Primary Care of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patient

Med Clin North Am. 2015 Sep;99(5):1105-22. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2015.05.010.

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a disease that affects 1 million patients in the United States. Many excellent drug regimens exist that effectively suppress the viral load and improve immune function, but there are consequences of long-term antiviral therapy. In addition, patients with HIV tend to have much higher rates of chronic disease, substance abuse, and cancer. Thus, while expert care in the treatment of HIV remains critical, the skill set of a primary care provider in the prevention, detection, and management of acute and chronic illness is vital to the care of the HIV patient.

Keywords: Antiretroviral therapy; Chronic disease management; HIV infection; Preventive care; Primary care.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / methods*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Disease Management
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Early Medical Intervention
  • HIV Infections* / complications
  • HIV Infections* / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections* / physiopathology
  • HIV Infections* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Primary Health Care / methods
  • Secondary Prevention / methods*