Depression as a Risk Factor for HIV Infection rev Iew

Major depression is the most common psychiatric diagnosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). However a few studies have focused on clinical depression as a risk factor for HIV infection. There are evidences to show that individuals with depressive symptoms can be predisposed to diseases such as HIV infection. Literature point out that the negative influence of depression as a risk factor for HIV can be explained because physical deterioration or depression can result in fatigue, physical impairment, and loss of motivation and self-confiden ce to engage in food and income generating activity. Other authors point out that this increased risk is thought to be due to high rates of substance use including injection drug use (IDU), risky sexual behavior,