Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

Today's ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) is known as HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) and consists of a combination of at least 3 different active substances. Over 20 different medicines are used. Successful ART depresses the viral load (concentration of HIV in the blood) below the detection level which indirectly increases the number of T-cells. Thus turning the infection into a chronic illness rather than a deadly one. As well as inhibiting the disease symtpoms the therapy also reduces the danger of passing on the infection.

All medicines work by hindering the replication of the HIV, however they are only effective long-term if taken on a daily basis.



ART hinders the replication of HIV, by blocking the enzymes of the helper cell (reverse transcriptase, protease, integrase).

Thanks to antiretroviral therapy people infected with HIV have a demonstrably longer and higher quality life. ART does not cure or completely eliminate the virus, thus the medication must be taken for the rest of the life. As soon as the medication is stopped or the virus becomes resistent to it, the viral population explodes. Even with treatment with ART more than 100 people die from AIDS each year in Switzerland.

Source: AIDS Information Switzerland
©Translation: AIDS Information Switzerland
last updated: November 2009