Review Article

Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired ImmuneDeficiency Syndrome: What is the Least a General Medicine TraineeShould Know

Asif Hussain1
National Hospital, DHA, Lahore, Pakistan
Jawaria Avais2
Consultant Family Medicine, Australia

✉ Correspondence: Asif Hussain Email: drasifhussain@gmail.com

DOI https://doi.org/10.70302/jpsim.v6i3.2540
Volume: 6, Issue 3 Pages: 215–222 Published: 23 Aug 2025
Received: 10 Jul 2025 Revised: 14 Jul 2025 Accepted: 28 Jul 2025 Published Online: 23 Aug 2025

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been a global health issue in developed countries. It has significant complications that lead to its morbidities and mortality. It has a substantial impact on the quality of life and the health economy. In addition, there is no cure, which makes it a lifelong disease. However, with the advances in healthcare and new medications, the disease can be controlled. HIV is on the rise in Pakistan and isn't a rare disease anymore. There are many factors which can be reasons for this endemic disease, including globalisation and travelling. However, many local factors also contribute to its spread, such as blood transfusions, needle sharing, and IVDU, razors and needle sharing by barbers and quacks respectively, & changing sexual preferences and practices. Therefore, our trainees should know the main points of the disease. The review has avoided going into the molecular or microbiological details of the virus or the disease, as that can distract them from knowing the bare minimum clinically essential information, and it is also beyond the scope of those who are not in ID or Microbiology training.

How to Cite This Article

Hussain A, Avais J. Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired ImmuneDeficiency Syndrome: What is the Least a General Medicine TraineeShould Know. J Pak Soc Intern Med. 2025;6(3):215–222. doi:10.70302/jpsim.v6i3.2540

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Conflict of Interest

All authors declare no competing interests.

Disclosed in accordance with ICMJE and COPE guidelines.

Funding

No specific funding was received for this research.

Funder information follows the Crossref Funder Registry standard.

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CC BY CC BY 4.0 This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. May be shared and adapted with attribution. © 2025 Journal of Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine.
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