The goal of this program is to familiarize nurses with all classes of antiretroviral medications and how highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has affected the incidence of morbidity and mortality associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. After you study the information presented here, you will be able to —

• Describe how the prophylaxis of key opportunistic infections and the use of antiretroviral agents introduced since 1996 have affected the trajectory and outcomes of HIV disease treatment.
• Discuss two categories of HIV patients who continue to be at risk for opportunistic infections and for progression to acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS).
• List at least three classes of antiretroviral medications now available, metabolic changes related to them and HIV disease, and morphological changes patients taking these medications might experience.