How Do You Spell ANTIRETROVIRAL?
Pronunciation: [ˌantɪɹˌɛtɹə͡ʊvˈa͡ɪ͡əɹə͡l] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [ˌantɪɹˌɛtɹə͡ʊvˈa͡ɪ͡əɹə͡l] (IPA)
Antiretroviral, often abbreviated as ARV, is an adjective that refers to substances, drugs, or therapies used in the treatment and management of retroviruses, specifically the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Retroviruses make use of an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA genomes into DNA in order to infect and replicate within host cells. Antiretrovirals are designed to target and inhibit the activity of reverse transcriptase and other viral enzymes, preventing the virus from replicating and reducing its viral load.
These drugs have revolutionized the treatment of HIV/AIDS and have played a significant role in extending the lives of people living with the virus. ARVs are commonly administered in combination therapy, known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), which involves the use of multiple drugs with different mechanisms of action to effectively target various stages of the viral life cycle.
Antiretroviral drugs fall into different classes, including nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), integrase inhibitors, and fusion inhibitors. The appropriate combination and dosage of these drugs are determined by healthcare professionals based on individual patient factors such as viral strain, viral load, and treatment history, among others.
Although ARVs are not a cure for HIV/AIDS, they have transformed the management of the disease, leading to improved immune functioning, reduced transmission rates, and increased quality of life for individuals living with HIV.
The word "antiretroviral" is composed of two main elements: "anti-" and "retroviral".
The prefix "anti-" comes from the Greek word "anti", meaning "against" or "opposite". It is commonly used in English to denote opposition, counteraction, or negation of something.
The term "retroviral" is derived from combining two words: "retro" and "viral". "Retro" is derived from the Latin word "retro", meaning "backward" or "backwards". In the context of biology, it refers to processes or traits that work or occur in the opposite direction or order to the usual. The word "viral" relates to viruses, which are infectious agents that replicate inside living cells.
