title: Current Scenario of HIV/AIDS, Treatment Options, and Major Challenges with Compliance to Antiretroviral Therapy.
abstract: The discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the causative organism of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the inability of modern medicine to find a cure for it has placed HIV as one of the most dreaded pathogens of the 21(st) century. With millions of people infected with HIV, it was once thought to result in "medical apocalypse". However, with the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), it is now possible to control HIV. Adherence to ART helps to keep the viral load under control and prolong the time of progression to AIDS, resulting in near normal life expectancy. Even with the introduction of ART, a substantial number of patients fail to adhere due to a variety of reasons, including adverse side effects, drug abuse, mental disorders, socioeconomic status, literacy, and social stigma. With the availability of so many options for HIV treatment at each stage of the disease progression, physicians can switch between the treatment regimens to avoid and/or minimize the adverse effects of drugs. Close monitoring, major social reforms, and adequate counselling should also be implemented to circumvent other challenges.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Capital Development Authority Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Adnan Bashir
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Bhatti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Jinnah Hospital Lahore (JHL)/Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC), Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Usman
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Venkataramana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kandi
keywords: aids; antiretroviral therapy; drug adverse effects; highly active antiretroviral therapy (haart); hiv; hiv/aids