People with HIV who have high levels of stress may progress to AIDS more rapidly, according to a press release summarizing study results reported in the most recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

The study, conducted by Sheldon Cohen, PhD, of Carnegie Mellon and his colleagues, reviewed the best published research evaluating links between stress and a variety of diseases, including HIV. Looking at studies conducted since 2000, the researchers found evidence that stress is associated with HIV disease progression. Stress, the authors conclude, may lead to unhealthy behaviors like poor eating habits and smoking, as well as hormone imbalances that affect the immune system.

The authors were careful to point out, however, that, “The majority of people confronted with even traumatic events remain disease-free. Stress increases your risk of developing disease, but it doesn't mean that just because you are exposed to stressful events, you are going to get sick.”