we are working with our worldwide partners on research into the treatment and prevention of HIV. We are striving for longer-acting drugs and alternative administration methods in order to minimize the impact of the treatment on the patient. We at Janssen are optimistic about the future - we have helped to change the impact of HIV and want to continue to do so.
Hiv advocacy
Making HIV and AIDS open for discussion is also important to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS. Advocacy organizations such as Sensoa and Plateforme Prévention SIDAplay an important role in this. Janssen supports the efforts of these HIV advocates and thanks them for this.
Meer informatie over Janssen
Read more about Infectious Diseases & Vaccins or about our activities in other fields of expertise. You can also learn more about Janssen's activities in Belgium and what working at Janssen is like. You can also follow us on social media on Twitter, Facebook en LinkedIn to keep up to date with current developments.
©Janssen-Cilag – EM-103388 – Approval date: 08-2022