From Perplexity A.I. How has the consensus on immune activation in HIV changed clinical care? The shift in scientific consensus recognizing chronic immune activation and inflammation as central to HIV disease has substantially changed clinical care. Treatment is no longer focused solely on suppressing viral replication; clinicians now prioritize early antiretroviral therapy (ART), monitoring markers of inflammation, and managing non-AIDS comorbidities linked to immune dysregulation. Earlier Initiation of ART Understanding that chronic immune activation begins early in infection, guidelines now recommend starting ART as soon as possible, rather than waiting for CD4 counts to fall, to reduce inflammation and prevent irreversible immune system damage. Broadened Monitoring and Management Clinicians monitor not just viral load and CD4 counts but also inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein, sCD14), recognizing their predictive value for cardiovascular, metabolic, and ne...