When talking about antiretroviral therapy, a set of medicines that stop HIV from replicating and keep the immune system working. Also known as ART, it is the backbone of modern HIV care. Antiretroviral therapy isn’t a single drug; it’s a strategy that combines several agents to hit the virus from different angles. HIV, the virus that attacks the immune system lives inside white blood cells, and without treatment it lowers the CD4 count, a measure of immune health over time. The goal of ART is to keep the viral load—how much virus is in the blood—undetectable, which in turn protects the CD4 count and reduces the risk of opportunistic infections.
ART “covers” three main ideas: combination therapy, using at least three drugs from different classes to prevent the virus from mutating, regular viral load monitoring, blood tests that show if the virus is suppressed, and awareness of drug resistance, when HIV changes and some meds stop working. A typical semantic triple looks like this: Antiretroviral therapy requires viral load monitoring to confirm that combination therapy is effective. Another connection is: Drug resistance influences the choice of ART regimens, meaning doctors may swap one drug for another if tests show the virus is adapting. Finally, keeping the CD4 count high is a direct result of successful ART, which underscores why adherence—taking every pill on schedule—is crucial.
Below you’ll find a curated mix of articles that dive deeper into each piece of the puzzle. Whether you’re curious about the latest drug combos, need tips on monitoring viral load at home, or want to understand how resistance testing works, the posts ahead break down the science into plain language and practical steps. Let’s explore the range of resources that can help you or someone you care about stay on top of antiretroviral therapy.
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