HIV-ASSOCIATED WASTING

Even if your HIV is undetectable and your CD4 counts are normal, you may still be experiencing HIV-associated wasting1,2

HIV-ASSOCIATED WASTING

Even if your HIV is undetectable and your CD4 counts are normal, you may still be experiencing HIV-associated wasting1,2

If you are HIV positive…

If you are HIV positive, taking HIV meds, feeling a loss of energy, and have lost weight and lean body mass (LBM), you may have a medical condition called HIV-associated wasting.3-13 

HIV-associated wasting affects many different people, including1,2,8,14:

  • People infected with HIV who have undetectable viral loads and normal CD4 counts
  • People who have had HIV for a long time
  • People on HIV meds who have or have had an acute infection
  • People who are newly diagnosed with HIV and on HIV medication

HIV-associated wasting is defined by three key symptoms3

Decreased energy
  • As you lose weight, you may find yourself getting tired more quickly than you used to
  • Even simple, everyday tasks can be difficult for you to do
  • You find that you don’t have enough energy to do the things you’ve always loved to do
Weight loss
  • You’re losing weight, but you aren’t trying to
  • As your weight changes, your appearance may change
  • Friends, family, and coworkers may notice and express concern
Loss of lean body mass
  • Lean body mass (LBM) includes your muscles, organs, blood, bone, and water
  • You may feel tired more quickly or notice that you have less physical energy

HIV-associated wasting shouldn’t be ignored3,4,7

Untreated HIV-associated wasting can have serious consequences for your health. The condition can lead to loss of muscle, impaired physical functioning, faster disease progression, and even a decreased chance of survival. If you are experiencing symptoms of HIV-associated wasting, don’t wait, talk to your doctor today about whether treatment with Serostim® might be right for you.

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Learn more about the potential causes of HIV-associated wasting

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  1. Mangili A, Murman DH, Zampini AM, Wanke CA. Nutrition and HIV infection: review of weight loss and wasting in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy from the nutrition in healthy living cohort. Clin Infec Dis. 2006;42(6):836-842.
  2. Wasserman P, Segal-Maurer S, Wehbeh W, Rubin DS. Wasting disease, chronic immune activation, and inflammation in the HIV-infected patient. Top Clin Nutr. 2011;26(1):14-28.
  3. Dudgeon WD, Phillips KD, Carson JA, Brewer JA, Durstine JL, Hand GA. Counteracting muscle wasting in HIV-infected individuals. HIV Med. 2006;7(5):299-310.
  4. Gelato M, McNurlan M, Freedland E. Role of recombinant human growth hormone and HIV-associated wasting and cachexia: pathophysiology and rationale for treatment. Clin Ther. 2007;29(11):2269-2288.
  5. Singh K. The role of physiotherapy in AIDS wasting syndrome. Int J Lat Res Sci Tech. 2012;1(1):85-88.
  6. Macallan DC, Noble C, Baldwin C, et al. Energy expenditure and wasting in human immunodeficiency virus infection. N Engl J Med. 1995;333(2):83-88.
  7. Grinspoon S, Mulligan K; for the Department of Health and Human Services Working Group on the Prevention and Treatment of Wasting and Weight Loss. Weight loss and wasting in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Clin Infec Dis. 2003;36(Suppl 2):S69-S78.
  8. Roubenoff R, Grinspoon S, Skolnik PR, et al. Role of cytokines and testosterone in regulating lean body mass and resting energy expenditure in HIV-infected men. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2002;283(1):E138-E145.
  9. Perry CM, Wagstaff AJ. Recombinant mammalian cell-derived somatropin. A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential in the management of wasting associated with HIV infection. Biodrugs. 1997;8(5):394-414.
  10. Grace JM, Semple SJ, Combrink S. Exercise therapy for human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS patients: guidelines for clinical exercise therapists. J Exer Sci Fit. 2015;13(1):49-56.
  11. Crotty B, Mcdonald J, Mijch AM, Smallwood RA. Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy feeding in AIDS. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1998;13:371-375.
  12. Keithley JK, Dulay AMS, Swanson B, Zeller JM. HIV infection and obesity: a review of the evidence. JANAC. 2009;20(4):260-274.
  13. Wilson D, Hurtado RM, Digumarthy S. Case 18-2009: a 24-year-old woman with AIDS and tuberculosis with progressive cough, dyspnea, and wasting. N Engl J Med. 2009;360:2456-2464.
  14. Ashby J, Goldmeier D, Sadeghi-Nejad H. Hypogonadism in human immunodeficiency virus-positive men. Korean J Urol. 2014;55:9-16.