ALCOHOL, AIDS AND IMMUNITY

In order to understand the potential impact of alcohol consumption on the course of the HIV/ AIDS pandemic we examine at least 3 very differ ent debates. In an attempt to summarise these debates we assess the im pact of alcohol consumption on numerous aspects of HIV infection, incl uding the relationship between alcohol use and likelihood of engagemen t in 'unsafe' sexual behaviour; the impact of alcohol on immune functi on and its importance as a co-factor for AIDS-related illness. We argu e that, contrary to popular belief, the consumption of alcohol does no t appear to make individuals more likely to engage in unsafe sex. Furt hermore, while alcohol has clearly been proven to effect immune functi on in vivo and in vitro there is no clear evidence that it plays any p art in individuals' susceptibility to HIV infection or has any effect on disease progression among persons with HIV infection. Clearly some of this research is in its infancy and such conclusions should be trea ted with caution.