Diagnosis Because HIV infection produces such a wide

Diagnosis

Because HIV infection produces such a wide range of symptoms, the CDC has drawn up a list of 34 conditions regarded as defining AIDS. The physician will use the CDC list to decide whether the patient falls into one of these three groups:

• definitive diagnoses with or without laboratory evidence of HIV infection
• definitive diagnoses with laboratory evidence of HIV infection
• presumptive diagnoses with laboratory evidence of HIV infection

Physical findings

Almost all the symptoms of AIDS can occur with other diseases. The general physical examination may range from normal findings to symptoms that are closely associated with AIDS. These symptoms are hairy leukoplakia of the tongue and Kaposi's sarcoma. When the doctor examines the patient, he or she will look for the overall pattern of symptoms rather than any one finding.