John S. James

Treatments involving combinations of several drugs have significantly reduced HIV levels in many patients and have stopped further replication of the virus. In the following viewpoint, John S. James argues that with further research and progress, the use of drug combinations could eventually render HIV a treatable, nondeadly disease. He contends that it is conceivable that drug combination treatments might even eradicate HIV from infected individuals. James is the editor of the biweekly newsletter AIDS Treatment News, published in San Francisco.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In James’s opinion, what is the “major problem” in treating HIV?
2. What is the emerging philosophy in HIV treatment, according to the author?
3. According to James, what practice should doctors and patients rethink"

Today there is more optimism among leading...