What is the goal of ART in HIV infection?

• A. To cure HIV infection.
• B. To achieve and maintain viral suppression and restore/preserve immune function.
• C. To relieve symptoms only.
• D. To reduce opportunistic infections risk only.

Answer: (B)

The main goal of ART is to achieve and maintain viral suppression while restoring or preserving immune function. This means lowering HIV RNA to undetectable levels and allowing CD4 cells to recover or stay stable, which slows disease progression, reduces HIV-related complications, and lowers the risk of opportunistic infections. It also decreases the chance of transmitting the virus to others.

ART is not a cure; the virus generally persists in reservoirs, so treatment is lifelong. Therapies that aim only to relieve symptoms or only to reduce infection risk miss the broader purpose of controlling viral replication and protecting the immune system.