Gender differences and sex-specific manifestations associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection in women.
The rapidly growing rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among women has prompted many challenging issues related to the management and consequences of HIV and its complications in this population. This paper reviews the current evidence with regard to various aspects of HIV infection in women. Special emphasis is placed on gender-differences as well as sex-specific manifestation of this disease, including epidemiology, viral load determination and disease progression, related morbidity, and anti-retroviral therapy. It is concluded that current advances in the understanding of HIV infection among women may lead to further refinement and optimization efforts in the management of HIV-infected women.
Gilad
Jacob
J
Infectious Disease Institute, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, PO Box 151, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel. gliadk@hotmail.com
Walfisch
Asnat
A
Borer
Abraham
A
Schlaeffer
Francisc
F
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D017677:Age Distribution; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D019562:Viral Load; D016387:Women's Health
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents