This comprehensive review examines the biological, medical, social, historical, and political aspects of HIV/AIDS.In AIDS, three Harvard-educated physicians explore the evolution of the HIV epidemic, contextualizing the disease from historical, social, and medical perspectives. Addressing the last 25 years, the book examines basic biological principles, including what a virus is, how the human immune system works, and how HIV impairs these functions. It presents an in-depth discussion of the HIV life cycle, explores central issues pertaining to diagnosis and treatment, and sheds light on how the treatment was developed and implemented.The book also reviews global epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and principles of transmission, as well as what comprises an epidemic and the factors that determine whether an infectious outbreak will propagate or die out. Finally, it looks at where HIV came from; early reactions to the disease and the social stigma it engendered; the cultural impact of HIV-positive role models; and the global economic, population, and political effects of this illness.

A chronology that traces the HIV epidemic from its discovery a quarter century ago

Series ForewordPrefaceTimelineChapter 1 Historical Perspective: Where Did HIV Come From?First CasesWhere Did HIV Come From?The Disease SpreadsSpread of HIV in AfricaFinding the VirusA Test for HIVInitial Social Reactions to HIVSummaryChapter 2 What Is HIV?What Is HIV?What Is a Virus?Case Studies: Different Types of VirusesThe Common ColdThe Chicken Pox (Varicella) VirusEbola VirusThe Structure of HIVRole of DNA and RNA in ReproductionInfection with HIVHIV ReceptorsViral Life Cycle 1: Hacking into the CellHIV Reverse Transcriptase: Accident ProneHIV cDNAViral Life Cycle 2: Viral ProductionActive vs. Dormant States of HIVActive ReplicationSummaryChapter 3 An Introduction to the Human Immune SystemThe Two Arms of the Immune System: Innate vs. Adaptive ImmunityInnate Immune SystemAdaptive Immune SystemB and T CellsAutoimmune DiseaseAntibodiesCell-Mediated ImmunityCD4 Helper CellsCytotoxic T CellsEffect of HIV on the Immune SystemHIV's Effect on CD4 CellsOpportunistic InfectionsFrom HIV to AIDSSummaryChapter 4 HIV around the World (Global Epidemiology)What Is an Epidemic?Infection ModelsMeaslesHIVBasic Reproductive Rate of InfectionEpidemiologic Principles: Putting It TogetherSummaryChapter 5 HIV TransmissionHow Is HIV Transmitted?At-Risk GroupsHIV and Other Sexually Transmitted InfectionsRelative Risk of HIV Transmission during Different Stages of HIV InfectionPregnancyCase StudiesChinaIndiaAfricaPreventionEducationBehavioral ChangesScreeningSummaryChapter 6 How Does HIV Affect the Body?Acquisition of HIV and Early EventsThe Body's Immune Response to HIVThe Acute Retroviral Syndrome: Symptoms and Signs of Early InfectionTimeline from Infection to AIDSSymptoms of Advanced HIV Disease and AIDSExamples of Some Opportunistic InfectionsPCPMAIToxoplasmosisCryptococcusCytomegalovirusNonopportunistic Complications of HIVCoinfectionsHIV and HepatitisHIV and TuberculosisHIV and SyphilisSummaryChapter 7 Diagnosis and TreatmentHow Is HIV Diagnosed?Who Should Be Tested for HIV?Medications for HIVNucleoside Reverse Transcriptase InhibitorsNon-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase InhibitorsProtease InhibitorsEntry InhibitorsIntegrase InhibitorsHIV Medication CombinationsHIV Mutations and ResistanceMedication Side EffectsEarly HIV Medication ReactionsLong-Term Complications of HIV Medication UseComplications of HIV DiseaseLife Expectancy and Important Health IssuesVaccinesTravelPetsHaving a FamilySummaryChapter 8 Cultural Impact of HIVEarly Reactions to HIVSocial StigmaThe Ryan White StoryMagic Johnson: The Icon of "Living Well" with HIVGlobal Health EffectOrphan CrisisEconomic EffectPopulation EffectBarriers to TreatmentIndividual BarriersStructural BarriersSummaryChapter 9 Lessons Learned and Future DirectionsSuccessesDiscoveryPathogenesisDiagnostic TestingDrug DevelopmentBetter MedicationsIncreased SurvivalSetbacksCase IdentificationLate PresentationEducation and PreventionGlobal Treatment ProgramsVaccine DevelopmentSummaryChapter 10 "My Story"Judy's StoryJohn's StoryChristopher's StoryChapter 11 What You Can DoGlossaryRecommended ReadingIndex