Treatment HIV infected person is not AIDS ill person (see the phases of AIDS development). AIDS is the final phase of the infection. The falling down the number of the T4 lymphocytes is a proof that the illness is going on. If we start antiviral treatment before the reduction of CD4 number to less than 200/mm3, we are able to delay the occurrence of AIDS with all its symptoms. The earlier and more intensive treatment is, the longer phase of carrying without symptoms is. The antiviral intensive treatment that is joined with opportunistic infections treatment and anticancer therapy for AIDS can prolong life of ill person.

Most people, who are infected, can know nothing about it for quite a long time. Acute, early phase can be mistaken for flu.

In the situation that the infection is claimed we can use antiviral medicine mostly zidovudine (AZT). Giving this medicine for four weeks lowers to 80% the risk of the infection. Prevention treatment is useful if we start it in 24 hours after the time of the contact with the virus.

Nowadays situation of the HIV infected people has changed and despite the fact that we haven\'t got effective medicines, the progress has been achieved in stopping the development of this illness. In the world there are 20 registered medicines which are used for HIV infection treatment. Medicines are changed every some months because HIV is very changeable illness virus. Apart from the antiviral treatment which is aimed against HIV, that is the base of the therapy, it is necessary to fight with opportunistic infections. Their treatment is based on checked antibiotic therapy.