What is the role of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV treatment?

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) plays a crucial role in managing HIV, primarily by suppressing the viral load to undetectable levels. This is essential because when the viral load is undetectable, the HIV virus cannot be transmitted to others, which aligns with the "Undetectable = Untransmittable" (U=U) principle. Maintaining an undetectable viral load through consistent ART usage not only helps individuals living with HIV remain healthy but also protects their sexual partners from HIV transmission.

Additionally, while ART does not eliminate the virus entirely from the body, it effectively controls the replication of the virus, enabling individuals to lead healthier lives. ART does not enhance the body's natural immunity in the same way that vaccines do, nor is it solely aimed at preventing transmission, even though controlling the viral load significantly lowers the risk of transmission as a secondary benefit.

Thus, the primary function of ART is to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load, making option C the most accurate representation of its role in HIV treatment.