Allergic and Immunologic Diseases - Chapter 54: Management and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral infection that causes secondary immune deficiency due to the loss of CD4+ T cells if left untreated. Immunologists and infectious disease experts must be able to not only recognize the symptoms of HIV infection but the regimens for treatment of HIV as well as prevention of HIV. Newer therapies for HIV involve more palatable treatments with fewer side effects and a lower pill burden. For individuals at high risk for HIV such as sexual partners of those with HIV, commercial sex workers, intravenous drug users and persons with multiple sex partners, preexposure prophylaxis is now available. There are also newer postexposure prophylaxis regimens available that are more easily tolerated by persons who have had a high-risk exposure (sexual assault, needle-stick, etc.). The regimens for infants exposed to HIV in the perinatal period have also changed significantly and are covered in this chapter. Treatment for children with HIV is probably the most challenging of all age groups due to the limitation of available liquids and powders to replace pills. Current HIV treatment and prevention regimens for all ages are included in this chapter.