I appreciate the importance of Anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs in the management of HIV/AIDS. They have awesomely improved the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and helped to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV. However, it is also true that ARVS have compromised efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS.
Consider the story of Uganda. Prevalence of HIV/AIDS was at its peak in the late 80s, standing at 18% in 1992 and much higher in urban areas. Then, HIV/AIDS was a death sentence in Uganda, compelling most of the people to abandon risky behavior. By 2000, the rate had dropped down to 6.1%. Following the inception of ARVs in Uganda in 2001, the prevalence as well as new infections have been increasing. Currently, prevalence stands at 7.3. This is mainly attributed to complacence. Because HIV is no longer a death sentence, there is widespread high risk behavior. Secondly, because PLWHA live longer, the infection source is wide.
This is not only in Uganda, many other countries are experiencing a similar trend. Though they are good, ARVS have facilitated the spread of HIV AIDS. I think discovery of a total cure to HIV/AIDS is long overdue otherwise, I see no indication of containing HIV/AIDS.