Hiv / Aids: Diagnosis and Management

HIV/AIDS is a spectrum of conditions that occur due to infection with HIV or human immunodeficiency virus. An infection with HIV progresses through three main stages- acute infection, clinical latency and AIDS. 40-90% of individuals develop influenza-like illness after around 2-4 weeks of the initial infection with HIV. This lasts usually between one and two weeks while others experience no significant signs at all. Fever, throat inflammation, large tender lymph nodes, headache, a rash and/or sores of the mouth and genitals may occur. After this stage, follows a period of clinical latency that lasts between three to over twenty years, without treatment. Once AIDS sets in, pneumocystis pneumonia, cachexia and esophageal candidiasis start to occur. Viral-induced cancers and opportunistic infections may also start affecting the individual. This book provides comprehensive insights into the diagnosis and management of HIV/AIDS. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. It is meant for students who are looking for an elaborate reference text on HIV/AIDS.