Weight loss

Aside from diarrhea or weakness and a fever that lasts longer than 30 days, HIV weight loss, also known as HIV wasting syndrome, is an unintended loss of more than 10% of body weight. With more advanced HIV, this kind of weight loss frequently happens.

Loss of lean body mass (LBM) is common, although body fat loss can also occur with weight loss. Despite the fact that antiretroviral medications (ART) have reduced the prevalence of severe weight loss, projections from 2016 predicted that between 14 and 38 percent of HIV-positive individuals would experience it. For those with HIV, the risk of death does rise by 1% for every pound lost over the initial weight. Additionally, this risk increases by 11% for every 1% more weight loss since the previous visit.

The amount of energy used while at rest, or REE, can increase due to HIV. One of the main causes of HIV weight loss is low calorie intake, although REE can speed up weight loss.