PATIENTS WITH HIV INFECTION AND FEVER: A DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH

Abstract

Fever is a common sign among patients with HIV infection and frequently leads to a medical consultation. It is generally caused by infections. The type of infection depends on the stage of the disease. Opportunistic infections occur only in the presence of severe immunodeficiency. A systematic approach will identify most causes of fever. Since the incidence of opportunistic infections has dramatically decreased with the use of highly active antiretroviral treatments, other causes of fever including immune restoration disease, neoplasm and drug-fever should be considered.

Keywords:

• HIV infection
• fever
• opportunistic infection
• drug-fever
• immune restoration disease
• CD4+ lymphocyte count.