Archive · 23 Dec 2025
ART Reduces Pneumonia and Shingles Risk in HIV Patients
People with HIV who take medicine called antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least a year can have a stronger immune system.
This means they are less likely to get pneumonia or shingles.
When their immune system is strong, with a CD4 count of 500 or more, they get these infections much less often.
Pneumonia happens in 5 to 20 out of 1,000 people, and shingles in 4 to 5 out of 1,000 people in this group.
People with HIV who take ART for at least a year and achieve a CD4 count of 500 cells/µL or higher have a lower risk of pneumonia and shingles.
Pneumonia rates in this group are 5 to 20 cases per 1,000 people per year.
Herpes zoster (shingles) rates in this group are 4 to 5 cases per 1,000 people per year.
The reduced risk is attributed to immune recovery from long-term ART.
The study highlights the importance of consistent ART treatment for people with HIV.
- Who
- People with HIV
- What
- Reduced risk of pneumonia and shingles
- When
- After at least one year of ART
- Where
- Not specified
- Why
- Due to immune recovery with ART
- Condition
- HIV
- Treatment
- Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
- CD4 Count
- 500 cells/µL or higher
- Duration
- At least one year
- Pneumonia Rate
- 5 to 20 cases per 1,000 people per year
- Herpes Zoster Rate
- 4 to 5 cases per 1,000 people per year