HIV in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (types 1 and 2) is an increasing problem worldwide. The latest data, estimated by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS and the World Health Organization, have shown a rise in the number of cases, reaching the highest level ever not only in developing countries but also in the industrialized world. In 2005 the total number of adults living with HIV, newly infected and who died due to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was 38.0 million (1.9 million, 4.2 million and 2.6 million in North America, western and central Europe, respectively) [1]. At some point in their lives, some of these people will need critical care. Before the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens, most intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were due to AIDS-related illnesses. However, changes in epidemiology have increased AIDS-unrelated diagnoses in the ICU, which is why the title of the chapter in the first edition of this book (AIDS in the Intensive Care Unit) has been changed to HIV in the Intensive Care Unit. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.