Antiretroviral therapy “à la carte”

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 41 million people are currently living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide. Every year, about 1.3 million new infections occur (UNAIDS 2025). Antiretroviral treatment has improved dramatically over the past 30 years, so that there are hardly any cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in people with access to the medication.
Antiretroviral therapy is able to almost completely suppress viral replication and prevent the progression of immunodeficiency in most persons infected with HIV. However, these medications do not eliminate the viral infection, so if treatment is discontinued, HIV reactivates, and the risk of AIDS reappears. Thus, adequate adherence to treatment, without forgetting to take it, is important to avoid selection of resistance to antiretroviral drugs and disease progression.