AIDS -- diagnosis and management.

HIV infection causes AIDS a fatal disease. Viral types HIV-1 and HIV-2 have thus far been identified the latter form presenting mainly in West Africa. HIV-1 is in countries throughout the world demonstrating a pattern of infection which varies by region. 960 HIV-positive cases have been detected in Pakistan 52 of which had progressed to AIDS. HIV can be transmitted either horizontally by blood and semen or vertically through the placenta. However transmission is most common in individuals involved in risk activities or who belong to high-risk groups. Once infected with HIV people may remain healthy for several years. Clinical progression and the criteria for the diagnosis of AIDS are discussed. Except for the recently exposed individuals infected with HIV have antibodies which can be detected through laboratory assays. ELISA polymerase chain reaction and virus culturing are ways of diagnosing the presence of HIV. The laboratory diagnosis of HIV/AIDS infection treatment the prevention of HIV infection and the need for a practical vaccine against HIV infection are discussed.