Long-term survivors: thriving with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

The lack of a medical cure for human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has resulted in growing interest in those infected individuals who seem to have longer than expected life spans, a more satisfying and sometimes improved quality of life, and in some cases no progression of immune deterioration. Factors involving genetic predisposition, immune function, and particular psychosocial qualities, such as social affiliations, internal resources, and coping with affective responses, are being studied. Nursing's evolving role in relation to this hopeful development is explored. More research in this area is needed, particularly among those hardest hit in the second wave of the epidemic: women, children, intravenous drug users, and people of color.