The first approved treatment for HIV, AZT, became available in 1987. To date, there are approximately 30 additional approved drugs that have prolonged the lives of those infected with HIV. Antiretrovirals (ARVs), Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART or ART), and “the cocktail” are some of the most common and effective treatments.
HIV treatment drugs are available in five different classes: each class attacking the virus at different stages in its cycle. Because of this, the treatment regimen for HIV patients can be strict, but it is of utmost importance for maintaining a healthy immune system and limiting the amount of virus in one’s body.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine people at risk for HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html