The invention provides methods for decreasing or inhibiting human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV) infection or pathogenesis (e.g., illness) of a cell in vitro, ex vivoor in vivo, a symptom or pathology associated with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infection or pathogenesis (e.g., illness) in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo,or an adverse side effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HTV) infection orpathogenesis (e.g , illness) in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. In one embodiment, amethod of the invention includes treating a subject with an invention compound(e.g., cationic steroid antimicrobial or CSA).