No HIV/AIDS Vaccine Yet

The discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the cause of AIDS was followed by elucidation of its pathogenesis, natural history and epidemiology, the creation of a diagnostic blood test and the development of antiretroviral drugs.

In 1996, the approval of the first drug of a class called protease inhibitors led to the adoption of a multi-drug, anti-HIV regimen known as highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART. This advance dramatically transformed the quality of life and extended the life expectancy of HIV-infected individuals.