Introduction HIV has become a chronic, manageable condition since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) which improved substantially the life expectancy of HIV-infected individuals. As a result, many people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who are infected early in the course of their lives are confronted with the similar effects of ageing as the […]
Introduction Twenty years into the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, the pace of new drug development has not slowed. Compared to its first generation, HAART of today has become more tolerable, convenient, resilient and, at the same time, less toxic. The trend of increasing rates of viral suppression has become evident.[1] Lifelong successful therapy […]
Introduction Although the very first antiretroviral regimen for a treatment-naive patient is designed for the long term, changes may be necessary with time as indicated by clinical needs or simply patient preference. With the current generation of drugs, virologic suppression is now almost taken for granted. This is followed by immunologic and clinical recovery. As […]
Introduction Taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is a long-term commitment which, once started, need to be continued over one’s lifetime. To achieve maximum effectiveness, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) must take all the prescribed medications regularly and almost at the same time every day.[1] Adherence to HAART is associated with a positive response to […]
Introduction Treatment of HIV infection has been revolutionalised by the regular use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This is supported by the measurement of CD4 count and viral loads, which are now the standard monitoring tools in clinical services. These routine investigations serve to track progress and inform responses. To further optimise current therapy, […]
Introduction As a result of the improved quality of life and survival benefits brought forth by the use of effective antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are leading relatively normal life. Travel is now more common for PLWHA, especially from developed countries to tropical and subtropical areas of the world.[1] This trend has created […]
Introduction The use of effective and durable combination antiretroviral therapy, or highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has allowed us to witness successful long-term control of viral replication and prevention of AIDS-defining complications in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). However, non-AIDS-related comorbidities began to emerge as a result of direct viral effects with ongoing inflammation and […]
Background HIV is a neurotropic virus which invades the central nervous system (CNS) from the time of primary infection. HIV-associated dementia (HAD) is an AIDS defining illness (ADI), and milder or asymptomatic forms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are increasingly recognised. On the other hand, neurological symptoms and cognitive impairment in HIV-infected individuals may also […]
Introduction Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV/AIDS patients leads to dramatic reductions in plasma viral load and improvement in CD4 cell counts which translate clinically to reduction in the frequency of opportunistic infections (OI) and prolonged survival. However, some patients experience clinical deterioration as a consequence of rapid and dysregulated restoration of antigen specific immune responses […]
Epidemiology of skin diseases in HIV/AIDS Skin disorders are commonly encountered in HIV-infected patients, and they may be the first manifestation of HIV disease. Up to 90% of HIV-infected persons suffer from skin problem during their course of illness.[1] The frequency and distribution of dermatologic diseases in HIV infection vary widely. This can be partially […]
