The main objective of treatment of HIV infection is to reduce the mortality and morbidity caused by the virus and associated conditions, increasing survival, improving the quality of life and preventing HIV transmission.

HIV treatment involves the use of combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) to effectively suppress the viral load, preserve (or improve) immune function and reduce the risk of opportunistic infections and cancers commonly associated with HIV. People living with HIV are more likely than others to become sick with tuberculosis (TB), which is one of the leading causes of death in this population. HIV suppression with ART also decrease the inflammation caused by the immune activation  associated with chronic HIV infection that contribute with an increased occurrence of cardiovascular, renal, neurological and other end-organ diseases that are prevalent in people living with HIV.

In individuals with advanced HIV disease, the use of certain antimicrobials for prevention and treatment of common opportunistic infections is also an essential part of the care package. Adherence to ART is important to maximize the clinical benefits on mortality and morbidity, and to reduce the risk of drug resistance. ART regimens has evolved in the last years and are more potent, better tolerated and available in fixed-dose combinations for adults adolescents and children, which further support adherence and increase the efficacy and durability of the treatment.

To optimize the programmatic impact of HIV treatment and promote efficiency gains, the use of person-centred, differentiated care models has been adopted by countries, reducing the  HIV disease burden on health systems and improving patient’s quality of care.