The Source of New HIV Infections are People not being Treated or Unaware of their Status

Abstract

The advent of antiretroviral therapy has represented a major breakthrough in infectious diseases. The use of HAART prevents HIV disease progression and restores immunity in HIV carriers. In addition, further transmissions are halted (treatment as prevention [TAP]). More recently, the use of antiretrovirals by uninfected individuals at risk (pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP]) has shown to drastically reduce the chances of HIV acquisition. Despite all these tremendous advances, the figures for the HIV pandemic remain dreadful, with estimates of 38 million people living with HIV worldwide and 1.8 million new infections occurring each year. Looking at this scenario, the call from the UNAIDS toward a 95-95-95 goal for 2030 seems unachievable, unless new strategies are set up.