Q: What is ARV?

A: The drugs used to treat HIV are called antiretroviral drugs (ARVs).

Q: What are the benefits of ARV's?

A: HIV medications can help lower your viral load, fight infections, and improve your quality of life. They can lower your chances of transmitting HIV. ARV drugs do not ‘kill’ HIV virus but prevent HIV virus from multiplying and destroying infection-fighting CD4 (soldier of the body) cells. CD4 cells are an important part of the immune system because they fight germs and infection. This helps the body fight off life-threatening infections and cancer. 

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved more than two dozen antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV infection. They're often broken into six groups because they work in different ways. Doctors recommend taking a combination or"cocktail" of at least two of them. This is called antiretroviral therapy, or ART.

Q: What is the goal of the treatment?

A: Control the growth of the virus, improve how well your immune system works, Slow or stop symptoms, Prevent transmission of HIV to others. Although the anti-HIV medication cannot cure HIV infection, ARV stops the HIV virus from causing damage to the body. Early detection of HIV and starting ARV immediately will lead to a good life. Your doctor will let you know specifically how you should take your medications. You need to follow the directions exactly, and you shouldn't miss even one dose.

Q: What causes HIV drug resistance?

A: If you miss doses, you could develop drug-resistant strains of HIV, and your medication may stop working. Drug resistance to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major factor in the failure of antiretroviral therapy that is why adherence to the medication is vital. Moreover, a continuous supply of antiretroviral drugs is essential to avoid treatment interruption and prevent the emergence and spread of HIV drug resistance. ART generally works well in keeping the virus suppressed and the patient healthy. However, treatment only works as long as the virus is not resistant to the drugs used. 

ARV treatment doesn’t cure you of HIV, it only helps to keep the infection under control so that you can stay healthy for as long as possible. If you do not take your ARVs as prescribed, you’re putting yourself in danger. 

Q: What is the importance of taking ARV’s?

A: Effective antiretroviral therapy is the most important intervention in terms of improving longevity and preventing opportunistic infections in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Studies show that people with HIV live much longer due to ARV than those who are not taking ARVs. If you have been taking HIV medication (ARV drugs) consistently, your viral load will be very low or undetectable, this will eventually mean that you will not pass/transmit HIV to your sexual partners and children during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.