Initiation of HIV Treatment

Initiation of HIV Treatment

Treatment should be started in all people with AIDS defining illnesses or with a CD4 count of 350 or less.

In pregnant women, people with HIV kidney disease, and hepatitis B needing hepatitis treatment, HIV treatment should be started.

There is mixed opinion on starting HIV treatment in people with CD4 counts from 350 to 500 and in people with CD4 counts above 500. In fact, the panel that develops the HIV treatment guidelines are split 50-50 over whether treatment should begin when CD4 counts are above 350.

What Drugs Should be Used

As is the case with the WHO HIV treatment guidelines, recommended therapies are based on a growing pool of clinical trial data proving a regimen's efficacy and durability. As new medications and regimens are developed older regimens are moved from preferred to alternative status. The trend is for the most "patient-friendly" regimens that offer the fewest side effects with the greatest chance of adherence and therefore success.