### Can HIV Be Cured?
Despite considerable research efforts, there currently isn’t a cure for HIV. However, the infection can be effectively managed with appropriate treatment. The majority of individuals with HIV can achieve viral suppression within six months of beginning medication. While these treatments do not offer protection against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), they can significantly slow down the virus’s progression and help maintain a low viral load in the body.
Is Early-Stage HIV Curable?
HIV has three stages: acute HIV infection, chronic HIV infection, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Being diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) means carrying a lifelong infection. Although a cure remains elusive, early treatment enables individuals to lead a near-normal life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), therapies like antiretroviral therapy (ART) can suppress the virus’s replication and reduce the viral load within the body.
HIV Medications
ART requires daily intake of a combination of HIV medicines. A standard HIV treatment regimen includes three different HIV medications from at least two distinct drug classes.
Here’s a list of FDA-approved HIV drugs:
- Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
- Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs)
- Protease Inhibitors
- Fusion Inhibitors
- CCR5 Antagonists
- Attachment Inhibitors
- Post-Attachment Inhibitors
- Pharmacokinetic Enhancers
- Combination HIV Medicines