Since approximately 40% to 65% of patients with AIDS will develop pulm
onary disease, HIV-seropositive patients represent a large cohort of i
mmunosuppressed individuals with the potential to progress to respirat
ory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and admission to the inte
nsive care unit. This article reviews the cause, pathophysiology, diag
nostic approach, and management of acute respiratory failure requiring
mechanical ventilation in HIV-seropositive patients. Prognostic facto
rs and survival rates for episodes of respiratory failure are also dis
cussed. In addition, an overview of acute respiratory failure in pedia
tric AIDS patients is presented.