Tag: Viral mutations

According to a 2021 WHO report, the global rise of HIV drug resistance is a major challenge in managing the epidemic. This trend has prompted a common question: **Can you become immune to antivirals?** The answer is no, your body does not develop immunity; instead, the virus itself can evolve to become resistant to the medication. This distinction is critical for understanding the complexities of treating viral infections.

Since the widespread implementation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the mid-1990s, the lives of millions with HIV have been saved. However, a growing challenge is the emergence of HIV drug resistance, prompting the critical question: what causes resistance to ARV drugs? This complex issue involves viral, patient, and treatment-related factors that collectively threaten the effectiveness of life-saving therapy.