Exposing The Threat of HIV Diarrhea: How Common is It?
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is known to have no symptoms to mild flu-like symptoms, of which Diarrhea is a common one.
Without treatment, it only grows severe and chronic over time. Therefore, not only HIV Diarrhea is common, but so is AIDS Diarrhea.
According to a report by NCBI, 50 percent of AIDS patients in developed nations suffer from Diarrhea.
It may seem like a harmless or temporary symptom, but it can increase the possibility of life-threatening conditions over time.
To prevent, treat, and recover from it, getting adequate knowledge about it becomes essential.
This article will present a complete guide to HIV Diarrhea, unveiling its causes, duration, and treatment, offering a better understanding of this issue.
Does HIV cause Diarrhea
HIV and Diarrhea are closely related.
Diarrhea is a common symptom that affects almost 100 percent of HIV-infected people in developing regions.
Not only is the virus or infection responsible for Diarrhea, but several other factors contribute to the problem.
That is why it is important to look for the cause and site of origin of Diarrhea to deal with it better.
Diarrhea has two sites of origin, which are the colon and the small bowel.
Colon-originated Diarrhea, or Colitis, is associated with pus, blood, and small-volume stools.
On the other hand, small bowel-related Diarrhea, or Enteritis, has large volume watery stools with dehydration and abdominal pain.
What causes HIV Diarrhea
The causes of HIV Diarrhea are extensive. Some of them are:
Bacteria
Enteric bacteria like Shigella flexneri, Salmonella enteritidis, and Campylobacter jejuni are the most common causes of HIV Diarrhea.
Traces of these bacteria are also found in the stools.
However, small bowel bacterial growth is not found in this case among AIDS or HIV-1-infected people.
Virus
Several viruses are known to cause GI infection and Diarrhea. These are significantly observed in HIV-infected patients.
Some of these are Astrovirus, Picobirnavirus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Small Round Structured Virus (SRSV), and Rotavirus.
CMV is the most common virus related to Diarrhea. According to a report, CMV contributed to 18 percent of 155 persistent Diarrhea cases.
Intestinal infections and responsible parasites
Certain parasites, besides viruses, can also cause intestinal infections, which are common in HIV patients.
Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are known as the two main infection-causing pathogens leading to Diarrhea in HIV patients.
Antiretrovirals
Antiretroviral Therapy is an efficient HIV treatment, but it can also cause Diarrhea.
Many antiretrovirals, especially Protease Inhibitors, are associated with high Diarrhea risk.
It has resulted in a lack of HIV treatment for people experiencing Diarrhea due to medications.
HIV enteropathy
Sometimes, non-infectious diarrhea occurs when no intestinal infectious pathogen is present.
Then, the HIV virus itself is considered the cause of Diarrhea.
It is characterized as chronic Diarrhea, which lasts longer than a month.
How long does HIV Diarrhea last
All the symptoms of HIV usually last for one to two weeks, but in some cases, it can last longer.
If untreated, HIV infection worsens along with its symptoms.
It is evident from the fact that once HIV progresses into AIDS, Diarrhea progresses to chronic Diarrhea lasting for over a week.
HIV and Diarrhea treatment
The cases of HIV Diarrhea caused by infectious agents are treated by Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
However, the cases of Diarrhea related to opportunistic infections have already been reduced.
Opportunistic infections, or OI, are the infections that target and are more severe in people with a weak immune system such as HIV-infected people. Fungi, bacteria, parasites, and viruses cause OI. Some examples are Tuberculosis, Salmonella infection, and Candidiasis.
Currently, non-infectious HIV Diarrhea poses a big challenge.
Moreover, some Diarrhea cases are due to ART itself.
So, three other classes of Antidiarrheal medications are used in non-infectious Diarrhea cases. They are:
- Absorbents: They bind fluids, bacterial toxins, and other compounds in the intestines to improve stool consistency. Bismuth subsalicylate, Attapulgite, and Kaolin/Pectin are a few examples
- Antimotility Agents: They work to improve fecal transit time, which eases water absorption and reduces electrolyte loss. Loperamide, Tincture of Opium, and Diphenoxylate/Atropine are a few such agents
- Antisecretory Agents: These inhibit the flow of electrolytes and water into the Gastrointestinal tract. Octreotide, Racecadotril, and Crofelemer are some examples of Antisecretory Agents
Conclusion
HIV Diarrhea is both a symptom of HIV and a consequence of its medications, opportunistic infections, and pathogens.
A wide range of agents like bacteria, viruses, and fungi contribute to HIV-related Diarrhea.
However, with time and the use of Antiretroviral Therapy, Diarrhea cases caused by infectious agents have reduced, but non-infectious Diarrhea instances are on the rise.
Sometimes, Antiretroviral Therapy is also associated with the risk of Diarrhea, which raises difficulty in HIV treatment.
In such cases, it is advised to consult a doctor for alternative treatment instead of stopping it.
Certain medications like Crofelemer, Opium Tincture, and Kaolin/Pectin can also prove beneficial for controlling Diarrhea.
With proper and timely care, treatment, and precautions, HIV Diarrhea and other symptoms can be controlled, and quality of life can be improved.
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