The book's explicit systems analysis of HIV infection lends itself to a highly practical application by psychotherapists and other health care providers and by public health policymakers. The authors provide a functional overview of AIDS components and, using detailed case studies, develop the Rochester model of family systems therapy with both traditional and nontraditional family systems. They depict specific methods of engaging the patient's family and social and community systems in disease management; psychotherapeutic techniques are integrated with medical and neuropsychiatric treatment issues. Interweaving biological, socioeconomic, political, ethnic, and spiritual concerns, the volume stresses preventive training, risk reduction, and infection control, taking into account the strengths and limitations of a full range of public health measures. Health care professionals are provided with tools for self-education and self-protection, as well as for patient education and protection. The authors attempt to normalize the problems of HIV, health care worker burnout, and issues that will pose increasing dilemmas for health care professionals as the AIDS epidemic spreads. Specific attention is also paid to AIDS epidemiology and transmission and ethical issues in AIDS management. References, tables, and figures