uments that sexual fluids or genital secretions do contain resistant virus, so spread of resistance is logical on scientific evidence.
The finding of ever increasing numbers of genetically different strains of virus, even within one person makes treatment more difficult and spread more likely. Strains change by genetic mutation, and may become resistant to current drug therapy.
The common most effective treatment for AIDS appears to be a combination of protease inhibitors (DeNoon, 1999, p. NA1). Suggested drugs are saquinavir, indinavid (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), and nelfinavir (Viracept). Saquinavir has been found to increase the serum concentration of other protease inhibitors given concurrently. The U. S. National Institutes of Health also recommend using some new experimental drugs, including the nucleoside-based reverse transcriptase inhibitors adefovir (Preveon, Gilead), and abacacir, and the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz (Sustiva). Pediatric guidelines recommend aggressive antiretroviral therapy for all HIV infected children younger than 12 months. To date, the only protease inhibitors available in oral solution or powder are ritonavir and nelfinavir.
The immunologic and virologic activity of nevirapine in combination with two nucleosides (zidovudine and didanosine) was evaluated in antiretroviral-naive patients. The study showed that a triple combination of zidovudine plus didanosine and nevirapine used as a first line regimen induced sustained virologic and immunologic response in AIDS patients. A study combined treatment with zidovudine and recombinant interferon-alpha2b compared to zidovudine alone. Subjects receiving combination therapy showed significantly greater weight loss, a significantly higher frequency of abnormal laboratory test results, neutropenia, and leukopenia, and required dose reduction for hematologic toxicity significantly more often than those on zidovu...