In most of the cases, an STD like HIV can be prevented. One should stick to a single sex partner or practice safe sex even when having sex with multiple partners. People who are addicted to drugs often share syringes, which should be avoided at all cost. People infected with HIV can live normal lives. Therefore it is important to get an STD test done at the earliest possible. Once one knows that there is an HIV infection, medication and treatment can be started. In most of the cases, provided proper care is taken, and HIV infection does not advance to the AIDS stage. AIDS happens when proper care is not taken during the early stage of the infection.