Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS): An Overview

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It describes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment for HIV. Acute HIV infection, also known as early or primary HIV infection, is a condition that develops within two to four weeks of contracting HIV. Patients presenting with any symptoms consistent with acute HIV should undergo a complete sexual and social history to characterize the likelihood of HIV as the cause. AIDS is the condition that results from long-term (chronic) HIV infection and is defined by an absolute CD4 cell count of less than 200 cells µL -1 and/or the presence of specific opportunistic infections or malignancies. HIV/AIDS is diagnosed via laboratory testing and then staged based on the presence of certain signs and symptoms. Patients with HIV infection should be counselled about the risks of infecting their sexual partners with HIV.