The question of how to disguise the taste of antiretrovirals for pediatric patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is common for physicians, pharmacists, and parents/caregivers. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is essential for living a long life and is imperative for the successful treatment of pediatric patients. The taste of these medications has been shown to affect adherence in this patient population. Parents/caregivers are not only tasked with remembering refills, dosages, and strengths of antiretrovirals, they have to become persuasive diplomats for the daily administration of these medications to their children. Provided in this first part of a two-part article is background information on this topic and a discussion on palatability concerns.