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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a chronic, life-threatening condition. The virus damages the immune system, interfering with the body's ability to fight infections and diseases. HIV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It can also be transmitted by contact with infected blood or from mother to child during pregnancy. There is no cure for HIV, but with medications, HIV can be controlled. Oral medications can also dramatically slow the progression of HIV/AIDS.
Once you get infected, your body cannot get rid of the virus. However, there are medications that can help control the infection and prevent further complications. These medications are known as antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART is a combination of three or more HIV medications from different drug classes. The aims to lower the viral load in the blood. Some of the HIV drugs include non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), and integrase inhibitors.