HIV infection inside the body causes many illnesses and problems. Doctors the world over have been successful in developing and producing medicines which are responsible for HIV treatment. HIV treatment may be defined as the use of HIV medication to keep an HIV infected person healthy. The treatment can help people at all stages of the infection. HIV treatment is used to treat the HIV infection and is not responsible for curing the same. The processes involved in the treatment are also complicated ones and are tailored according to a person’s requirement.

In a span of last ten years, the researchers and the doctors have made powerful drugs which check the multiplication of the virus at the different stages of its development. These drugs are known as the Anti-retroviral drugs. These are also responsible for slowing down or halting the progression of HIV-related diseases. These drugs are used in combinations and these medications are termed as the HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy). HAART is a combination of three or more anti-HIV medications in a daily routine, and is referred to as a "cocktail". They do not cure HIV infection and individuals in such conditions can transmit the virus to others HAART has revolutionalized how people infected with HIV are treated. HAART works by suppressing the virus and decreasing the rate of opportunistic infections. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) they are of the following four types:

HIV TREATMENT EFFECTS ON OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS
People infected with HIV have a weakened immune system that leaves them susceptible to opportunistic infections (OIs) or other co-infections, caused by a wide range of microorganisms such as protozoa, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. For example: hepatitis C virus infection, which can lead to liver cancer.

SIDE EFFECTS OF HIV TREATMENT
Some people taking antiretroviral drugs may have allergies with the complicated drug regimens. Current recommended regimens include taking several antiretroviral drugs each day from at least two different classes, some of which may cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea and vomiting. In addition, antiretroviral drugs may cause some serious medical problems, like metabolic changes such as abnormal fat distribution, abnormal lipid and glucose metabolism, and bone loss. Some vaccines are also under development for the treatment of the infection. The HIV treatment only includes treatment and not the cure for the infection.