Which treatment strategy is used alongside ART to reduce HIV transmission risk?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the correct treatment strategy used alongside antiretroviral therapy (ART) to significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission. PrEP involves the use of specific antiretroviral medications by individuals who are HIV-negative but at high risk of contracting HIV. By taking PrEP consistently, these individuals can lower their chances of acquiring HIV through sexual activity or injection drug use.

The effectiveness of PrEP has been well-documented in various clinical studies, which show that it can reduce the risk of HIV infection by up to 99% when taken as prescribed. This preventative approach complements ART, which is focused on managing the health of those already infected and reducing their viral load to undetectable levels, thereby minimizing the risk of sexual transmission of the virus.

While immediate treatment for all infected individuals, regular HIV testing for partners, and monotherapy with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) may have roles in HIV management and prevention, they do not specifically focus on ongoing preventative measures for high-risk individuals as effectively as PrEP does. Immediate treatment may not always be feasible or necessary for all individuals, regular testing does not actively prevent infection but rather monitors it, and monotherapy with NRTIs is