How effective is antiretroviral therapy?

The long-term goal of HIV therapy is to improve health and prolong life. However, HIV disease can take years or decades to progress to the point of AIDS-defining illness or death. Because researchers and patients do not want to wait this long to see if a treatment is working, clinical trials of new therapies look at short-term markers of response, namely HIV viral load (which shows whether the virus is replicating) and CD4 cell count (an indicator of immune function).

Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.