HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cates, W Articles by Cohen, M S Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cates, W, Jr Articles by Cohen, M S

Primary HIV infection--a public health opportunity.

W Cates, Jr, M A Chesney and M S Cohen

Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.

Primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection should be considered a key target for HIV prevention activities. Mathematical models suggest that the primary HIV infection interval makes a disproportionate contribution to the HIV epidemic, perhaps accounting for as many as half of the existing infections at any point in time. If this is true, primary infection presents a special window of opportunity within which to exert a maximum impact on the spread of HIV. A combination of biological, behavioral, and social factors may account for the influence of primary infection on the HIV epidemic. HIV prevention measures can be focused on each of these factors. Biologically, detecting individuals early in the course of infection and offering treatment can reduce viral load and possibly an individual's infectiousness. Behaviorally, counseling newly infected persons about the importance of adopting safer practices may instill prevention behaviors at a critical time. Socially, using a network approach to notify persons exposed to those with primary infections can dampen the amplification effect of rapid HIV spread through high-risk environments. By focusing prevention efforts on the primary HIV infection interval, public health officials could increase their leverage in slowing the HIV epidemic.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. Q. Nguyen, C. A. Ford, J. S. Kaufman, P. A. Leone, C. Suchindran, and W. C. Miller HIV Testing Among Young Adults in the United States: Associations with Financial Resources and Geography Am J Public Health, June 1, 2006; 96(6): 1031 - 1034. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Coco The Cost-Effectiveness of Expanded Testing for Primary HIV Infection Ann. Fam. Med, September 1, 2005; 3(5): 391 - 399. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Coco and E. Kleinhans Prevalence of Primary HIV Infection in Symptomatic Ambulatory Patients Ann. Fam. Med, September 1, 2005; 3(5): 400 - 404. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S S Bloom, M Urassa, R Isingo, J Ng'weshemi, and J T Boerma Community effects on the risk of HIV infection in rural Tanzania Sex. Transm. Inf., August 1, 2002; 78(4): 261 - 266. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Pilcher, J. T. McPherson, P. A. Leone, M. Smurzynski, J. Owen-O'Dowd, A. L. Peace-Brewer, J. Harris, C. B. Hicks, J. J. Eron Jr, and S. A. Fiscus Real-time, Universal Screening for Acute HIV Infection in a Routine HIV Counseling and Testing Population JAMA, July 10, 2002; 288(2): 216 - 221. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. R. Friedman, B. J. Kottiri, A. Neaigus, R. Curtis, S. H. Vermund, and D. C. Des Jarlais Network-related Mechanisms May Help Explain Long-term HIV-1 Seroprevalence Levels That Remain High but Do Not Approach Population-Group Saturation Am. J. Epidemiol., November 15, 2000; 152(10): 913 - 922. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. D. M. Kashuba, J. R. Dyer, L. M. Kramer, R. H. Raasch, J. J. Eron, and M. S. Cohen Antiretroviral-Drug Concentrations in Semen: Implications for Sexual Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., August 1, 1999; 43(8): 1817 - 1826. [Full Text]