For drug abusers, halt the practice of sharing or reusing needles and enter a drug treatment program. For medical and dental professionals, wear latex gloves whenever there is a possibility of contact with body fluids, and properly use and dispose of hollow needles. Treatment Many drugs are now available to treat HIV infection. All prevent the virus from reproducing and slow the progression of the disease. The trouble is, HIV usually develops resistance to these drugs when they are used alone.
Treatment seems to be most effective when at least two of the drugs are given in combination.
Drug combinations may delay the onset of AIDS in HIV-positive people and extend life compared with the use of single drugs. Doctors aren't certain how soon after infection these drugs should be started, but people with high levels of HIV in their blood should be treated. The cost and side effects of two or three drug treatments may be too great for some people in the U.S. and for many people in less developed countries. There may also be side effects. People with AIDS usually are prescribed many drugs to prevent infections, too, such as pneumonia, toxoplasmic brain infections, or other infections.