by Sherrol A. Reynolds OD, FAAO Over 35 years have passed since the first diagnosis of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States. Despite a decrease in the number of HIV infections since the height of the epidemic in the mid-1980s, HIV continues to be a serious health problem. Approximately 36.7 million people
What is HIV? HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that can cause AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) if not treated. HIV attacks the body’s immune system, which helps fight off infections. Over time, HIV weakens the body’s ability to fight off serious infections (opportunistic infections) and some cancers. When this happens, HIV infection becomes AIDS.
