Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)
The evolution of HIV treatment from the early days of anti-HIV therapy to the advent of HAART has had a profound impact on the HIV+ community. The most significant change has been the dramatic increase in survival rates among HIV+ patients since the introduction of protease inhibitors (PIs) and combination HIV therapy in 1995. In fact, between 1995 and 1997, deaths associated with HIV infection fell by 47%. Another notable milestone resulting from increased survival was the transition in the primary focus of HIV treatment from AIDS-defining conditions, such as Pneumocystis jirovecii (pneumonia) and Kaposi's sarcoma, to long-term comorbidities, such as diabetes and hypertension.
The state of HAART today
Despite these advances, the HAART era of HIV treatment is by no means without its challenges, including the cost of treatment, factors influencing adherence, treatment side effects, and viral resistance. These challenges have led to a variety of social programs and research designed to address the modern concerns facing HIV treatment. Medication cost has led to the development of public-assistance programs and patient-assistance programs. Studies have been conducted to analyze patient compliance and factors that enhance adherence. The previously unknown long-term side effects have led healthcare providers to explore additional therapy options. Viral resistance has driven product development in all classes of existing HIV medication, as well as leading to the development of new classes of HIV medications. The remainder of this section is designed to provide a brief overview of each class of antiretroviral drugs, including a complete list of those currently available.