Up until 1991, there was only 1 FDA-approved drug for HIV treatment. In 1992, a new drug was approved by the FDA, and the 2 drugs could be used together to treat HIV. This led to the idea of using a combination of drugs to fight HIV and as a result, several other new types of drugs were discovered. Today, drug combinations commonly include 3 or more anti-HIV drugs.

HAART Has Changed the Focus of HIV Therapy

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy or HAART is the phrase used to describe a combination therapy that includes 3 or more anti-HIV drugs. HAART and continuing research have resulted in an increase in survival among people with HIV. In fact, since 1995, the introduction of HAART and the discovery of new drugs has resulted in a dramatic decline in deaths linked to HIV infection. The use of HAART has also caused the focus of treatment to shift from treating AIDS, which is far less common, to treating the more common long-term conditions seen in the increasing number of HIV+ long-term survivors.