The goal of antiretroviral therapy is to improve survival and decrease morbidity via continuous maximum suppression of HIV replication. Developing an effective treatment strategy requires combining medical science with patient history and preferences. The most effective therapy requires simultaneous initiation of combinations of effective anti-HIV drugs with which the patient has not been previously treated. Women should receive optimal anti-retroviral therapy regardless of pregnancy status . Anti-retroviral therapy often requires patients to follow complicated pill taking regimens.
Adherence is essential to treatment success.
Clinical studies show that a significant portion of patients who are unable to follow the rigorous requirements of these regimens may ultimately fail therapy. Risks Before starting therapy, patients should understand the short term risks and benefits and the uncertainties of long term use. They should also understand how to adhere to the regimen. Therapy should not be initiated until treatment goals and the need for close adherence to a treatment regimen are understood and endorsed by the patient . Encouraging the active particiation of HIV-positive persons in their own treatment may help patients take medications more successfully.