HIV-INFECTION IN NONPREGNANT WOMEN - A REVIEW OF CURRENT KNOWLEDGE

HIV infection has become an important health problem among American wo men. The natural history of HIV infection and AIDS appears to be simil ar for women and men, and preliminary studies demonstrate similar surv ival and clinical events for both sexes. The natural history and prese ntation of common gynecologic infections and conditions may be altered by HIV. Most is known about cervical dysplasia. The risk of cervical dysplasia appears to be increased in women with HIV infection, progres sion of cervical dysplasia may be more rapid, severity of disease incr eased, particularly for women with HIV-related immunocompromise. Recen tly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added invasive cer vical cancer as an AIDS-defining condition. Vulvovaginal candidiasis, sexually transmitted diseases, including syphilis, herpes, and cytomeg alovirus, and pelvic inflammatory disease are also common in HIV-infec ted women. Preliminary data suggest that these conditions may be more severe and more difficult to treat in HIV-infected women than uninfect ed women. Women who are HIV-infected should have thorough evaluation a nd follow up of all gynecologic conditions, particularly as they becom e immunosuppressed.