Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
|
|
 |
 |
HIV Diarrhea
Dec 26, 2001
Dear Dr,
How long since infection would a HIV+ person, who is not on medication, normally experience diarrhea, and what are the characteristics of the conditions?
Thank you and Merry X'mas and Happy New Year.
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Dr. Fisher
There are many causes of diarrhea in a person with HIV, some serious some not so serious. Evaluation is mandatory!
Opportunistic infections of the GI tract typically cause diarrhea. These include parasites such as cryptosporidia (picked up in drinking water), giardia and microsporidia. Bacteria such as salmonella and shigella usually cause severe acute diarrhea. Tumors or cancers of the intestines can do this too but fortunately are fairly uncommon. Advanced HIV with severe immunosuppression (very low CD4 counts) can directly cause diarrhea by effects on the lining cells of the small intestine. And of course causes unrelated to HIV (such as irritable bowel syndrome of inflammatory bowel disease) can occur in people with HIV. No matter what is happening to you get it checked out!
AF
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
