HIV ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY

Course overview

A TYPICAL INITIAL HIV REGIMEN INCLUDES 3 HIV MEDICATIONS FROM A MINIMUM OF 2 DRUG CLASSES. ALTHOUGH THIS TREATMENT IS NOT CURATIVE, IT CAN PROVIDE LONGER LIVES FOR PATIENTS AND REDUCE HIV TRANSMISSION. THIS REDUCTION OF TRANSMISSION HAS BECOME A POPULAR USE OF ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY FOR HIV-POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS WITH AN HIV-NEGATIVE PARTNER. THE SUCCESSES OF ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY HAVE REDUCED HIV TO A CHRONIC CONDITION IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD AS PROGRESSION TO AIDS HAS BECOME RARE. STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT THE 3-DRUG REGIMEN HAS LED TO A 60% TO 80% DECLINE IN RATES OF AIDS, HOSPITALIZATION, AND DEATH. BY 2030 THE CDC PLANS TO IMPLEMENT A 90-90-90 PLAN (90% HIV DIAGNOSED, 90% ON THERAPY, AND 90% SUPPRESSED). THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND USE OF HIV ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN PROMOTING THEIR SAFETY.