8. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is easily the most commonly observed of all gastrointestinal symptoms in patients suffering from HIV infection.
Diarrhea can appear as a consequence of infection by an opportunistic infectious agent, as well as a side effect of antiretroviral medication.
In healthy individuals, diarrhea may last a few days, but in patients with advanced HIV infection, it is common to see chronic cases of diarrhea which persists for several weeks or months.
In some cases, diarrhea can be so severe that the patient easily eliminates several gallons of fluid per day. Diarrhea may be accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and fever.
It is important to note that the most common infectious organisms responsible for diarrhea in patients with HIV are Cytomegalovirus, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia. These microorganisms can infect and cause diarrhea in healthy individuals as well, but in the case of HIV patients, the resulting diarrhea is almost invariably of a chronic nature.
