What is the primary function of NRTIs in HIV treatment?

The primary function of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in HIV treatment is to prevent viral replication. NRTIs work by mimicking the building blocks of DNA, which allows them to interfere with the reverse transcription process that HIV utilizes to convert its RNA into DNA. This action inhibits the ability of the virus to replicate and reproduce within the host's cells, effectively reducing the viral load in the body.

While increasing CD4 cell counts, curing HIV, and enhancing immune response are important aspects of comprehensive HIV treatment, they are not the direct actions of NRTIs. Instead, NRTIs lay the foundation for these outcomes by controlling the viral replication, allowing the immune system, including CD4 cells, to recover and function more effectively over time. Therefore, focusing on the mechanism by which NRTIs disrupt the HIV lifecycle clarifies why their main role is centered on preventing viral replication.