Taking Antiretroviral Drugs For HIV Infection: What Is Antiretroviral Therapy
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What is antiretroviral therapy?
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is the use of 3 or more antiretroviral drugs. It is the standard treatment for HIV infection. Antiretroviral drugs attack the virus at different stages in its life cycle. HAART helps prevent HIV from multiplying and helps the immune system stay healthy.
Treatment with antiretroviral drugs is usually offered when:
- HIV-related infections, such as pneumonia, or certain cancers develop.
- Mild "non-AIDS" symptoms of HIV develop.
- CD4+ cell count drops below 350 cells per microliter (mcL). Some experts may wait for a lower CD4+ count before recommending treatment.
- You are willing and able to take your medicine as prescribed.
You should not start antiretroviral therapy until you have considered the benefits and risks of treatment and discussed all the issues with your doctor.
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Why is it important to take antiretroviral therapy drugs exactly as prescribed?
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Taking antiretroviral drugs for HIV infection
| Last updated: | June 06, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman |
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