Abstract
The AIDS epidemic continues to grow in the Americas at different velocities in different countries due to the different times of introduction of the virus and because of a host of social/behavioral factors which remain to be elucidated. In some subregions the pattern of transmission is changing rapidly from the homosexual/bisexual to the heterosexual transmission pattern with a consequential increase in perinatal transmission. While the clinical presentation of HIV-1 infection varies throughout the region, the adaptation of a modified case definition for AIDS will aid in the recognition and surveillance of AIDS cases. The recent introduction of HIV-2 into the region has further complicated the increasing prevalence rates of HIV-1 and HTLV-I/II and the associated morbidity and mortality rates observed with these retroviruses. Furthermore, some countries are already beginning to feel the impact of AIDS on their health-care delivery system, and those countries which have yet to feel the impact of AIDS must prepare for the inevitable consequences of a relatively broad epidemic of HIV-1 infection. Consequently, if we are to respond effectively to the AIDS and HIV pandemic, prevention efforts and the mobilization of resources should become a priority at the local, national and global levels.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 709-724 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | AIDS |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1990 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- AIDS
- Americas
- Caribbean
- Clinical features
- Epidemiology
- HIV-1
- HIV-2
- HTLV-I/II
- Latin America
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases