WOMEN, HIV NOTIFICATION AND BRIEF TREATMENT BRIDGING THE GAP TOWARDS IMMUNO-IMPROVED LIVING

Since mid-1995, much progress has been made against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with the dramatic effects of antiretroviral therapy Provocative speculation about the eradication of HIV virus is based on the assumption that cellular reservoirs have a short half- life and aggressive intervention through antiretrovial therapy prevents de novo infection of cells (Volderding & Deeks, 1998). The possibility of experiencing undetectable plasma HIV RNA levels, through combination therapy (antiretrovirals and protease inhibitors) is real and dramatic. As the medical profession focuses on advancing the viral suppression of HIV, mental health professionals attempt to provide services for clients who are dealing with a wide range of effects made by medication. Treatment of HIV through antiretroviral therapy, however, is costly and requires adherence to complex regimens and careful monitoring. Inequitable distribution of medical resources, in particular, new medications, excludes the poor, minorities and women. The mental health profession, while facing the challenges of the psychological effects of immunological improvements among some, must be careful not to allow the needs of the most vulnerable groups among the HIV infected to become obfuscated and neglected. Women continue to represent the fastest growing number among the recently diagnosed HIV infected (CDC 1996). It is anticipated that advances in antiretroviral therapy may create a shift among women, who have over the history of HIV epidemic, presented long delays in being tested for HIV, These changes present formidable challenges for mental health practitioners, especially among the brief treatment community. Brief therapies such as cognitive and cognitive-behavioral treatments hold much promise in providing gender-specific and culturally-sensitive treatment for newly- diagnosed women during this period towards immune-improved living.