1. History of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic -- 2. Biology of HIV infection -- 3. What the HIV causes: clinical manifestations and diagnoses -- 4. Transmission of HIV and prevention of AIDS -- 5. Psychosocial aspects of AIDS -- 6. Neuropsychiatric aspects of AIDS and HIV infection -- 7. Supportive measures: living with AIDS -- 8. Economic impact of AIDS on the health care system -- 9. Ethical and legal dimensions of AIDS for health professions -- 10. Health care professionals' role in the treatment of AIDS -- 11. AIDS and health care workers: case studies. -- Appendixes