Perhaps the most important lesson of the past 20 years is that
the HIV/AIDS pandemic has continued to escalate despite our
greatest technological efforts. We've known the entire genetic
code of HIV for more than 15 years, and we understand its
biology. But humbly, we really don't understand
enough—especially the intricacies of the way HIV interacts with
the human body. HIV is simple by appearance, yet complex beyond
our wildest dreams. A vaccine and a cure remain elusive. The sad
fact is that millions will die each year and the pandemic will
continue to escalate. However, as a world community, we will
persevere. Combined antiviral therapy promises longer and
higher-quality survival for HIV-infected people, and cheaper
regimens makes it likely that more of the world's infected
population will live longer. Ultimately, research is our best
hope. Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dangerous
Diseases and Epidemics © 2002 by David Perlin, Ph.D., and Ann
Cohen. All rights reserved including the right of re