Nutritional issues and HIV/AIDS: assessment and treatment strategies

Ongoing nutritional assessment is vital in the care of adults and children with HIV infection. Nutritional deficiency is a common manifestation of HIV disease and results from a variety of factors. Nurses caring for individuals with HIV infection in a variety of settings can be instrumental in identifying nutritional deficits, linking patients with appropriate medical/nutritional support services, and assuring that appropriate nutritional interventions are implemented. This article summarizes etiologies of HIV-associated nutritional deficiencies, reviews important components of nutrition assessment (including nutrition-related side effects of approved medications commonly used in HIV disease), provides an overview of common nutritional problems and interventions, and lists some available nutritional resources.