ART in pictures: HIV treatment explained

• Order print copies (free in UK)
• PDF January 2025 version (5 MB)
• Translation into Russian 

This resource explains some of the ideas and science behind HIV and treatment.

Contents

• Introduction
• The immune system in overdrive
• The HIV lifecycle
• The HIV lifecycle in detail
• The natural history of HIV without ART 
• The natural history in detail
• HIV after starting ART 
• HIV after starting ART in detail
• Drug levels and adherence 
• Drug adherence in detail
• The viral reservoir 
• The HIV cure puzzle 
• Understanding test results 
• References and further information 
• Glossary
• Feedback 
• PDFs and downloads
• Credits

Written and edited by Simon Collins for HIV i-Base. ISBN: 978-0-9553619-1-3.

Thanks to the advisory group of HIV positive people and healthcare professionals for comments including advocates at i-Base, Positively UK and Project 100. Proofreading by Roy Trevelion and layout by Jane Shepherd.

Additional graphics from three artworks by John Walter (aliensexclub.com), photographed by Jonathan Bassett. 1. John Walter, HIV Capsid, laser cut card and glue, 2015. 2. John Walter, Popcorn Fannypack is Confused at How Green Trimminz can Wear His Blinkers without Fear of Transmission as he Treads the Astroturf Labyrinth, (detail), Ink and watercolour on paper, 2015. 3. John Walter, Wayne Gibbous Stands Guard Against the Virus in the Intestine Corridor, (detail), Ink and watercolour, 2015.

Thanks to Monument Trust and MAC AIDS Fund for supporting i-Base publications.

About our guides

Information about how we produced this guide and the importance of using language that is direct and easy to understand. This includes information on how to write non technical medical information that may be useful as a resource for other organisations.

Last updated: 1 January 2025.