Haart

Haart or Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy is a form of treatment for HIV/AIDS. It involves the combination of at least three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to maximally suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of HIV disease.

History

The term Haart was first used in 1996 during the 11th International AIDS Conference in Vancouver. The introduction of Haart has significantly reduced the rates of mortality and morbidity due to HIV/AIDS.

Treatment

Haart aims to achieve an undetectable viral load. A patient's viral load is considered "undetectable" when the amount of HIV in the blood is so low that it can't be measured. Haart is not a cure for HIV, but it can keep HIV under control.

Medications

Haart regimens are typically composed of three medications from at least two different classes. These classes include:

• Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
• Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)
• Protease Inhibitors (PIs)
• Integrase Inhibitors
• Fusion Inhibitors
• CCR5 Antagonists

Side Effects

Like all medications, Haart can have side effects. These can range from mild, such as fatigue and nausea, to severe, such as liver damage and heart disease. It's important for patients to discuss potential side effects with their healthcare provider.

Adherence

Adherence to Haart is crucial. Missing doses can lead to drug resistance, which can limit future treatment options.

See Also

• Antiretroviral drug
• HIV/AIDS
• HIV treatment

Haart Resources
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