The bottom line
The prognosis of people living with HIV infection continues to improve because of new classes of treatment therapies. HIV infection has become a chronic illness, with which patients can live a long life if they take an active role in their treatment. For this reason, the primary care provider has a vital role in the management of HIV-infected persons. At each visit, the primary care provider should discuss the person’s HIV infection and emphasize the importance of adherence to ART, follow-up visits, and overall participation in their care.
References
Aberg J.A., et al. Primary Care Guidelines for the Management of Persons Infected With HIV: 2013 Update by the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. IDSA Guidelines 2013, 1-30.
Moyer, V., et al. Screening for HIV: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Ann. Int. Med., April 30, 2013, 1-10.
Dr. Skolnik is associate director of the family medicine residency program at Abington (Pa.) Memorial Hospital and professor of family and community medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia. Dr. Baranck is a second-year resident and will be one of next year’s chief residents in the Family Medicine Residency Program at Abington Memorial Hospital.