HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks the immune system, leaving individuals susceptible to infections and other diseases. Over the years, tremendous progress has been made in the field of HIV treatment. From the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the 1990s to the development of new drugs and treatment strategies in recent years, advancements in HIV treatment have transformed the lives of millions of people living with HIV.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with HIV, it's important to understand the current state of HIV treatment and how it can help manage the virus. In this blog, we'll explore some of the recent advancements in HIV treatment that you need to know.

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)






Antiretroviral therapy, or ART, is a combination of medications used to suppress the HIV virus in the body. ART has been the standard treatment for HIV since the mid-1990s and has been proven to be highly effective in reducing the level of virus in the blood and preventing the progression of the disease. In recent years, newer ART drugs have been developed, which are more effective, have fewer side effects, and can be taken less frequently.

One of the major advancements in ART has been the development of single-tablet regimens (STRs). STRs are combinations of three or more antiretroviral drugs that are combined into a single pill. They are highly effective in suppressing the virus and have made treatment more convenient for people living with HIV. With STRs, people only need to take one pill per day, which can improve adherence to treatment.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a daily pill taken by HIV-negative individuals to reduce their risk of getting HIV. PrEP has been shown to be highly effective in preventing HIV transmission, with studies reporting up to a 99% reduction in HIV risk when taken as directed. PrEP is currently recommended for people at high risk of getting HIV, such as individuals with a partner living with HIV or those who engage in high-risk sexual behavior.

In recent years, new forms of PrEP have been developed, including long-acting injectable PrEP and on-demand PrEP. Long-acting injectable PrEP involves receiving an injection of medication every two months, while on-demand PrEP involves taking medication only around the time of sexual activity. These new forms of PrEP offer more options for individuals who may have difficulty adhering to a daily pill regimen.

Treatment as Prevention (TasP)

Treatment as prevention, or TasP, is an approach to HIV treatment that involves starting ART as soon as possible after diagnosis. By suppressing the virus in the body, TasP can reduce the level of HIV in the blood and other bodily fluids, making it less likely that the virus will be transmitted to others. TasP has been shown to be highly effective in reducing HIV transmission, with studies reporting up to a 96% reduction in transmission among serodiscordant couples (where one partner is living with HIV and the other is not).

In addition to reducing HIV transmission, TasP has other benefits for individuals living with HIV. By starting treatment early, TasP can help preserve the immune system and reduce the risk of developing other illnesses associated with HIV. TasP can also improve the overall health and quality of life of individuals living with HIV.

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is a promising new approach to HIV treatment that involves altering the genetic makeup of cells to make them resistant to the virus. One type of gene therapy being developed for HIV involves using CRISPR-Cas9, a gene-editing tool, to remove the CCR5 gene from immune cells.