AIDS in the Third World. Africa suffers most

AIDS is now world-wide, and the HIV infection is spreading rapidly via the heterosexual route. Among the Third World countries those in sub-Saharan Africa are the hardest hit, it is estimated that one in 40 of the adult population is already infected. Half of the victims are women, who will give birth to a large number of infected children. The clinical picture of full-blown AIDS in an African patient is not very different from elsewhere. However, other AIDS-related conditions seem to be influenced by a variety of endogenic pathogens which might explain the development of the typical wasting syndrome, i.e. "Slim" disease. Tuberculosis is the most typical opportunistic infection in Africa, and adds another dimension to the misfortune. The outlook is gloomy in the light of the potential for widespread disruption of normal social and economic activities.