HIV prompt treatment

Q: 44-year-old male is admitted to ICU with sepsis. Patient gets diagnosed with HIV. Prompt treatment of HIV applies to the start of antiretroviral therapy (ART) within which period of time? (select one)

A) same day
B) within three days
C) within a week


Answer: A

Prompt treatment for HIV applies to the initiation of ART on the same day of diagnosis if resources allow. In this regard, the availability of starter packs of an antiretroviral regimen is extremely important. Studies have shown that this approach is associated with higher adherence to treatment, decrease transmission, and most importantly a more rapid time for virologic suppression without major adverse effects. 

#infectious-diseases 


References:

1. Pilcher CD, Ospina-Norvell C, Dasgupta A, et al. The Effect of Same-Day Observed Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy on HIV Viral Load and Treatment Outcomes in a US Public Health Setting. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2017; 74:44. 

2. United States Department of Health and Human Services. Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents Living with HIV. https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines/html/1/adult-and-adolescent-arv/0 (Accessed on August 24, 2020).