Abstract

AIDS: Dr. Stefan Mauss, a German physician with the HIV Consortium in Munich, explains his views on treating HIV. His views reflect the skepticism of European physicians about the American model of HIV treatment. Reasons for why he disagrees with the idea of eradication are given, as are his reasons for why treatment should begin when the patient is at higher risk for opportunistic infections, as judged by CD4+ counts. Decision making about treatment regimens and changes in those regimens are discussed, including decisions on the number of nucleosides to use, which anti-HIV drugs are preferred, and reasons for such preferences. The use of AZT in first-line therapy is examined.