HIV/AIDS UPDATE

I had to update my HIV/AIDS education and it was an eye opener again. There are now 38.6 million people world wide infected with over 50% being women. The biggest increase is showing up in Eastern Europe and Asia. Men are infected 58% of the time by homosexual sex followed by 21% by IV drug use. Women on the other hand are infected 64% of the time by heterosexual sex followed by 34% by Iv drug use. Incubation from infection to symptoms can be 4-6 years which makes tracking partners difficult. Of the healthcare professionals who are exposed 1 in 300 becomes HIV positive. They are now finding HIV in people older than 50 due to divorce and widowhood causing older adults to start dating again. The course was very interesting and for my practice especially for older patients I now know to look for repeated pneumonias and yeast infections. As Aids has a 100% mortality rate the antiviral meds used can only buy time. A vaccine is still being worked on