Impact of Bereavement on Progression of AIDS and HIV Infection: A Review

BackgroundHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease can cause bereavement and grief reactions brought about by the disease process itself and by the losses of loved ones.ObjectiveThe goal of this review is to assess the current literature regarding grief, HIV, and immunity.MethodThe authors reviewed applicable articles retrieved from a MEDLINE literature search with the search terms “bereavement/HIV,” “grief/HIV,” and “immunity/grief/HIV.”ResultsData continue to emerge that suggest a profound role for bereavement in mediating HIV illness and the need to deal effectively with bereavement issues.ConclusionsPatients who experience maladaptive grief show more rapid loss of CD4 T-cells over time, even when controlling for age, health status, use of antiretrovirals, and illicit drug abuse. This immune dysfunction may be managed by a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques.