Antiretrovirals are medications used to treat infections caused by retroviruses, most notably the HIV virus, which leads to AIDS. These drugs work by inhibiting the virus's ability to replicate, helping to control the infection and improve the immune system's function. There are several classes of antiretrovirals, including NRTIs, NNRTIs, PIs, and INSTIs, each targeting different stages of the viral life cycle. When taken consistently, antiretrovirals can reduce the viral load in the body to undetectable levels, significantly lowering the risk of transmission and improving the quality of life for those living with HIV.