Anaesthesia and intensive care for HIV patients

The anaesthetic problems presented by patients with HIV infection remain a challenge. Longer survival with treatment is overlaying these problems with age-related comorbidities. Intensive care demand is increasingly warranted for treatment-related side effects and oncological manifestations of the HIV. New treatments may offer the promise of fewer side effects and better safety profiles but, as with other infections, drug resistance is increasing. This article provides an overview of HIV infection, its diagnosis, complications and treatment, and highlights areas of specific concern to anaesthetists and intensivists, including the risks of blood-borne infections, and advice regarding post-exposure prophylaxis.