THE LATEST World Well being Group (WHO) HIV pointers mark a big replace in world HIV care, reflecting advances in antiretroviral remedy, vertical transmission prevention, and tuberculosis (TB) administration. With practically 40 million folks dwelling with HIV worldwide and greater than 30 million on remedy by the top of 2024, the steerage goals to speed up progress in direction of ending AIDS as a public well being risk by 2030.
WHO HIV Tips Refine First- and Second-Line ART
Central to the up to date WHO HIV pointers is the continued advice of dolutegravir (DTG)-containing regimens as the popular possibility for first-line remedy and for people failing non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based remedy. For sufferers who expertise failure on DTG-containing regimens, protease inhibitors are actually emphasised as anchor medication, with darunavir/ritonavir recognized as the popular possibility.
Notably, the rules help recycling tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in subsequent regimens for adults and adolescents, and abacavir in kids, even after earlier remedy failure. This shift displays improved outcomes, programme simplicity, and potential price financial savings in contrast with switching to zidovudine-based regimens. The selection between TDF and TAF ought to be guided by medical and programmatic issues.
New Formulations and Lengthy-Performing Choices
The steerage highlights the rising function of simplified regimens, together with oral two-drug combos designed to scale back toxicity and enhance adherence, whereas acknowledging ongoing considerations about drug resistance. For the primary time, long-acting injectable antiretrovirals are advisable in particular circumstances, resembling for adults and adolescents who battle with adherence to day by day oral three-drug regimens.
Vertical Transmission Prevention
Regardless of main progress in stopping mother-to-child transmission, new toddler infections persist, notably postpartum. The WHO HIV pointers undertake a public well being strategy centred on each maternal and toddler wellbeing. Moms on efficient ART are supported to make knowledgeable decisions about breastfeeding, even the place nationwide insurance policies favour alternative feeding. Unique breastfeeding for six months, with continuation as much as 12 months or longer, stays advisable alongside acceptable prophylaxis.
All HIV-exposed infants ought to obtain 6 weeks of single-drug prophylaxis, ideally nevirapine. Enhanced triple-drug prophylaxis is suggested for infants at excessive danger when moms will not be on ART.
Tackling TB Alongside HIV
TB stays a number one explanation for dying amongst folks dwelling with HIV. The rules prioritise simplified TB preventive remedy, recommending 3 months of weekly isoniazid and rifapentine as the popular possibility, with options out there to go well with medical and programme wants.
Collectively, these updates will inform programme priorities, funding, and repair supply as they’re built-in into the consolidated WHO HIV pointers in 2026.
Reference
World Well being Group (WHO). WHO up to date suggestions on HIV medical administration: suggestions for a public well being strategy. Accessible at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/merchandise/9789240119468. Final accessed: 15 January 2026.
