Rheumatoid Conditions

Any person infected with HIV in any age group can be affected with rheumatic diseases. The most often affected age group is that of people between twenty & 40 years of age.

HIV/AIDS was first detected amongst the human population of the earth about thirty years ago. Since then it's infected millions of people worldwide & affected their lives dramatically. HIV impacts the immune method of the infected individual & makes them more vulnerable to contracting other illnesses as the immune method is unable to combating the various pathogens that spread these diseases. The virus also takes a toll on the remainder of the body as well as a great plenty of of those individuals infected with HIV find that they have lots of issues of musculoskeletal origin in addition to the suppressed immune method & its complications. In fact, it is not unknown for the individual infected with HIV to notice these musculoskeletal complications prior to discovering that they are infected with HIV.

Studies indicate that some HIV medications can complicate matters by causing joint pain & muscle weakness. These can present as inflammatory myopathy, osteonecrosis, osteoporosis & lipodystrophy. They may even induce autoimmune diseases in which the body's immune method assaults healthy tissue.


The rheumatic disease can be caused by the decreased immune function allowing the infection of the joints and muscles by bacteria or virus.

The most common rheumatic signs associated with a concurrent HIV infection are usually swelling of the joints as well as pain in the joints and muscle tissue. It is feasible for individuals with HIV to contract psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, polymyositis (which is an inflammation of the muscles), fibromyalgia, vasculitis (which is an inflammation of the blood vessels) and an infection of the joints, muscles and bones.

It's been found that HIV treatment will cause the cessation of the HIV induced rheumatic disease in most people. However, it is important to note that not all rheumatic diseases in HIV positive individuals are caused by the HIV itself. It could be caused by some other deficienc

Since it is not unusual for the rheumatic disease to present with clear signs before the HIV infection is detected, medical practitioners will check for HIV if the patient is in a high risk group or engages in the relevant risk taking behaviour. A positive HIV check will act as confirmation of HIV-associated rheumatic disease.

It's important that any who may have been exposed to HIV monitor themselves closely & document any unusual signs to their medical practitioner. The earlier HIV is detected the more effective the antiretroviral treatment has been found to be. In case you do suffer from HIV-associated rheumatic conditions it is important that you document this to your medical practitioner so that either your medication can be altered if that is a feasible cause of your issues or additional treatment can be given to address the issue & increase your comfort levels. The earlier you get the right treatment the better off you will be.