More Health Concerns For Aids Patients

There are major complications for patients diagnosed with AIDS. The parasitic infections, viral infections, and dangers of fungal infections are not the only dangers for patients with AIDS. The immune system is so compromised; the body is unable to fight off even the slightest infection. Infections that healthy people would be able to fight off with no problem can cause death in an AIDS patient.

One of the major health risks that an AIDS patient faces is cancer. Cancer survival rates are improving each year, but AIDS patients are much more at risk of dying of this disease. Kaposi’s sarcoma is a cancer that healthy people do not normally get this cancer. It is common to people who have tested positive for HIV. This disease shows itself as pink, red, or purple sores or lesions on the shin and mouth. Patients who already have dark skin, the lesions will appear black or dark brown. Kaposi’s sarcoma also will affect internal organs including the lungs and digestive system. Kaposi’s sarcoma is treated with various chemotherapy drugs and researchers are looking for new ways to give these drugs. Scientists have discovered the use of antiretrovirals can reduce the amount of Kaposi’s cancer in HIV and AIDS patients. It also has been proven to reduce the lesions in people who have already been diagnosed with this cancer.

NonHodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that originates in the white blood cells, is another common form of cancer that affects HIV and AIDS patients. Lymphocytes, which act as the director of the immune system to fight infections, are concentrated in bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, and the digestive tract. NonHodgkin’s lymphoma usually starts in the lymph nodes but can originate in other areas of the body. One of the first sign of this cancer is a noticeable swelling in the lymph nodes found in the neck, armpit, or groin.

Other serious complications for AIDS patients are Wasting Syndrome and other neurological complications. Scientists and researchers agree that Wasting Syndrome is a complication of AIDS. Aggressive treatment have considerably reduced the cases of Wasting Syndrome among AIDS patients, it can still affect many people with AIDS. Wasting Syndrome is classified as losing at least ten percent of their body weight. This is accompanied with chronic diarrhea, fever, and weakness.

Neurological complications can cause confusion, forgetfulness, and abrupt changes in their behavior, depression, and trouble walking. Dementia complex is one of the more common diseases that afflict AIDS patients. Dementia complex causes the person’s behavior to change and they have a decreased mental capacity. It can be treated with antiretroviral medications but it must be caught in the early stages.

There are so many complications that patients with AIDS will face. They can be vulnerable to many diseases that a healthy person could shake off easily. Because their white cells are being destroyed, they are unable to fight even the smallest infection and could be potentially life threatening.

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