HIV Wasting Syndrome

Wasting syndrome is a common occurence with HIV-positive individuals, especially once the infection has progressed to AIDS. Not everyone infected with HIV is affected by wasting syndrome, however, and treatments are available to help prevent or reverse HIV-related wasting.

Defining Wasting

• Wasting is typically thought of as the unintentional losing of 10 percent or more of an individual's total body weight in a month. This weight loss is accompanied by persistent diarrhea and weakness, and may also include loss of appetite or nausea.

Difference Between Weight Loss and Wasting

• Wasting is unintentional weight loss, and occurs in conjunction with dehydrating symptoms such as persistent diarrhea. Standard weight loss is more gradual than wasting, and occurs without the additional symptoms that accompany wasting.

Medication and Wasting

• Some antiretroviral medications given to treat HIV infection can cause body weight to distribute differently, a condition that is often confused for wasting. Weight loss due to side effects of medication is generally not as severe as the weight loss that occurs due to wasting. The negative side effects of these medications may make wasting symptoms worse if wasting syndrome is already present, however.

Other Causes

• The increased absorption of nutrients due to opportunistic infections and parasites is one cause of HIV wasting syndrome. Low food intake associated with HIV-related loss of appetite is also a common cause of wasting, especially when accompanied by medication-related nausea.

Treatment for Wasting

• Wasting syndrome is typically treated by attempting to treat the underlying cause of the wasting. Anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medications are sometimes given, as well as using nutritional supplements designed to provide needed hydration, nutrients and regularity. States that allow medical marijuana also see it prescribed as a means to stimulate appetite and combat wasting.