HIV and associated infections

Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which leads to the acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), presents with a number of opportunistic infections whose management remains a major concern. Understanding their pathogenesis and interactions with the HIV, and applying this knowledge to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, were the main topics of the conference organised by the Royal College of Physicians, with support from Glaxo Wellcome. As the role of associated infections in HIV progression becomes clearer, prophylaxis becomes a possibility. Various antiviral therapies show promise of prolonging survival among patients and it seems almost certain that the future lies in multidrug therapy.