Care of women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

Article Abstract:

Although fewer women than men are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the agent that causes AIDS, the rate of infection is rising faster among women. It is estimated that three million women will die of AIDS during this decade, yet little is known about the progression of the disease or its treatment in women. Treatment models are based on studies of people who differ by race, income and risk behavior. The only issue that has excited research interest is the transmission of HIV from mother to infant during pregnancy or birth. Cervical disease and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), as well as other gynecologic infections, are common among HIV-infected women, but these complications have received little attention. Most women with HIV infection are of child-bearing age; however, discussions of contraceptive methods have emphasized preventing disease transmission, not preventing pregnancy. There is a question of whether contraceptive (birth control) pills increase susceptibility to HIV infection. Their use may also decrease motivation to use barrier techniques, which prevent transmission of HIV. Drugs may act differently in women than they do in men, but drugs for treating HIV infection have only been tested in men. HIV-infected women should undergo a complete examination, and all treatment should be continued during pregnancy, except when it has been shown to harm the fetus. Relevant social issues include the role of women as caretakers as well as patients, and the lack of drug rehabilitation programs, and HIV treatment and research trials that accept women. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Women, Physiological aspects, AIDS (Disease) in women

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Infectious diseases

Article Abstract:

The AIDS epidemic has brought the study of infectious disease to the forefront of medicine. Not only is the study of infection with the AIDS virus critical, but numerous infections that have been rare in past decades have become commonplace among AIDS patients. Notable among these is pneumonia caused by the organism Pneumocystis carinii, which is a predominant cause of sickness and death among patients with AIDS. Another infectious disease, ehrlichiosis, has recently been recognized as a cause of illness in humans. The disease is carried by ticks and primarily affects dogs, but human ehrlichiosis has now been reported in 16 states. The absence of arthritis and other symptoms of Lyme disease in patients with ehrlichiosis make it easy for clinicians to distinguish the two tick-borne diseases. While infectious disease experts study newly recognized diseases, they must also contend with a disease that has been recognized for at least 2,000 years, measles. In its prime, measles afflicted 400,000 people each year in the US. The incidence of measles dropped after the introduction of the measles vaccine, and decreased even further in 1983, when 1,497 cases were reported. However, measles is making a comeback; in 1989, over 18,000 cases were reported. These figures illustrate that vigilance against an infectious disease cannot be relaxed after a vaccine is developed. Without the implementation of programs to effectively the deliver the vaccine to children and young adults at risk, the disease will recur. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Infection, Prevention, Measles, Medical microbiology

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Infectious diseases

Article Abstract:

Infectious disease research is the most rapidly advancing medical specialty. Much of the attention is focused on HIV infection. Research on protease inhibitors shows that they can reduce viral levels to undetectable amounts when used on combination with other drugs. Many newly identified infectious organisms include human herpesvirus 8, and the hepatitis G virus. Hepatitis C appears to be a common cause of chronic liver disease in the US. Some infectious organisms have been implicated in other diseases such as peptic ulcers, stomach cancer, Bell palsy, hemolytic uremic syndrome and coronary artery disease.

Drug therapy, Identification and classification, Hepatitis viruses

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