Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): The Frontiers and Global Challenges

Abstract

HIV/AIDS continues to be a major health threat. An estimated 2.7 million new infections and an estimated 2 million deaths from HIV/AIDS-related illnesses were demonstrated in 2007. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 8-10 million new cases of tuberculosis (TB) globally occur each year and accounts for 25% of AIDS deaths. Although AIDS is the same disease as HIV disease in all part of the world, this microorganism is mostly in many tropical countries. In tropical countries, TB and bacterial pneumonia represent the major pulmonary infections among the patients with HIV-infection/AIDS. Although the spectrum of HIV disease/AIDS is quite broad, the majority of the pulmonary infections in HIV-1 infected patients are similar to those observed in non-HIV infected persons. The geographical differences are primarily due to varying frequencies rather than the kinds of infections. Of all the pulmonary infections encountered in the tropics obviously Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the most significant pathogenic microorganisms. Great effort and resources have been invested in the improvement of diagnostic and treatment approaches for TB, and in identification of the close association between the two diseases. The developments have simultaneously benefited many living with HIV. Not all co-infections, nevertheless, have received sufficient attention. Donated funds would require paying for AIDS treatment, and funds remain insufficient for prevention strategies. Making therapy a priority could have the result of reducing fund, thus, increasing the numbers of cases which need therapy. When treatment and prevention ideals meet reality, prevention must be the highest priority. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended HIV testing of all pregnant women as part of the basic package of prenatal services for nearly two decades. Unfortunately, in the past, the focus of global mother-to-child HIV prevention efforts was on Editorial Volume 1 Issue 2 2014