DOWNLOAD: Adult Therapeutic Guidelines (PDF)
HIV treatment has evolved dramatically since highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was first introduced at the Vancouver International AIDS Conference in 1996. HIV infection has been transformed into a chronic, usually manageable condition, heightening the importance of informed treatment decisions. Expert use of HAART can provide durable viral suppression, immune reconstitution, and clinical benefit while minimizing drug resistance and potentially adding decades of acceptable quality of life.
These updated guidelines incorporate new drugs and monitoring strategies while reflecting the revised understanding of HIV as a chronic inflammatory disease, which has been shown to lead to organ dysfunction, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and a variety of cancers. Finally, the new guidelines incorporate, for the first time, the notion of an added preventive effect of HAART.
