Psychosocial issues and risk management in HIV/AIDS

Pages: 919-923
Nishtha Kumar and Thiyam Kiran Singh (Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College & Hospital, Sector-32, Chandigarh)

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) was identified as a new syndrome in 1981. Scientists suggested for the first time that perhaps AIDS was caused by a virus. Such a virus could reach haemophiliacs through their use of Factor VIII, a donated blood clotting agent. The HIV virus was first isolated in 1983. Progression from HIV to HIV disease and AIDS varies in time. AIDS reflects a reduction in T-helper cells and specifically those that are CD4-positive T-cells. This causes immune deficiency and the appearance of opportunistic infections. The role of various psychosocial factors in the increment and prognosis of disease in specified along with various risk factors and in order to deal with them the aspect of mental health professional effective dealing and management is specified.