At some point, diarrhea affects at least 50% of all patients with HIV/AIDS

Diarrhea
At some point, diarrhea affects at least 50% of all patients with HIV/AIDS. It remains an important and common problem, although not nearly as great a problem as it was before the advent of antiretroviral therapy in the mid-1990s. Antiretroviral drugs prevent most of the infections and illnesses that cause diarrhea. Before antiretrovirals, diarrhea affected nearly all HIV/AIDS patients at some point and was very difficult to treat.

Diarrhea can be either acute (severe and short term) or chronic (constant and long term). Patients with severely suppressed immune systems (i.e., those who have greater viral loads and lower CD4+ counts) tend to experience diarrhea more frequently and for longer periods of time.

HIV patients who have diarrhea for more than 2 days should see a physician or other health care provider. If left untreated, diarrhea can lead to vitamin and mineral loss, weight loss, and wasting. Patients with HIV/AIDS who experience diarrhea should have their weight and body composition (e.g., electrolyte balance) monitored on a regular basis to avoid dehydration and death.

Some of the more common causes of diarrhea in patients with HIV/AIDS include the following:

• Antiretroviral drugs (especially protease inhibitors)—Diarrhea caused by protease inhibitors is usually treatable. Rarely, patients must discontinue taking the drug to stop the diarrhea.
• Antibiotics—used to treat HIV-related infections and illnesses
• Digestive tract infections—Many foods and sources of drinking water contain parasitic microorganisms that don't affect people with healthy immune systems. In people with HIV/AIDS, infection with these parasites can lead to sickness and sometimes death.
• Lactose intolerance—Dairy product(s) can lead to diarrhea, if a person is lactose intolerant.