HIV through the life cycle

From prevention of prenatal transmission to the care of children with HIV to reproductive issues in serodiscordant couples, HIV complicates patients’ development. Table 3 outlines concerns regarding HIV transmission and treatment at different stages of a patient’s life.

Bottom Line

HIV transmission and effective treatment are complicated by a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities, including depression and other mood disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, and cognitive disorders. With an increased understanding of the issues faced by patients at risk for or infected with HIV, psychiatrists can help prevent HIV transmission, improve adherence to medical care, and diminish suffering, morbidity, and mortality.

Related Resources

• Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine HIV/AIDS Psychiatry Special Interest Group. www.apm.org/sigs/oap.
• New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute. HIV Clinical Resource. www.hivguidelines.org.
• University of Liverpool. HIV drug interactions list. www.hiv-druginteractions.org.
• Toronto General Hospital Immunodeficiency Clinic. Drug interactions tables. www.hivclinic.ca/main/drugs_interact.html.

Drug Brand Names

Bupropion • Wellbutrin, Zyban
Nevirapine • Viramune
Carbamazepine • Carbatrol, Tegretol, others
Olanzapine • Zyprexa
Quetiapine • Seroquel
Clonazepam • Klonopin
Ritonavir • Norvir
Efavirenz • Sustiva
Venlafaxine • Effexor
Escitalopram • Lexapro

Disclosure

Dr. Cohen reports no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.

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