COMPLICATIONS OF

HIV/AIDS

HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Implies the entire course of HIV
infection, from asymptomatic infection
and early symptoms to AIDS.
A chronic condition, controllable with
medications and strict adherence to
treatment recommendations

AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Most severe from of a continuum of
illnesses associated with HIV.
If untreated, it causes slow
degeneration of the immune system
with the development of opportunistic
infections and malignancies.

Causative Agent

A retrovirus that infects and depletes

the CD4+ T-helper lymphocytes (one
of the protector of the immune
system.

Body fluids known to

transmit
HIV
Blood
Vaginal secretions
Semen
Breast milk

HIV is transmitted by:

Injection of blood or blood
components.
Sexual contact (vaginal or anal
intercourse, oral sex)
Perinatally (from an infected mother to
the child)

COMPLICATIONS

Candidiasis
Common fungal infection that can be treated with
antifungal medications following a simple visual
examination. Candidiasis is a common opportunistic
infection in people with HIV. It is an infection caused
by a common type of yeast (or fungus) called
candida. This yeast is found in most peoples
bodies. A healthy immune system keeps it under
control. Candida usually infects the mouth, throat,
or vagina.

Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is an abnormal growth
of cells in the cervix that can be life
threatening. It develops following
cervical dysplasia. Cervical cancer is
considered an AIDS-defining illness or
opportunistic infection.

Coccidioidomycosis
Common fungal infection that can lead
to pneumonia if left untreated.

Cryptococcosis
Fungal infection that often enters
through the lungs, quickly spreading to
the patients brain, often leading to
cryptococcal
meningitis.
Left
untreated, this fungal infection is often
fatal.

Cryptosporidiosis
This diarrheal disease often becomes
chronic; it is characterized by severe
diarrhea and abdominal cramping.

Cytomegalovirus

This common global virus affects most adults during

their lifetime. In HIV/AIDS patients, it often presents
with eye or gastrointestinal infections. Normally, it
hides out in the body. This is not a problem for most
people because a healthy immune system can easily
control it. However, it can cause severe disease in
people with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It's
able to take advantage of a weakened immune
system, which is why it's called an opportunistic
infection. The most common illness CMV causes is
retinitis, an eye infection that can lead to blindness.

HIV-related encephalopathy
Often referred to as HIV/AIDs-related
dementia, it can be defined as a
degenerative brain condition affecting
patients with CD4 counts of less than
100. Current estimates suggest it
impacts roughly 25 percent of AIDS
patients.

Herpes simplex (chronic) and

herpes zoster

Herpes simplex can be characterized as

red, painful sores that appear on the
mouth or genital area. Herpes zoster, or
shingles, presents with painful blisters
on skin surfaces. While there is no cure
for either, medications are available to
alleviate some symptoms.

Herpes simplex

Herpes Zoster

Histoplasmosis

Infection by a fungus found in the

droppings of birds and bats in humid
areas. It is not serious if confined to
the lungs but can be fatal if spread
throughout the body.

Isosporiasis
This parasitic fungus develops when
patients drink or come into contact with
contaminated food and water sources. It
is currently treated with antiparasitic
drugs. Isosporiasis is a human intestinal
disease caused by the parasite Isospora
belli. It is found worldwide, especially in
tropical and subtropical areas.

Kaposis sarcoma
This form of cancer often presents with
either oral lesions or lesions covering
the skin surfaces. Current treatments
include radiation and/or chemotherapy
to shrink the tumors and antiretroviral
therapy to boost the bodys CD4 cell
count.

Lymphoma
A variety of cancers frequently present
in HIV/AIDS patients. Treatment will
vary based upon the cancer type and
condition of the patient.

Mycobacterium avium complex

These environmental bacteria often
present in patients with severely
compromised immune systems, CD4
cell counts of less than 50. If this
bacteria enters the bloodstream, it
often results in death.

