Symptomatic management of HIV associated gastrointestinal disease

This chapter describes the differential diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with HIV infection. There is no clear point when management moves from intervention to palliation, and as with other manifestations of HIV disease, clinical decisions have to be guided by the wishes of the patient. In general, early diagnosis and treatment of HIV associated opportunistic infection are likely to keep patients symptom free, but when specific therapy is unavailable, unsuccessful or unwanted, then there is a clear indication to strive for symptom control using conventional palliative care.