Ebook HIV infection

Identification of the HIV-infected persons is most essential. Suspect HIV infection on clinical grounds in patients exposed to HIV infection in unprotected sex or via injections in patients with a history of high-risk behaviour and who present with symptoms suggesting primary HIV infection in patients with unexplained immunosuppression and in young individuals with weight loss, dementia or oesophageal candidiasis, thrombocytopenia or anaemia without a clear cause. An HIV test will become positive in 1 to 3 months after contracting the infection. To exclude the possibility of HIV infection, the development of antibodies should be followed up until 3 months have elapsed. The primary symptoms may become manifest 2 to 6 weeks after the transmission. There is no cure for HIV infection, but a combination therapy (HAART - highly active antiretroviral therapy) has greatly improved the patients' outlook .