Women's health. The role of gender in HIV progression

Recent studies have examined the experience of women and the potential for gender differences with respect to HIV progression and the acceptance, tolerance, adherence, and response regarding HAART. Differences in CD4 cell count and viral load have not been reported in all studies. For any given CD4 cell count, women may be at a higher risk of HIV progression. Women appear to have an increased risk of progression to AIDS compared with men with the same viral load. They have lower initial viral loads than men in early-stage disease, but these catch up in advanced-stage disease. Because of depression and other psychological factors, women may be in greater need of supportive services, and this can affect the success of antiretroviral therapy. Women also have an increased risk of adverse drug reactions from HAART. Gender should be considered when prescribing therapy.