These include the nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, and the kidneys. Certain cancers, such as lymphoma, may arise. Without effective treatment, patients with AIDS may die within two to three years, usually from one of the infectious complications. This unremitting course is often made more tragic by the stigmatization of AIDS patients. Frequently, they may become socially isolated, as they may be avoided by friends and family and prevented from returning to work.
New drugs involving retroviruses and protease inhibitors are currently available.
These can prolong the life of patients with AIDS and may prevent some complications. Research into a possible vaccine is also being pursued on several fronts. AIDS has already had far-reaching effects in areas as diverse as education, sexual mores, substance abuse, health care, medical research, and the economy. Hospitals and clinics are learning to share responsibility for the care of AIDS patients with hospices, nursing homes, and other medical facilities. AIDS research may lead to a cure and a vaccine and will surely increase our knowledge in the fields of immunology, virology, and drug therapy.