Colgate University, Hamilton NY 13346

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) had emerged as a major health problem for women in the United States. Family physicians can play an important role in the detection and care of HIV-infected women. The epidemiology and natural history of HIV infection in women were reviewed. HIV infection is now a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among young women in the United States, particularly women of racial and ethnic minorities. Most cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in women occur as a result of injection-drug use or heterosexual transmission. Based on limited information, women and men appear to have similar AIDS-defining conditions. Gynecological problems are common n HIV-infected women. Pregnancy does not seem to be affected by early HIV infection, but women with advanced disease might be at increased risk for obstetric complications. More women need to be included in natural history studies and clinical drug trials. Early awareness of HIV infection and better access to health care services are required to improve the treatment and survival of HIV-infected wome

Further study is needed in many aspects of gynecologic disease in women with HIV. If the epidemic of the female infections is to be reduced, health care providers must receive education about these life-threatening diseases.

16. Lea A. Women with HIV and their burden of caring. women Int. 1994 Nov-Dec; 15(6): 489-501

12. Sabo CE, Carwein VL. Women and HIV/AIDS. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 1994 May-Jun; 5(3): 15-21

"Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been declared 'the public health threat of the century' " (1 cited in 2). The US Surgeon General has designated it as the nation's number one health priority (2). AIDS is a disease that affects the immune system. The term immunodeficiency refers to the inability of the immune system to function properly, thus making the individual susceptible to a variety of infections not typically found in a healthy immune system (3). A syndrome is a group of symptoms or illnesses originating from one cause. The main agent causing AIDS is a retrovirus known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is the agent of a sexually transmitted disease that can also be contracted through blood transfusions or IV drug use; the disease can also be passed on to a fetus during pregnancy. When people are infected with HIV, they are not necessarily also infected with AIDS. A person is not infected with AIDS until HIV reduces immune function to a certain level or when one or more serious illnesses related to HIV occurs. (4)

More women are becoming infected with HIV. With earlier testing and treatment, women can live with HIV as long as men can. However, in a male-dominated medical establishment, women's health issues are often ignored (16). Some women go straight to their deaths, while others are diagnosed after it is too late (16). Women need to know more about how they can be infected, and should get tested for HIV if they think that there is any chance that they have been exposed to the virus. This is especially true for pregnant women. Not only are they endangering their own lives, they may be putting an unborn child at risk for a disease that might have been avoidable.

13. Legg JJ. Women and HIV. J am Board Fam Pract. 1993 Jul-Aug; 6(4): 367-77

Some common words found in the essay are:
HIV HIV, Robert Gallo, Prevention CDC, Zidovudine AZT, United December, United Family, Disease PID, AIDS HIV, Vaginal Candidasis, Syndrome AIDS, hiv infection, hiv infected, infected hiv, health care, women hiv, aids women, hiv infected women, infected women, infection women, women infected, hiv infection women, hiv virus, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, immunodeficiency syndrome aids,
Approximate Word count = 3167
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)