RECOMMENDATIONS

Counseling and Education Before Initiating ART

  • Clinicians should counsel and educate patients regarding the following:
    • Basic information about HIV, CD4 cell count, viral load, and resistance (A3)
    • Available treatment options and potential risks and benefits of therapy (see text) (A3)
    • Optimal adherence requirements to avoid development of viral drug resistance (A2)
    • Use of safer-sex practices during the first 6 months after ART is started or until the patient’s viral load is suppressed, to prevent HIV transmission or superinfection (A3)
  • Clinicians should involve the patient in the decision-making process regarding initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). (A3)

From: Rapid ART Initiation

Cover of Rapid ART Initiation
Rapid ART Initiation [Internet].
Radix AE, Fine SM, Vail RM, et al.
Baltimore (MD): Johns Hopkins University; 2023 Feb.
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