Women & HIV/AIDS

HIV Wasting Syndrome

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HIV Wasting Syndrome is a weight loss of at least 10 percent with more than 30 days of either diarrhea or weakness and fever. Severe loss of weight and muscle, or lean body mass, leads to muscle weakness and organ failure. Wasting is caused by many things:

• Not wanting to eat (poor appetite)
• Side effects from drugs, like a change in your sense of taste
• No energy to shop and prepare food
• Sore mouth
• Problems swallowing
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Problems absorbing nutrients
• Feeling full from only a small amount of food because your stomach doesn't empty right
• Depression

Here are some tips to help you keep weight on and treat weight loss:

• Try to prevent or treat OIs that interfere with eating.
• Talk to your doctor about medicines to increase your appetite and to treat nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Eat healthy foods. To find out what foods are good for you, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist. There are nutritionists who specialize in HIV/AIDS.
• Ask your doctor about keeping fit and progressive resistance training, which involves lifting small weights to build muscle.

Additional Resources:

Publications

1. Nutrition and Weight Maintenance (Copyright © Project Inform) — This fact sheet explains how HIV patients can prevent wasting syndrome by eating properly and maintaining their weight. It includes information on nutritional supplement, appetite stimulants, and safe food preparation.

   http://www.projectinform.org/info/nutrition/index.shtml

2. Wasting Syndrome (Copyright © AIDSInfoNet) — This publication explains what AIDS wasting is, what causes it, and how it is treated. This publication also links to information on exercise for people HIV/AIDS, which can help build lean body mass.

   http://aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/519?lang=eng

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 4, 2009.