[HIV--from a lethal disease to a chronic illness].

Combination anti-HIV therapies revolutionized patient life expectancy in the mid-1990's. Afterwards, in the early 2000's, research focused on the adverse effects caused by HIV drugs. Among these, the most serious ones are myocardial infarction at young age, disturbances of kidney function, liver disorders, pancreatitis and osteoporosis. The worsening of prognosis, for instance in respect of cardiac diseases, observed approximately five years ago in patients due to pauses in HIV medication, has changed perspective. Currently it is being discussed whether the overall prognosis will be improved with HIV medication started as early as possible.