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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
05:46
Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors
Published on: April 9, 2014
Emergencies in HIV medicine
1National AIDS Control Organisation, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi.
Journal of the Indian Medical Association
|November 6, 2009
Summary
Antiretroviral therapy improves quality of life for HIV patients. However, emergencies can arise from opportunistic infections or treatment side effects, requiring prompt medical attention.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly improved the quality of life for individuals with HIV.
- HIV infection weakens the immune system, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections and malignancies.
- Emergencies in HIV-infected individuals stem from either opportunistic infections or adverse effects of ART.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and categorize the spectrum of emergencies encountered in HIV-infected individuals.
- To highlight the distinct causes and manifestations of HIV-related emergencies.
- To emphasize the need for timely intervention in managing these critical conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of opportunistic infections and ART-related adverse events in HIV.
- Categorization of emergencies based on etiology (opportunistic infections vs. ART).
- Identification of common and critical emergency presentations.
Main Results:
- Emergencies due to opportunistic infections include pulmonary, central nervous system, diarrheal, and ocular conditions.
- Emergencies related to ART encompass lactic acidosis, hepatic necrosis, bone marrow suppression, and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-induced rashes.
- Prompt recognition and management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Conclusions:
- HIV-infected individuals face a dual risk of emergencies from infections and ART.
- Understanding these distinct emergency categories is vital for effective clinical management.
- Vigilance for both infectious complications and treatment toxicities is essential in HIV care.
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