Question
What is the difference between ARVs and ART?
15 October 2026. Related: All topics, Injectable ART, Starting treatment.
Hi there, I am writing from South Sudan and I wanted to know what is different between ART and ARVs.
Answer
Hi there
Thanks – there isn’t really much difference in these two terms.
Often they can both be used in the same ways.
A detailed answer though is that ARVs refers to the whole family of meds that are used to treat HIV. Or used in PEP and PrEP for HIV prevention.
ARVs stand for antiretrovirals.
ART stands for antiretroviral treatment. So technically, ART usually refers to a combination of drugs used to treat one person. This is usually a combination of three ARVs but there are a few combinations with just two ARVs or four ARVs.
Good question though :)
Comment