Antiretroviral therapy administered within four months of HIV infection restores the immune system back to healthy levels, new research has shown.

A study of 468 patients over 48 months found patients who started therapy early demonstrated stronger and faster recovery of CD4+ T-cells, the specialised immune cells required to fight infection which are depleted during HIV infection.

The results indicate that through early therapy, full recovery of the CD4+ T-cell count could improve the immune system’s overall health and the individual’s capacity to fight off infection and disease.