Rapid Advice: Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Infection in Adults and Adolescents

The guideline Antiretroviral therapy for hiv infection in adults and adolescents, developed by World Health Organization (WHO), was first published in 2002, simplified in 2003 and was updated in 2006. The guideline continues to follow the principles of a public health approach, aiming to optimize outcomes, including the quality of life and survival, of people living with HIV (PLHIV), and to act as a reference tool for countries to adopt and adapt according to their national circumstances.

During 2009, WHO has worked to update the guideline through a series of coordinated efforts to review and synthesize emerging evidence on when to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART), what drug regimens to use, and the management of co-infections and treatment failure. This evidence has been assembled following systematic reviews, GRADE* profile preparation and analysis, consultations with PLHIV, cost and economic impact studies, country-level feasibility assessment, and comparisons of current country guidelines.