How Do Pharmacological Treatments Impact Disease Transmission?

One of the primary goals of pharmacological treatments in epidemiology is to reduce disease transmission. By treating infected individuals, the infectious period is shortened, which in turn lowers the likelihood of transmission to others. For example, the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-infected individuals significantly reduces their viral load, making them less likely to transmit the virus. Similarly, antibiotics can cure bacterial infections, reducing the risk of spreading the bacteria to others.