title: [Family physician's role in the HIV infection management].
abstract: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a disease with great sociosanitary impact. Since 1981, when the first cases of AIDS were described, more than 60 million people have become infected. During these 25 years there have been a lot of advances in the infection management and we know that prevention and early diagnosis are crucial. Family Physician s role is essential since this is a privileged point of global attention, counseling and support for these patients. The main objective is to reduce the new HIV infections incidence. In addition, other objectives are: primary prevention and health promotion, early diagnosis, recruitment infected patients, monitoring and end-of-life caring. It is important to know that all of us are susceptible to contract the virus and, although the HIV testing is voluntary, there are screening recommendations from the CDC: persons with signs or symptoms that suggest infection, pregnant women, persons at high risk for infection and all patients aged 13-64 years, as a part of routine clinical care. The communication of the result is a key point in the therapeutic relation. If it is negative we must make intervention on risk attitudes. If it is positive we must inform and support the patient, to convince him about the need to be followed up by an specialized level. The AIDS terminal patient is a very immunodeficient one and needs palliative cares like other terminal disease. Another challenge is prevention and control of HIV infection among the immigrant community. In conclusion, Family Physicians must investigate risk practices, inform, prevent new cases and, in the infected people, monitor the evolution, supporting and comforting.
authors.affiliation: Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, Valladolid Oeste, CS Paraquesol, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid. laisadoc@hotmail.com
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Briongos-Figuero
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bachiller-Luque
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Eiros-Bouza
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Palacios-Martín
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011247:Pregnancy; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012307:Risk Factors; D013727:Terminal Care