HIV/AIDS: Overview

Author(s):  
Peter A. Newman

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the most deadly epidemic of modern times. Since HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes AIDS, was first identified in the United States in 1981, nearly 1 million Americans have been diagnosed with AIDS and 530,756 have died. Forty million people are living with HIV worldwide. Although AIDS is still a fatal disease, new drug therapies have greatly slowed the course of disease progression and enhanced quality of life for persons living with HIV. Nevertheless, monumental disparities persist within the United States and between the developed and developing worlds in this two-tiered epidemic.

2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann N. Do ◽  
Carol A. Ciesielski ◽  
Russ P. Metler ◽  
Teresa A. Hammett ◽  
Jianmin Li ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:To characterize occupationally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection detected through case surveillance efforts in the United States.Design:National surveillance systems, based on voluntary case reporting.Setting:Healthcare or laboratory (clinical or research) settings.Patients:Healthcare workers, defined as individuals employed in healthcare or laboratory settings (including students and trainees), who are infected with HIV.Methods:Review of data reported through December 2001 in the HIV/AIDS Reporting System and the National Surveillance for Occupationally Acquired HIV Infection.Results:Of 57 healthcare workers with documented occupationally acquired HIV infection, most (86%) were exposed to blood, and most (88%) had percutaneous injuries. The circumstances varied among 51 percutaneous injuries, with the largest proportion (41%) occurring after a procedure, 35% occurring during a procedure, and 20% occurring during disposal of sharp objects. Unexpected circumstances difficult to anticipate during or after procedures accounted for 20% of all injuries. Of 55 known source patients, most (69%) had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) at the time of occupational exposure, but some (11%) had asymptomatic HIV infection. Eight (14%) of the healthcare workers were infected despite receiving postexposure prophylaxis (PEP).Conclusions:Prevention strategies for occupationally acquired HIV infection should continue to emphasize avoiding blood exposures. Healthcare workers should be educated about both the benefits and the limitations of PEP, which does not always prevent HIV infection following an exposure. Technologic advances (eg, safety-engineered devices) may further enhance safety in the healthcare workplace


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 482-482
Author(s):  
M. BLAKE CALDWELL ◽  
PATRICIA L. FLEMING ◽  
MARGARET J. OXTOBY

To the Editor.— The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in child-bearing women impacts our society in a number of ways. One of these is the legacy of uninfected children left without their mothers when these women succumb to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We have calculated a crude estimate of the current and future number of these AIDS orphans. As of December 31, 1991, 21 225 women (≥13 years of age) with AIDS were reported to the Centers for Disease Control from the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Trusts and Territories; 17 910 (84%) were of reproductive age (15 to 44 years) at the time they were diagnosed with AIDS.


Biomédica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supl. 1) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Ana Luz Galván-Díaz ◽  
Juan Carlos Alzate ◽  
Esteban Villegas ◽  
Sofía Giraldo ◽  
Jorge Botero ◽  
...  

Cystoisospora belli is an intestinal Apicomplexan parasite associated with diarrheal illness and disseminated infections in humans, mainly immunocompromised individuals such as those living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). An irregular administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV patients may increase the risk of opportunistic infections like cystoisosporiasis.We describe here a case of C. belli infection in a Colombian HIV patient with chronic gastrointestinal syndrome and poor adherence to HAART. His clinical and parasitological cure was achieved with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment. Although a reduction in the number of C. belli cases has been observed since the use of HAART, this parasite still has to be considered as a differential diagnosis of diarrheal disease in HIV/AIDS patients.Effective interventions enhancing adherence to HAART should be included in HIV patient care programs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1701-1708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob J. Wainwright ◽  
◽  
Linda Beer ◽  
Yunfeng Tie ◽  
Jennifer L. Fagan ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Robert E Fullilove

This chapter discusses the unique impact that social disadvantage in general and the criminal justice systems in the United States in particular have on the conditions that drive the HIV/AIDS epidemic in this country. HIV/AIDS is classified as an important racial/ethnic health disparity because residents of marginalized black and Hispanic communities are overrepresented among persons living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. Members of black and Hispanic communities are also overrepresented in the criminal justice; in terms of the epidemic, approximately one out of seven persons living with HIV/AIDS will pass through a U.S. correctional facility in any given year. A history of incarceration is associated with poor treatment outcomes for HIV illness. Improving the quality of HIV care in correctional facilities and in the communities to which incarcerated persons will return is imperative, as is effective interventions in incarcerated populations and communities. Having AIDS activists, scientists, and healthcare workers join in efforts to reform incarceration policies and practices will improve efforts to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, particularly in communities that confront high rates of HIV/AIDS and incarceration.


1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith B. Cohen ◽  
Laurie B. Hauer ◽  
Constance B. Wofsy

Most women diagnosed with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the United States are either intravenous drug users (IVDUs) or sex partners of male IVDUs. Research that looks at “IVDUs with AIDS” as one category, and “women with AIDS” as another, may fail to provide adequate information about this specific subgroup. The authors summarize the results of several studies of the prevalence of HIV infection among IVDUs, and discuss the difficulty of estimating the number of women IVDUs, or partners of male IVDUs, infected with HIV. They consider differences between female and male IVDUs, and between women IVDUs and non-IVDUs, including economic status, pregnancy, and child-rearing responsibilities. They conclude with a series of policy recommendations concerning AIDS prevention and service programs targeting this specific population.


Author(s):  
Sandra Augusta Pedro Alberto ◽  
Janete Lane Amadei

Angola, país Africano, registra perdas consideráveis relacionadas às doenças transmissíveis e às mortes prematuras e evitáveis, principalmente, de mulheres e de crianças, agravadas pela desestruturação da qual o país foi vítima ao longo do conflito armado. No diagnóstico da AIDS, os exames laboratoriais de contagem de células T CD4+, CD8+ e carga viral são usados como parâmetros para monitorar a saúde dos pacientes, que utilizam a terapia antirretroviral e avaliar o momento certo para iniciar ou modificar esta terapia. Estudo desenvolvido com objetivo de analisar exames para HIV/Aids realizados em Hospital Provincial de Lubango, Angola – África. Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo compreendendo o período de janeiro a junho de 2014. Foram analisados 981 resultados de exames com uma média de 163,5 por mês. A idade média obtida foi de 35 anos, com resultados médios de 385,1/mm3 para CD4+ e 1060,0/ mm3 para CD8+. Os itens que apresentaram significância com p<0,01 foram: procedência ambulatorial; menores valores de CD4+ para os homens, com idade de 60 anos ou mais seguido de 30 a 60 anos. O monitoramento de linfócitos T CD4+ apresentou  valores baixos na maioria da população que realizou os exames, implicando em indicação de terapia antirretroviral e progressão da patologia com comprometimento da saúde das pessoas analisadas. Palavras-chave: Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida. Gestão de Saúde. Sistema de Saúde. Atendimento Secundário AbstractAngola, an African country, has considerable losses related to communicable diseases and premature and preventable deaths mainly of women and children, aggravated by the destructuring of which the country has been victimized during the armed conflict.The progression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) characterized by numerous pathological changes in the cellular immune system. Study designed to analyze tests for HIV / AIDS held in Hospital Provincial  laboratory Lubango, Angola - Africa. Descriptive, retrospective study conducted in Hospital Provincial covering the period from January to June 2014. 981 test results were analyzed spread between the months from January to June 2014 with an average of 163.5 per month. The average age obtained was 35 years, with average scores of 385.1 / mm3 for CD4+ and 1060.0 / mm3 for CD8+. The items which were significant highlights are lower CD4+ values for men aged 60 years or more followed 30-60 years; with outpatient origin. Monitoring of CD4+ T lymphocytes are underestimated in most of the population who performed the tests. This involves antiretroviral therapy indication of the pathology affecting the analyzed people’s health living with HIV / AIDS . Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Health Management. Health System. Secondary Care.


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