Since the first HIV tests were introduced in the UK 30 years ago, the treatments have taken huge steps forward. Here’s a brief rundown of some significant steps on the way to helping people living with the condition lead long and full lives:
1987: AZT, the first drug approved to treat HIV, is introduced. It reduces the death rate of HIV-positive people, but is unpredictable and causes severe side effects
1997: HAART treatment (highly active anti-retroviral therapy) is introduced as standard in the west. It decreases the patient’s total burden of HIV, maintains function of the immune system, and prevents opportunistic infections that often lead to death – all but stopping AIDS in its tracks
2005: Anti-retroviral post-exposure prophylaxis (PeP) begins being recommended for people exposed to HIV
2014: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis – an optional treatment for people who may be at risk of being exposed to HIV – is introduced in the UK in trials
Today: The most common treatments for people just diagnosed with HIV involve taking just one or two pills a day
