AIDS-related diseases

AIDS-related diseases are those that affect HIV-positive patients, due to the weakness of their immune system, such as Tuberculosis, Pneumonia or Lymphoma, for example.

Not all of them are serious and can be controlled, but whenever the patient has any of them, treatment must be redoubled because in addition to antiretrovirals, it is essential to fight opportunistic infection to guarantee the patient's life.

Main AIDS-related illnesses

People diagnosed with AIDS are more likely to develop several other diseases due to the fragility of the immune system and the body as a whole. Thus, the main diseases that may be related to AIDS are:

1. Respiratory diseases

AIDS patients can easily develop colds and flu, which can be resolved easily. However, due to the impairment of the immune system, there may be the development of more serious diseases, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, for example, whose treatment is more complex.

Main symptoms: The symptoms of respiratory diseases are similar, with fever, headache, feeling of heaviness in the body, runny nose, weakness and dry cough or with phlegm, being common in cases of tuberculosis and pneumonia, for example. Know how to differentiate between flu and cold symptoms.

How to treat: The treatment of respiratory diseases usually involves rest and the intake of plenty of fluids. In addition, the use of nasal decongestants or antibiotics may be recommended, in the case of tuberculosis and pneumonia, when it is caused by bacteria. The recommended antibiotic should be made according to the doctor's guidance so that there is no further involvement of the organism.

2. Skin diseases

Skin diseases can be common in people with AIDS due to the decreased activity of the immune system, which allows microorganisms present in the skin to develop, increasing the chances of diseases, such as ringworm, for example, which is a disease of skin caused by fungus.

In addition, AIDS patients are more likely to have purpura, which can happen due to inflammation of the blood vessels, leading to the appearance of red spots on the skin. Know the main types of purple.

Main symptoms: The symptoms of ringworm are very clear, with itchy skin and the appearance of red and scaly lesions. In purple there is also the appearance of red spots spread over the skin, but there may also be fever and bleeding from the nose, gums or urinary tract.

How to treat: In the case of mycoses, the most recommended is the guidance of a dermatologist so that the lesions can be evaluated and the best ointment or cream to be applied on the spot can be indicated. In the case of purpura, the doctor may also recommend the use of a cream rich in vitamin K, such as Thrombocid, for example, which must be applied on the skin until the spots disappear.

3. Infectious diseases

Due to the decrease in the activity of the immune system, people with AIDS are more likely to develop infections, which can be caused by both viruses, bacteria and parasites, such as neurotoxoplasmosis, for example, which is an infectious disease characterized by the presence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in the nervous system.

In addition, due to immunological impairment, microorganisms belonging to the body may also begin to proliferate in an uncoordinated manner, with infection, such as persistent or recurrent candidiasis.

Main symptoms: Symptoms of infectious diseases vary according to the location of the infection and the causative agent, however most of the time there may be fever, malaise, excessive tiredness, cold sweat, abdominal discomfort and itching, for example.

How to treat: Treatment is also done according to the type of infection and symptoms presented by the patient, in addition to considering the person's health status. Thus, the doctor can indicate the use of antibiotics, antiparasitic or antifungal agents, however, the indication of the medication is done according to the medications that the person is using to treat AIDS, because otherwise there may be drug interaction.

4. Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases can be related to AIDS due to the increased predisposition to accumulate fat inside the arteries, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, stroke or infarction.

Main symptoms: The main symptoms of heart problems are chest pain, excessive fatigue and no apparent cause, cold sweat, change in heart rate, dizziness and fainting. It is important to go to the doctor as soon as signs of heart problems appear so that the cause of these symptoms can be investigated.

How to treat: The best form of treatment for cardiovascular diseases is to avoid the accumulation of fat through a healthy and low-fat diet, in addition to the practice of physical activities on a regular basis and accompanied by a physical education professional.

However, as soon as the first symptoms of cardiovascular diseases appear, it is important to consult the cardiologist so that tests can be performed and treatment can be started, avoiding possible complications. Know when to go to the cardiologist.

5. Kidney diseases

Kidney diseases can also happen in people with AIDS due to the use of medicines for life, which can compromise the activity of the kidneys by filtering and excreting substances that are in excess in the body, favoring the occurrence of kidney stones.

Main symptoms: In the case of kidney stones, the main symptoms are severe pain in the lower back and which can be limiting, fever and pain when urinating. In the case of kidney failure, which is when the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood and eliminate urea and creatinine through urine, for example, the main symptoms are foamy urine, a strong smell and a small amount, fever above 39ºC, easy tiredness and increased pressure.

How to treat: Treatment for kidney diseases is done according to the guidance of the nephrologist or urologist, with the use of antihypertensive drugs and diuretics, such as Furosemide, for example, being generally indicated. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids during the day, maintain a balanced diet and avoid consuming too much protein, as it can overload the kidneys even more.

In the case of kidney stones, it is important that the doctor identifies the location of the stone and the size so that the best form of treatment is indicated, also taking into account the person's age and health status. Know the main forms of treatment for kidney stone.

6. Cancer

Some people diagnosed with AIDS are at a higher risk of developing cancer throughout their lives due to changes in their immune system. The main type of cancer related to AIDS is lymphoma, in which the main cells affected are lymphocytes, which are blood cells responsible for the defense of the organism. Learn all about lymphoma.

Main symptoms: The symptom most associated with lymphoma is the swelling of the lymph nodes located in the armpit, groin, neck, stomach, intestine and skin. In addition, there is weight loss, pain, fever, loss of appetite and malaise.

How to treat: The treatment of lymphoma is done according to the stage of the disease, the person's age and general health, and should be recommended by the oncologist or hematologist. Usually the indicated treatment is chemotherapy, radiotherapy or bone marrow transplantation.

7. Weight loss syndrome

It is a term that refers to the loss of 10% or more of weight without an apparent cause and that can happen due to metabolic changes caused by the virus, other opportunistic infections or as a side effect of medications.

Many AIDS patients also have neurological problems, such as memory problems, lack of concentration and difficulty in performing complex tasks, for example.

Treatment of AIDS-related illnesses

The treatment of AIDS-related illnesses should be done with the use of medicines prescribed by the doctor to control the infection, in addition to antiretroviral therapy, with the use of the cocktail. However, it is possible that there is drug interaction and to reduce the patient's unpleasant symptoms the doctor may indicate the use of other drugs.

Treatment can sometimes be done at home, but many doctors recommend hospitalization for better infection control to occur, increasing the chances of a cure. After controlling the disease, the doctor may recommend that the patient stay on antiretroviral therapy only and perform AIDS tests to confirm the concentration of lymphocytes and CD4 in the blood.

To help identify the disease, see what are the main symptoms of AIDS.