HIV Today.
by: Miami Beach Community Health Center

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Research has shown that the infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breast milk. The major routes of transmission are unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated needles, and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth, or through breast milk.

Statistics from 2006 compiled by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) show that the AIDS epidemic has claimed the lives of over 25 million people. An average of 40,000 new HIV infections are diagnosed each year in the United States, although the past few years have shown a rather constant rate of new infections according to CDC sources recently reported. Populations showing higher risks of infection are men who have sex with men (MSM) and injection drug users. Some studies indicate an increase in the number of women, ethnic minorities, and young people. 

Antiretroviral (ARV) medications have signifficantly increased survival rate and improved the quality of life of those affected by this epidemic. Drug research and development by the pharmaceutical industry has brought about a new era in pharmacochinetics, with the continued approval of new medications, and several others in the pipeline. The merciless nature of the virus has forced the FDA to expedite approval of many of these pharmacos in the past, making them available to the public in a fraction of the usual time needed for drug approval. Currently, thanks to an arsenal of effective drugs available for treatment, the treatment goals aim at total viral suppression, for both ARV-naïve and experienced candidates. Despite these achievements, there is still a great disparity, greatly attributed to socio-economic as well as racial and ethnic differences in the affected population. Census and studies alike indicate that African Americans and Hispanics suffer the higher impact of this disease. 

Services available at MBCHC include prenatal care, pediatric well and acute primary health care including parent support and developmental screening and referral, acute and well adult primary health care, laboratory and pharmacy services, podiatry, oral health and nutritional and mental health counseling.
Among the various special programs developed in the center, the Immune Support Program (ISP) is a comprehensive model of care dedicated to providing primary health care and supportive services for the HIV/AIDS population of Miami-Dade County. The program strives to prevent the spread of the HIV epidemic while improving the health and well-being of those living with HIV and AIDS. Funded by Ryan White Title I since 1990 and Title III since 1994, it has specially targeted racial and ethnic minorities and gay/lesbian youth and adults of the Miami Beach area.