Condition Lookup

HIV Infection and AIDS

Symptoms:
fever; fatigue; weight loss; recurrent infections; diarrhea; opportunistic infections

Root Cause:
Progressive failure of the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), leading to opportunistic infections and AIDS in advanced stages.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
HIV antibody/antigen tests, CD4+ T-cell count, viral load testing, and clinical evaluation.

Treatment:
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) using a combination of drugs, supportive care, and treatment of opportunistic infections.

Medications:
ART includes classes like NRTIs (e.g., tenofovir , lamivudine ), NNRTIs (e.g., efavirenz ), protease inhibitors (e.g., darunavir ), and integrase inhibitors (e.g., dolutegravir ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 38 million people worldwide as of 2023.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Unprotected sexual activity, intravenous drug use, blood transfusions, and vertical transmission from mother to child.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Improved significantly with ART; life expectancy approaches normal with early and consistent treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Opportunistic infections, malignancies, neurocognitive disorders, and chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease.

HIV-Associated Distal Painful Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HIV and Nutrition

Symptoms:
pain and burning sensations in the feet and hands; numbness; tingling; loss of reflexes; muscle weakness

Root Cause:
Damage to peripheral nerves caused by direct HIV infection, immune-mediated mechanisms, or antiretroviral therapy (e.g., dideoxynucleoside analogs).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, history of HIV infection, nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), and exclusion of other causes of neuropathy.

Treatment:
Pain management, discontinuation of offending antiretroviral drugs if applicable, physical therapy, and addressing nutritional deficiencies.

Medications:
Medications include anticonvulsants such as gabapentin or pregabalin , antidepressants like amitriptyline or duloxetine , and topical agents like capsaicin cream. Pain relief may also involve opioids in severe cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 30%-60% of people living with HIV, particularly in advanced stages of the disease.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced HIV infection, use of neurotoxic antiretroviral drugs, poor nutritional status, diabetes, and alcohol use.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Symptoms may persist despite treatment, but early intervention can reduce severity and improve quality of life. Progression depends on HIV management and associated comorbidities.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, decreased mobility, falls, and diminished quality of life.

Neuromuscular and Myopathic Complications of HIV

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HIV and Nutrition

Symptoms:
muscle weakness; muscle pain; fatigue; difficulty with coordination; neuropathy such as numbness or tingling in extremities

Root Cause:
Damage to muscles or nerves caused by direct HIV effects, chronic inflammation, opportunistic infections, or side effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, muscle biopsy, and blood tests for creatine kinase levels.

Treatment:
Management of underlying HIV infection with optimized ART, physical therapy, and treatment of specific complications like opportunistic infections or drug-induced myopathy.

Medications:
Medications may include antiretroviral drugs to control HIV (e.g., integrase inhibitors, protease inhibitors), corticosteroids for inflammatory conditions, and neuropathic pain medications such as gabapentin or pregabalin . Muscle relaxants or NSAIDs may be prescribed for pain.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Neuromuscular complications occur in up to 15-25% of HIV patients, depending on disease progression and treatment adherence.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced HIV, poor adherence to ART, opportunistic infections, certain ART regimens (e.g., zidovudine-associated myopathy), nutritional deficiencies.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With effective ART, prognosis improves significantly; however, some complications may lead to persistent symptoms or long-term disability if not managed promptly.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, permanent muscle weakness, disability, increased risk of falls or injuries, and diminished quality of life.