Does HIV infection increase male sexual behavior?

Abstract

After 40 years of intense study on HIV/AIDS, scientists have identified, amongst other things, at risk populations, stages of disease progression, and treatment strategies. What has received less attention is the possibility that infection might elicit an increase in sexual behavior in humans. In 2000, Starks and colleagues speculated that HIV infection could alter host behavior in a manner that facilitated the spread of the virus. Retrospective and self-report data from five studies now support this hypothesis. Individuals with acute – versus nonacute – stage infections report more sexual partners and more frequent risky sex. Additionally, male sexual behavior increases non-linearly with HIV viral load, and data suggest a potential threshold viral level above which individuals are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. Taken together, these data suggest that HIV infection influences male sexual behavior in a manner beneficial to the virus. Here, we present these findings, highlight their limitations, and discuss alternative perspectives. We argue for increased testing of this hypothesis and advocate for increased public health measures to mitigate the putative impact on male sexual behavior. Lay Summary In 2000, Starks and colleagues speculated that HIV infection could alter host behavior in a manner that facilitated the spread of the virus. Retrospective and self-report data from five studies now support this hypothesis. We argue for increased testing of this hypothesis and advocate for increased public health measures to mitigate the putative impact on male sexual behavior.

Pattern of anemia and associated parameters in HIV positive patients taking highly active retroviral therapy (HAART)

“…According to the most recent National Nutritional Survey in Pakistan, around 41.7 percent of women of reproductive age were anemic, with a slightly higher percentage in rural (44.3 percent) settings than in urban (40.2 percent). 28 It is vital to mention that iron deficiency is the most common kind of anemia in Pakistan. Sindh has the highest frequency of iron deficiency anemia in Pakistan, followed by Balochistan (19.0 percent) and Punjab (18.7 percent).…”