New antiretroviral agents have radically changed the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS. In many patients, this treatment has produced substantial improvement, as well as marked reductions in circulating viral particles. Furthermore, there has been a decrease in mortality from AIDS complications resulting from the use of very active retroviral therapy (VART). A source of concern, however, is the current perception that the disease, though not yet curable, can be successfully treated with this new therapy, since this notion could be changing the public's attitude toward the continued need for preventive measures.