HIV/AIDS: An Overview for Florida Healthcare Professionals

Course overview

HIV and AIDS remain a significant, persistent, world-wide problem. In 2019, an estimated 38 million people worldwide had HIV/AIDS (HIV.gov, 2020). The state of Florida's HIV infection rate is among the highest in the country, accounting for an estimated 12.5% of all cases in the United States (Miami Herald, 2019). It is imperative that Florida healthcare professionals not only understand treatment initiatives, but work aggressively to help prevent transmission of the infection. It is also essential for them to understand Florida law regarding reporting, testing, and confidentiality. Major progress has been made in understanding the many facets of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency disease (HIV/AIDS). Inroads into detection, immune response, and transmission have helped in the development of therapeutic interventions, including four-drug combination therapies. HIV-related research continues to contribute to the understanding of this complex disease, as well as many opportunistic, immune-deficiency-related health conditions. Not surprisingly, the law also must advance to meet the new legal, psychosocial, and ethical implications. Florida has specific laws governing HIV consent, testing, confidentiality, and counseling. This course provides rehabilitation professionals with an understanding of the transmission and prevention of HIV, infection control, clinical management, and Florida law regarding testing, confidentiality, and reporting. Recent changes in terminology and staging are also covered. This course meets the Florida state requirements for HIV/AIDS continuing education for rehabilitation professionals.