It has been 45 years since the first medical report of AIDS was published in 1981.
Since then, the response to HIV has changed in remarkable ways.

In the early years, treatment options were very limited. The first HIV medicine became available in 1987, but it was not until the mid-1990s that combination treatments were developed. These treatments made it possible to control HIV and stop it from progressing to AIDS for many people.

Today, HIV treatment is simple, highly effective, and often comes as a single daily tablet. For many people, HIV can be managed as a long-term health condition. Long-acting treatments, such as injections given every few months, are also now available or in development, offering more choice for people living with HIV.

Prevention has also improved. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is very effective at preventing HIV when taken correctly. Newer options, including long-acting injections, are helping make prevention easier for more people.

Despite this progress, researchers are still working towards two major goals: a vaccine to prevent HIV and a cure that would remove the virus completely from the body. These remain complex challenges because HIV can hide in the body even when treatment is working well.

Some very early research is exploring new approaches, including immune-based treatments, but these are still in development and not yet available.
Experts say continued research is important to keep improving treatment, prevention, and access around the world.
At the same time, current treatments already mean people living with HIV can stay healthy, live long lives, and prevent HIV from being passed on.

The story of HIV is one of major progress and ongoing hope for the future.
Read More: poz.com/article/hiv-45-evolution-hiv-prevention-treatment-cure
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