In this episode, we break down the essentials of HIV infection and AIDS, focusing on transmission, disease progression, and evidence-based nursing care. We’ll review how HIV is transmitted and distinguish between acute infection and the stages of chronic HIV, connecting pathophysiology to clinical manifestations you’ll see at the bedside.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of HIV testing, including screening and confirmatory methods, and compare prevention strategies that eliminate risk versus those that reduce risk—highlighting key concepts in health promotion and patient education.

We’ll also cover the long-term consequences of HIV and antiretroviral therapy, including metabolic complications and medication adherence challenges. The episode outlines the diagnostic criteria for AIDS and reviews common opportunistic infections, emphasizing early recognition and prevention.

Throughout, we focus on nursing management, including monitoring immune status, preventing infection, supporting adherence to therapy, and providing compassionate, stigma-free care for both HIV-positive and at-risk patients. This episode equips nurses with the clinical knowledge and communication skills needed to manage HIV across the continuum of care.