Current HIV Treatments

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps control HIV, allowing people to live long, healthy lives. ART reduces the virus to undetectable levels, but it doesn't eliminate it. HIV can hide in reservoirs within the body and become active again if treatment stops. While ART is effective, researchers are working toward a cure to eliminate the virus entirely.

Scientists envision two types of cures: treatment-free remission and viral eradication. Treatment-free remission means controlling HIV without daily ART, while viral eradication aims to remove all traces of the virus. Both approaches could improve quality of life and reduce the need for lifelong medication.

Researchers are exploring therapies, such as gene editing, which can add protective genes or remove harmful ones. Immunotherapy, used in cancer treatments, may help the immune system fight HIV. Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, similar to COVID-19 vaccines, is also being studied to target HIV reservoirs and boost immune responses.

Starting ART soon after infection may limit HIV reservoirs and protect the immune system. Some people who began treatment early have controlled the virus without ART, offering insights for future cures. Early diagnosis and treatment remain critical for managing HIV and improving outcomes.

HIV's ability to hide in reservoirs and mutate quickly makes it hard to target. The virus also weakens the immune system, complicating vaccine development. Practical challenges include raising funding, improving research participation, and ensuring future cures are accessible and affordable worldwide.

While a cure isn't here yet, progress is being made. Trusted sources, such as the CDC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), provide updates on HIV research. If you're interested in clinical trials, talk to your doctor or visit the Office of AIDS Research website to learn more about ongoing studies.