HIV Treatment in Resource-Limited Environments: An Approximate Dynamic Programming Approach

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and its cause, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), are significant public health concerns. By the end of 2005, there were 40 million people infected with HIV, 5 million new cases, and 3 million deaths from AIDS worldwide [6]. HIV attacks the CD4 white blood cells, damaging the immune system. As the virus depletes the patients CD4 count, the immune system deteriorates, and patients become more susceptible to opportunistic infections, such as pneumonia and malaria [5]. The transition from HIV to AIDS generally occurs when the patients CD4 count falls below 200cells/mm3 of blood, or approximately 15% of normal levels.