When should HIV treatment begin?
People with HIV should start taking HIV medicines as soon as possible after an HIV diagnosis. It is especially important for people with AIDS-defining conditions or early HIV infection to start HIV medicines right away. (Early HIV infection is the period up to 6 months after infection with HIV.)
At what stage can HIV be treated?
Start HIV treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis. All people with HIV should take HIV treatment, no matter how long they've had HIV or how healthy they are. Talk to your health care provider about any medical conditions or other medicines you are taking.
At what CD4 count should ART be initiated?
As a priority, ART should be initiated among all adults with severe or advanced HIV clinical disease (WHO clinical stage 3 or 4) and adults with CD4 count ≤350 cells/mm3 (strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence).
What is considered early treatment for HIV?
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for all persons with HIV, including those with earlya HIV infection (AI). ART should be initiated as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis (AII). The goals of ART are to suppress plasma HIV RNA to undetectable levels (AI) and to prevent transmission of HIV (AI).
At what CD4 level should antiviral therapy start?
START (Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Therapy) is a clinical trial enrolling patients with CD4 counts more than 500 cells/μL and randomizing them to either immediate therapy or deferral of therapy until the CD4 count is less than 350 cells/μL.
When should you start ART?
Initiate ART for all HIV-infected children between 12 and 24 months of age irrespective of CD4 count or WHO clinical stage. 3. Initiate ART for all HIV-infected children between 24 and 59 months of age with CD4 count ≤750 cells/mm3 or %CD4+ ≤25, whichever is lower, irrespective of WHO clinical stage.
What is the most important factor to consider when deciding to initiate ARV therapy?
[17,18] Regardless of CD4 cell count, the decision to initiate ART should always include consideration of any co-morbid conditions, the willingness and readiness of the patient to initiate therapy, and the availability of resources.