Providing an introduction to HIV/AIDS, this book explains the science, the international and local politics, the demographics and the devastating consequences of the disease. This book is aimed at general readers interested in the science, the epidemiology and the social effects of the disease which has killed 20 million.

Providing an introduction to HIV/AIDS, this book explains the science, the international and local politics, the demographics, and the devastating consequences of the disease. This book is aimed at general readers interested in the science, the epidemiology and the social effects of the disease which has killed 20 million.

HIV is spreading rapidly, and effective treatments continue to elude science. Preventive interventions are now our best defense against the epidemicâ€"but they require a clear understanding of the behavioral and mental health aspects of HIV infection and AIDS. AIDS and Behavior provides an update of what investigators in the biobehavioral, psychological, and social sciences have discovered recently about those aspects of the disease and offers specific recommendations for research directions and priorities. This volume candidly discusses the sexual and drug-use behaviors that promote transmission of HIV and reports on the latest efforts to monitor the epidemic in its social contexts. The committee reviews new findings on how and why risky behaviors occur and efforts to develop strategies for changing such behaviors. The volume presents findings on the disease's progression and on the psychosocial impacts of HIV and AIDS, with a view toward intervention and improved caregiving. AIDS and Behavior also evaluates the status of behavioral and prevention aspects of AIDS research at the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The volume presents background on the three institutes; their recent reorganization; their research budgets, programs, and priorities; and other important details. The committee offers specific recommendations for the institutes concerning the balance between biomedical and behavioral investigations, adequacy of administrative structures, and other research management issues. Anyone interested in the continuing quest for new knowledge on preventing HIV and AIDS will want to own this book: policymakers, researchers, research administrators, public health professionals, psychologists, AIDS advocates and service providers, faculty, and students.

During the early years of the AIDS epidemic, thousands of Americans became infected with HIV through the nation's blood supply. Because little reliable information existed at the time AIDS first began showing up in hemophiliacs and in others who had received transfusions, experts disagreed about whether blood and blood products could transmit the disease. During this period of great uncertainty, decision-making regarding the blood supply became increasingly difficult and fraught with risk. This volume provides a balanced inquiry into the blood safety controversy, which involves private sexual practices, personal tragedy for the victims of HIV/AIDS, and public confidence in America's blood services system. The book focuses on critical decisions as information about the danger to the blood supply emerged. The committee draws conclusions about what was doneâ€"and recommends what should be done to produce better outcomes in the face of future threats to blood safety. The committee frames its analysis around four critical area: Product treatmentâ€"Could effective methods for inactivating HIV in blood have been introduced sooner? Donor screening and referralâ€"including a review of screening to exlude high-risk individuals. Regulations and recall of contaminated bloodâ€"analyzing decisions by federal agencies and the private sector. Risk communicationâ€"examining whether infections could have been averted by better communication of the risks.

Walker utilizes a wide range of current information from diverse sources in an integrated, manageable way to produce a synthesis aimed at students taking courses dealing with AIDS within contemporary social issues, sociology, social anthropology, and sexually transmitted diseases. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A British medical journalist offers a meticulously researched look at HIV and its potential source, discussing the history of this lethal epidemic, analyzing a number of theories concerning its origins, and investigating current scientific inquiries into HIV, AIDS, and the search for a cure. Reprint. 15,000 first printing.

This book serves as a reference work on pediatric HIV infection and covers the full bandwidth of topics from an introduction to pathogenesis and epidemiology, over the transmission of the HI virus, to clinical manifestations, treatment, and prevention strategies. Diseases and disorders occurring in HIV infected persons are discussed in detail. The book covers special populations, such as neonates born to an HIV positive mother and adolescents and examines the specific ways of managing HIV disease in these patient groups. This is the first book to cover palliative care as well as ethical, legal and social issues of HIV infection.