tself, which destroys the CD4+ T cell and weakens the immune system (HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service, 2002).
The management of symptoms in an HIV/AIDS patient is considered a critical component of care. The underestimation of symptom frequency and intensity is common. Patients must be assessed for physical symptoms due to disease and medications, and psychosocial symptoms (depression, poor quality of life). Symptoms found include: numbness, fear, GI upset, bruising/bleeding, fatigue, headache, sore throat, rectal itch, fever, body changes, GYN problems, confusion, depression, memory loss, muscle aches, weakness, painful joints, and sweats (Holzemer, Hudson, Kirksey, Hamilton, & Bakken, 2001). Symptoms to watch for include: breathing problems, fever for over two days, weight loss, mouth problems (thrush, sores, taste changes, dryness, loose teeth, difficulty swallowing), poor vision or floaters, diarrhea, and skin rashes or itching (HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service, 2002).
When seeking diagnosis for HIV/AIDS, a doctor visit will result in questions asked, a blood test, a tuberculosis skin test, and other tests. Immunization shots may be given at this time. The blood drawn will be used for many tests including the CD4 cell count and viral load testing (to measure HIV amounts in the blood). Individuals live with HIV for many years. Many drugs are used as antiretroviral medicines. If the HIV worsens and the CD4 cell count drops below 200, there is a risk for other infections. Low CD4 count may result in PCP or other opportunistic infections (mycobacterium avium complex, cytomegalovirus, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis) (CDC, 2002).
The World Health Organization and the United Nations reported in 1998 that the global AIDS epidemic included 30.6 million worldwide, with 41% being women, and 1.1 million being children. Approximately 650,000 to 900,000 people in the U.S. are currently infected...