Adult HIV Infection Treatment Update 2014: An Approach to HIV Infection Management and Antiretroviral Treatment

• The article highlights how ART has made it possible to extend HIV patients’ lives with multiple studies demonstrated a reduction in the risk of mortality and opportunistic infections.
• Measurements of plasma viral load decline after initiation of ART is the best predictor for improved HIV clinical outcome.
• The role of the nurse practitioner is critical in managing and coordinating patient care.

It is critically important to keep up with the continuous advances in HIV treatment. With the key understanding of viral replication, combination therapy, treatment failure, and drug toxicities, the nurse practitioner has the knowledge to assist in monitoring the HIV patient. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the general principles of HIV disease and antiretroviral therapy, clarify the nurse practitioner’s role in how to manage patients receiving these medications, and present useful guidelines.