Pneumocystis carinii
pneumonia
Pneumocystis
pneumonia (PCP) is a serious
infection that causes inflammation and
fluid buildup in the lungs. It is caused by a
fungus called Pneumocystis jiroveci. This OI
is currently the leading cause of death in
HIV/AIDS patients. Careful monitoring and
antibiotic therapies are currently used to
treat the patient following diagnosis.
Pneumoniathat has become chronic.

Progressive multifocal
leukoencephalopathy
This neurological condition often
affects patients with CD4 cell counts
below 200. While there is no current
treatment for this disease, some
response has been shown with
antiretroviral therapies.

Toxoplasmosis

This parasitic infection commonly

strikes HIV/AIDS patients with CD4 cell
counts that have fallen below 200.
Prophylaxis treatments are used as a
preventive
measure
for
patients
posting low CD4 cell counts.

Tuberculosis.
Most common in low-income areas of the
globe, tuberculosis can be successfully
treated in most cases if caught early. TB
is a disease caused by a bacterium
called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The
bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB
bacteria can attack any part of the body
such as the kidney, spine, and brain.

Wasting syndrome (HIV-related)

Defined as unwanted body loss and a
total weight loss of more than 10
percent of the patients normal body
weight. Treatment involves dietary
management
and
continued
antiretroviral therapy.

The HIV virus puts people at risk for a wide range of

infections. This can include a number of conditions that
can lead to rashes, sores, and lesions. Skin conditions
are among the earliest signs of the presence of HIV in
the body. Theyre often viewed as markers for the
diseases progression. According to Indian Journal of
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS, approximately
90 percent of all people with HIV will have rash-like
symptoms during the course of their disease. HIVrelated rashes generally fall into one of three categories:
1.Generalized dermatitis
2.Bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections
3.Skin tumors

Generalized Dermatitis
Dermatitis, or generalized skin rashes, is
the most commonly experienced symptom
of HIV. Some typical types of dermatitis
are:
1. Xerosis
Xerosis is dryness of the skin, which often
appears as dry, itchy, and scaly skin patches
on the arms and legs.

2. Atopic Dermatitis
This is a chronic inflammatory
condition. It often causes red, scaly,
and itchy rashes.

3. Prurigo Nodularis
Prurigo nodularis is a condition in which lumps on
the skin cause scab-like appearances and
itchiness. This type of dermatitis is typically seen
among people with extremely compromised
immune systems.

4. Eosinophillic Folliculitis
This skin disease is characterized by
itchy, red bumps centered on hair
follicles in the upper body. This form of
dermatitis is found most frequently in
people in later stages of the diseases
progression.

Infections
A number of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic
infections impact people infected with HIV during
the course of their disease. The most commonly
reported infections include:
1. Herpes Zoster
Herpes zoster is caused by the same underlying
virus as household chickenpox. It can cause
shingles, a condition in which painful skin rashes
and bumps appear in people with HIV. Treatment
often involves antiviral drug regimens.

2. Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum
contagiosum
is
characterized by pink or flesh-colored
bumps on the skin. This highly
contagious skin virus often impacts
people with HIV. Repetitive treatments
may be needed to completely rid the
body of these unwanted bumps.
Current treatment options, according
to Johns Hopkins, include freezing the
bumps with liquid nitrogen, topical

3. Oral Hairy Leukoplakia

This oral viral infection can be
characterized as thick, white lesions on
the tongue. Ongoing antiretroviral
treatments will improve the bodys
immune system and ability to rid itself
of this virus.

4. Thrush

This fungal infection causes a thick

white layer on the tongue. This
recurrent infection can be challenging
to treat. Current options include
antifungal medications, oral rinses,
and oral lozenges.

Skin Lesions
1. Kaposi sarcoma, a form of cancer that
impacts the lining of lymph nodes or blood
vessels, appears as dark lesions on the skin
that are brown, purple, or reddish in color.
This form of cancer can impact the lungs,
digestive tract, and liver. It can cause
shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and
swelling of the skin.