Why are Antiretroviral Drugs Important in Epidemiology?

From an epidemiological perspective, antiretroviral drugs are crucial for both treatment and prevention. Effective treatment reduces the viral load in patients to undetectable levels, significantly lowering the risk of transmission. This concept, known as Treatment as Prevention (TasP), is pivotal in controlling the spread of HIV. Additionally, antiretroviral drugs are used in Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent infection in high-risk individuals and those who have been exposed to the virus, respectively.