Question

Describe HIV and why an HIV patient might be malnourished.

Answer 1

HIV ( Human Immunodeficiency virus) that attacks cells (which help body to fight against infection) , making a person more vulnerable to other infections. It spreads by unprotected sexual contact, contact with body fluids or through sharing injection of a person with HIV. If untreated it leads to disease called AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

The main factors responsible for malnutrition in HIV patient are (1) reduced appetite due to difficulty in ingesting food as a result of oral thrush caused by candida, common opportunistic infection associated with HIV. (2) Malabsorption by diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. Diarrhoea caused by associated infections with bacterias like salmonella, Avium Intracellular and CMV virus. Nausea, vomiting due to medications given to treat HIV. HIV affects body's natural defence mechanism leading to malnutrition.