Living with HIV-Related Diarrhea

is noninfectious and may be caused by long-term damage to your gut. This is called HIV enteropathy.4

HIV affects your gut health, making you
more vulnerable to diarrhea4

Healthy GI Tract


In a healthy gut, microvilli absorb nutrients from
food and normalize water flow.5

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HIV Enteropathy


With HIV enteropathy, damage to the microvilli may result in poor nutrient and medication absorption and water flow imbalance.4,6

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HIV-related diarrhea can impact your life


If left undiagnosed and untreated, chronic diarrhea can not only interfere with your daily routine, but can have additional negative impact.

 

It can make it more challenging to stay on prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other medications7

 

It can lead to complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, and weight loss4,8

 

TAKE CONTROL
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CHAT with your healthcare provider about your diarrhea and how
treatment may improve your daily routine.
TAKE QUIZ

You are not alone

Diarrhea is common among people living with HIV. Hear from others about their daily struggles with ongoing diarrhea.
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Nearly half of the people living with HIV in the US are 50 years of age or older


Advances in HIV treatments are helping people with HIV live longer. Many older adults living with HIV and experiencing diarrhea might also be living with other inflammatory diseases associated with normal aging. This could mask the symptoms and make diagnosing HIV-related diarrhea difficult.9

 

Aging with ongoing HIV-related diarrhea can cause significant emotional distress10

• Fear of public humiliation
• Reduced participation in social gatherings
• Increased social isolation and feelings of loneliness
• Lower quality of life and depression

Asking the right questions can put you on the path to relief.

TAKE ACTION

A simple CHAT can make a world of difference


Our online assessment can help you better understand HIV-related diarrhea. Talking with your provider about your symptoms can help alleviate your worries and help you learn how to take back control.

 

TAKE QUIZ

CHECK IN

with your provider about your gut health

ASK

your provider about your diarrhea symptoms

TREAT

your diarrhea symptoms as directed by your provider

GI=gastrointestinal.


References: 1. Ochoa B, Surawicz CM. Diarrheal Diseases – Acute and Chronic. American College of Gastroenterology. Updated December 2012. Accessed February 8, 2024. https://gi.org/topics/diarrhea-acute-and-chronic/ 2. Drug-induced diarrhea. MedlinePlus. Updated October 26, 2021. Accessed February 8, 2024. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000293.htm 3. Morales-Brown P. What’s the link between HIV and diarrhea? Updated July 28, 2023. Accessed February 8, 2024. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316312 4. Dikman AE, Schonfeld E, Srisarajivakul NC, Poles MA. Human immunodeficiency virus-associated diarrhea: still an issue in the era of antiretroviral therapy. Dig Dis Sci. 2015;60(8):2236-2245. doi:10.1007/s10620-015-3615-y 5. Microvillus. Britannica. Updated June 5, 2023. Accessed February 8, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/science/microvillus 6. 7.0 Drug absorption. British HIV Association. Accessed March 26, 2024. https://www.bhiva.org/70Drugabsorption 7. MacArthur RD, DuPont HL. Etiology and pharmacologic management of noninfectious diarrhea in HIV-infected individuals in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;55(6):860-867. doi:10.1093/cid/cis544 8. Feasey NA, Healey P, Gordon MA. Review article: the aetiology, investigation and management of diarrhea in the HIV-positive patient. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011;34(6):587-603. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04781.x 9. Aging with HIV. HIV.gov. Updated September 14, 2023. Accessed February 15, 2024. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/living-well-with-hiv/taking-care-of-yourself/aging-with-hiv/ 10. Siegel K, Schrimshaw EW, Brown- Bradley CJ, Lekas HM. Sources of emotional distress associated with diarrhea among late middle-age and older HIV-infected adults. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2010;40(3):353-369. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2010.01.018