They are also associated with drug abuse and addiction, which can increase HIV risk through needle sharing and through decreasing the likelihood that safer-sex practices (such as condom use) will be used." (A Positive Life Aids Service Organizations, 2009)

VII. Management

The individual who is newly diagnosed with HIV infection should provide a history that is complete followed by a physical examination to check for clinical manifestations of the disease. It is critical to determine CD5 cell counts and plasma HIV-1-RNA levels for the purpose of establishment of the prognosis and informing the decision whether to begin antiretroviral therapy. The treatment regimen consists of combination antiretroviral therapy. The initial emphasis in newly HIV-diagnose patients should be "on counseling with regard to the disease process, limiting the risk of secondary transmission, ensuring that there is proper support for the patient, and building a trusting relationship between the patient and the caregiver."...
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