The HIV treatment is based on an antiretroviral therapy (ART), which means taking HIV-suppressing drugs and treatment of secondary disease to slow the progress. As the virus is quickly developing resistance to individual drugs, the HIV treatment needs to be changed. Therefore several medications were given. This method is called 'Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment' (HAART).

Antiretroviral therapy can significantly extend the life expectancy of HIV-infected people, but it can't complete erase the virus. It also can have serious side effects. Once started ART should not be discontinued, in order to prevent resistance. For the same reason, patients have to take tablets regularly.

This results in a high burden on the patient. The therapy enables to live as normal as possible.