Antiretroviral therapy for HIV prevention

Impact of treatment on prevention

The use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV transmission is emerging as a potential new set of interventions for the prevention portfolio. Antiretroviral drugs, combined with HIV testing of pregnant women and appropriate infant feeding practices, are already being used to prevent HIV transmission from pregnant women to their children. Guidance also exists on the use of antiretroviral drugs for post-exposure prophylaxis, and research is ongoing on their use for pre-exposure prophylaxis. Studies have also provided observational evidence that antiretroviral therapy may reduce the sexual transmission of HIV in generalized epidemics, especially among discordant couples.

Some recent research studies have modelled the effects of antiretroviral therapy on HIV prevention. They have estimated that expanding antiretroviral therapy can substantially reduce the growth of the epidemic and related costs.