ALL DEFINITIONS

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

Definition

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a medical treatment that involves the use of a combination of antiretroviral drugs to suppress the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the body. This therapy helps to slow down the progression of HIV, improve immune function, and reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

AIDS Care Program
Established in 1984 in response to the increasing number of individuals being treated for HIV/AIDS at Yale New Haven Hospital, our AIDS Care Program offers comprehensive services for adults, adolescents, and children with HIV. We provide primary and consultative medical care, counseling and testing, social services, patient and family support groups, and women's health services. Our participating physicians are board certified in internal medicine and infectious disease. In addition to routine diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care, specialty services are available in psychiatry, neurology, hematology, dermatology, women's health, and substance use counseling. Adult patients requiring hospitalization are admitted to an inpatient unit at Yale New Haven Hospital dedicated to the care of patients with HIV and AIDS. We offer clinical trials offering new and promising therapies for HIV and its complications. Individuals enrolling in these programs may receive their continuing care from their own provider or be monitored at the hospital. We hold weekly AIDS conferences to keep up to date on the newest therapies in HIV prevention and public health strategies, as well as to discuss complicated multidisciplinary cases. Our specialized services include: Outpatient, primary, and consultative HIV care Infusion therapies Subspecialty consultation in dermatology, neurology, psychiatry, women's health, and substance abuse Experimental therapies HIV counseling and testing Testing Rapid HIV testing, which is available to adults and teens who are registered with our Primary Care Center and Women’s Center. Early detection is important for better health outcomes. Adult Outpatient Care In addition to comprehensive HIV specialty/primary care, our clinic offers psychiatry/mental health support, social work, nursing, neurology, gynecology, and hepatitis C treatment for those who need it. We offer HIV care for pregnant women in collaboration with Yale obstetric and pediatric services. Pediatric AIDS Care Program We provide specialized medical, nursing, and social care for children and teenagers living with HIV/AIDS, as well as a transitional program for young adults into adult care. We also follow pregnant HIV-positive mothers who are in the care of the Adult Outpatient Clinic, including screening newborns. The Pediatric AIDS Care Clinic is located in the Pediatric Specialty Center at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital. Appointments may be made by calling the YM CARE Center at 1-877-925-3637 (1-877-YALE MDS).