What is the main goal of antiretroviral therapy for someone with HIV?

The primary objective of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for individuals with HIV is to prolong life by effectively decreasing the viral load. By reducing the amount of HIV in the blood to undetectable levels, ART helps to prevent the progression of the disease and significantly lowers the risk of transmitting the virus to others. This viral suppression allows the immune system to recover and maintain a level of function that can protect against opportunistic infections, even though complete restoration of immune function may not always occur.

While efforts are made to prevent opportunistic infections and manage the immune response, the main focus remains on attaining and maintaining an undetectable viral load. Additionally, while eliminating the virus entirely from the body is a goal in some research endeavors, it is not currently achievable through standard therapy.