From the Guidelines
HIV is not being cured naturally without drugs, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the most effective approach to manage the infection and prevent progression to AIDS. According to the most recent guidelines, ART is recommended for virtually all HIV-infected individuals, as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis 1. The virus integrates into the DNA of infected cells, creating reservoirs that persist even when viral loads are undetectable with treatment. While a person's immune system can fight the virus to some degree, it cannot eliminate HIV completely on its own.
Some key points to consider when treating HIV include:
- Early diagnosis and consistent adherence to antiretroviral therapy as prescribed by a doctor
- A combination of 3 or more antiretroviral medications taken daily, such as tenofovir, emtricitabine, and dolutegravir
- Regular monitoring of CD4 cell count, HIV RNA level, genotype, and other laboratory tests for general health and co-infections
- Adjusting the treatment regimen based on genotype results prior to ART initiation, as recommended in the 2020 guidelines 1
It's also important to note that stopping ART can lead to viral rebound and disease progression. Some people may promote unproven natural remedies, but these are not effective at curing HIV and should not be used in place of prescribed antiretroviral medications. The most effective approach is to follow the recommended treatment guidelines and work closely with a healthcare provider to manage the infection and prevent complications.
From the Research
Current State of HIV Cure Research
- There is currently no cure for HIV infection, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a lifelong treatment for people with HIV (PWH) 2.
- The main barrier to curing HIV is the establishment of a latent or "silent" infection in resting CD4+ T cells, which cannot be eliminated by antiviral agents or the immune system 3.
- Other obstacles impacting the curing of HIV include ageing populations, substance use, comorbidities, limited antiretroviral drug efficacy in CNS cells, and ART-associated neurotoxicity 2.
Potential Approaches to HIV Cure
- Some potential and promising approaches that may reduce the latent reservoir include very early initiation of cART and the use of agents that could potentially reverse latent infection 3.
- Agents that reverse latent infection, such as histone deacetylase inhibitors, may promote viral production, but simultaneous administration of cART can prevent subsequent rounds of viral replication 3.
- Medicinal plants have been studied and reported to have significant potential against HIV, with various phytoconstituents isolated from medicinal plants having the potential to interrupt the life cycle of HIV and act as immunomodulators 4.
Challenges and Limitations
- The central nervous system (CNS) viral reservoir poses a substantial challenge for HIV cure strategies, with macrophage type cells being a major obstacle 2.
- ART is not always effective in eliminating the virus from the CNS, and upon cessation or interruption, the virus quickly rebounds in plasma and anatomic sites, including the CNS 2.
- More studies are needed to reveal rigorous efficacy and safety concerns of medicinal plants in the management of HIV/AIDS, including clinical trials to explore therapeutic impact 4.