Asymptomatic HIV infection

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Asymptomatic HIV infection

HIV infection - asymptomatic

The timing of antiretroviral therapy for asymptomatic individuals is controversial. All asymptomatic individuals with CD4 counts of less than 200 should be on therapy.

Some doctors would also treat individuals with CD4 counts between 200 and 350, but the increasingly recognized long-term toxicities (toxic side effects) of the antiretroviral medications has made this less common.

Additional factors, such as patient readiness and the ability to adhere to therapy, must be taken into consideration before starting antiretroviral therapy.

The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See AIDS - support group.

HIV is a chronic medical condition that can be treated, but not cured. The availability of combination antiretroviral therapy has significantly delayed the progression to AIDS and decreased the incidence of AIDS-related opportunistic infections.

Individuals with asymptomatic infection may progress to symptomatic HIV infection and develop opportunistic infections associated with HIV. In addition, pregnant women with asymptomatic HIV infection may still transmit HIV to their fetus.

Notify your health care provider if you have HIV and you develop fevers, weight loss, swollen glands, and/or night sweats, as you will need to be evaluated and antiretroviral therapy might need to be considered.

Review Date: 02/13/2006
Reviewed By: Monica Gandhi, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.