The Acute Infection and Early Disease Research Program (AIEDRP) studies how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes disease in adults. AIEDRP is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

AIEDRP is a multisite network. Each AIEDRP site consists of one or more universities or hospitals that conduct research with people who have been recently infected with HIV. Information gathered by AIEDRP scientists is shared in meetings and publications to improve HIV prevention and treatment strategies.

AIEDRP scientists conduct studies to increase our understanding of how HIV infects humans and how the disease progresses to AIDS. Scientists believe that events that occur during acute and early infection-including the use of antiretroviral medications-may determine the ultimate course of the disease.

In the first weeks and months of infection, people develop high levels of HIV circulating in the blood. This indicates the virus is multiplying rapidly. Studies have shown that people with more HIV in their blood during the first six months of infection are at higher risk of developing AIDS sooner in the absence of treatment than those who have lower levels.

People with lower levels of the virus generally stay healthy longer. Studies conducted by AIEDRP scientists investigate ways to keep viral levels low. Some of the studies involve medication, and others involve close observation of the immune system. Still other studies involve laboratory research on cellular and chemical reactions in the presence of HIV.

If you are interested in participating in an AIEDRP study, please talk with your doctor. To find out which AIEDRP sites may be in your area, please view the Sites page. And if you would like to see the kinds of questions that drive research in the AIEDRP network, please view our Publications link.