Abstract
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the failure of immunity caused by Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The first reports of homosexual patients suffering from pneumocystis pneumonia and Kaposi´s sarcoma were published in 1981.
The estimated number of persons living with HIV worldwide is now assumed to be 33,2 milion. HIV infection can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated blood and maternofetal transmission.
In the following pages is presented the overview of the pathogenesis, classifications, complications, diagnosis, treatment and profylaxis of HIV infection.