title: The crisis of IRIS: what every nurse should know about immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in patients infected with HIV.
abstract: Most health care providers are aware that beginning combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for patients infected with HIV has reduced morbidity of AIDS-related opportunistic infections and subsequently reduced HIV-related mortality. Effective ART leads to significantly reduced viral loads and increased CD4+ T cell counts, especially in the first few months after initiation. ART stimulates immune system reconstitution, thereby reducing the risk of exacerbation or acquisition of an opportunistic infection.
authors.forename: Donna W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Roberson
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bowers
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000451:nursing*; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054019:Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome / Q000451:nursing*; D009736:Nursing Process