[Music] how does HIV treatment work antiretroviral treatment for HIV uses a combination of drugs which together stop HIV from making copies of itself this keeps the amount of virus in the body low and the immune system strong treatment doesn't cure the virus but it does keep it under control some people achieve an undetectable viral load which means that the virus exists in such small quantities in their body that it doesn't affect their health and there's zero risk of passing it on a viral load tests can confirm this the most important thing is that a person keeps taking their treatment as prescribed by their health professional if someone stops taking their treatment their viral load will go up again without treatment people living with HIV gets sick because their immune system gets damaged by HIV over time a health care professional should monitor treatment progress regularly they can help manage any side effects and make changes to treatment if needed treatment options are always improved and becoming easier to take effective treatment means that people living with HIV can lead long healthy lives [Music]