AIDS HIV Treatment Issues

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a chronic disease that severely weakens the immune system, which leaves the body vulnerable to infections and other diseases. Although there are a variety of antiretroviral drugs available to slow down the disease's progression into Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), there are side effects that range from mild to severe.

Loss of Appetite

• A loss of appetite can occur due to medication suppressing your appetite or from nausea, which can result in weight loss.

Lipodystrophy

• Your body's metabolism may change while on medication, and can cause loss of fat in face, legs, buttocks and midsection.

High Cholesterol

• The medication used to slow down the disease's progression can increase low-density lipoproteins, also known as "bad" cholesterol, which can result in heart disease.

Diarrhea

• Protease inhibitors nelfinavir and ritonavir are two popular medications that commonly cause frequent watery stools known as diarrhea.

Fatigue

• A lack of energy can be caused by the medications, and it may be a symptom of another condition caused by HIV called anemia, which is a low red blood cell count in your body.

Flatulence

• Excessive gas can build up in your stomach due to the antiretroviral medication, which can cause abdominal pain and bloating.