Hiv Wasting Prognosis

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Wasting Syndrome

Hormone levels can affect the metabolism. HIV seems to change some hormone levels including testosterone and thyroid. Also, cytokines play a role in wasting. Cytokines are proteins that produce inflammation to help the body fight infections. People with HIV have very high levels of cytokines. This makes the body produce more fats and sugars, but less protein. Unfortunately, these factors can work together to create a "downward spiral." For...

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CD4 Results...Prognosis?

I just found out that my father has AIDS. He believes he was infected 16 years ago. His VL is in the thousands and his CD-4 count is 23. He is wasting considerably, he's gone from 205 lbs to 155 in seven months. He has Hepatitis A and B....

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

From the numbers you describe, he has relatively advanced HIV infection and AIDS. If he has not been treated before, he has a good chance of recovering significant CD4 cells, which will decrease his risk of serious infections. HIV is a very... Read more »

500K Viral Load, 20 TCell Prognosis

With a 500,000 Viral Load and a 20 T Cell Count, including wasting from 170 to 125 lbs. Just diagnosed and starting meds, is it too late for the meds to work? How long to live? This is for a friend, so I'd love the facts....

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

That is pretty advanced HIV and AIDS. However, it is never too late for HIV meds to start working. Once the viral load becomes undetectable, the CD4 count will begin to rise, they will no longer be at risk for serious opportunistic infections, and... Read more »

prognosis with CD4 <100, cmv,mrsa and pseudomonas

my brother was diagnosed with HIV in 1984, began medications, triple drug cocktail in 1996. He did well,but stopped taking the HIV meds about 6 yrs ago. Now with AIDS bilateral pneumonia of psuedomonas, MRSA and CMV. bilateral lower extremity blood...

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

Much of what has developed is reversible. It is very likely that a potent HIV regimen can be prescribed to get control the of the virus and increase the CD4 count so he can recover from these various infections.... Read more »

Aging/AIDS/Prognosis

In the early 1990s I was diagnosed as having AIDS based on a CD4 count below 100, wasting syndrome, thrush, and several other OIs.Over the past years my CD4 count will respond to a new treatment by increasing to the upper 300 to lower 400 range for...

Response from Joseph McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P.

North Shore University Hospital

You raise a number of very important and challenging issues. There is much ongoing research to help address these points.Recovery of CD4 counts on HAART is called immune recontitution. It has been observed in a number of trials that the level of... Read more »

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HIV/AIDS Lipoatrophy (Facial Wasting)

Posted by bradford, 2 Replies

HIV/AIDS Lipoatrophy (Facial Wasting)

Individuals living with HIV and AIDS may not only have to deal with the threat of illness but the toll of illness. All that is required to stay healthy and alive can leave an everlasting mark! I'm referring to... Read more »

Wasting?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Is "wasting" a sure sign of HIV infection? I've lost a lot of weight in the last couple of months and have nausea and poor appetite. It's been a while since my last "questionable" encounter, but I feel my health declining rapidly. Read more »

Wasting Worries

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Ok. Haven't had really any "symptoms" of HIV. But, it seems like over the last year since my posible exposure, I have lost mass in my legs and arms while gaining weight at my midsection. My cheeks are sunken in as well.

2 questions.

Is it... Read more »

WASTING

Posted by DANIEL35, 1 Reply

hello, i'm looking for some insight. I'm caring for my brother that has AIDS, and at this point no one knows what to do. He is losing weight rapidly, he is down to 113 from 230. We have tried all nutritional supplements, drinks, the thing is he can... Read more »

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