HIV remains a public health issue even though the number of new HIV infections peaked at 3.2 million in 1996 and decreased by 54% to 1.5 million individuals in 2021. Currently, not all individuals who know their HIV status are accessing treatment; 92% of the individuals who are accessing treatment were virally suppressed.
Since the introduction of the first antiretroviral therapy (ART) zidovudine for HIV in 1987, significant advances in the efficacy and safe profiles of ART have occurred. Introduction of a three-drug ART regimen in 1996 largely overcame prior limitations of single- and two-drug regimens involving the development of resistance. Three-drug regimens have become the standard of care for people living with HIV (PLWH), transitioning infection with HIV to a manageable chronic disease for PLWH who achieve durable virologic suppression in response to ART. Furthermore, increasing clinical evidence demonstrates that PLWH who achieve and maintain undetectable viral load by taking ART may not sexually transmit the virus to others. For example, studies have shown that early initiation of ART in serodiscordant heterosexual couples limits HIV-1 transmission.
How much do you know about ART in patients who are ART-naive? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz.
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Cite this: Enrico Brunetti. Fast Five Quiz: Antiretroviral Therapy for Individuals Who Are ART-Naive - Medscape - Aug 04, 2023.
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