HEALTH AWARENESS

Ask Your Doctor-Is This HIV Related?

(NAPSM)-It has been more than 25 years since HIV was first diagnosed, and treatment of the disease and its symptoms has certainly come a long way. Today, patients are living longer lives than ever before thanks to newer treatments. Unfortunately, some patients may experience side effects and HIV-related complications caused by either the disease or treatments. While these can include a variety of ailments such as nausea, bone problems and neurological disorders, one complication that many people with HIV/AIDS are unaware of is anemia.

What Is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, is reduced in the blood. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), severe anemia affects approximately 36 percent of HIV-infected individuals. While moderate anemia is quite common in persons in the early stages of HIV, those with more advanced HIV disease or AIDS-defining illness usually have higher rates of anemia.

What Is The Relation Between HIV And Anemia?

Anemia in patients with HIV could be caused by a number of factors, including some of the medications used to treat HIV or the natural progression of the disease. By learning more about the symptoms of anemia and by talking to their doctor about what they are experiencing, patients can take the first important step toward getting diagnosed and receiving appropriate treatment.

How Are Patients Tested

For Anemia?

A simple blood test can determine if a patient is anemic, but subsequent testing will be necessary to diagnose the cause of the anemia. After diagnosis, treatment of anemia can be given to address the underlying cause and will be chosen by the physician based on the individual and cause of the anemia.

Is There A Way

To Prevent Anemia?

Due to its variety of causes, there is no way to prevent all HIV-related anemia. Once anemia is identified, however, the patient's health care professional can determine the proper treatment. HIV-positive patients should make sure that they talk to their doctor about anemia and other possible HIV-related complications to ensure they receive appropriate treatment.

A simple blood test can determine if a patient is anemic, but subsequent testing will be necessary to diagnose the cause of the anemia.