_________________ Chapter 35Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome 13
Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing, 6th ed.
Viral Infections (cont.)
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
• Caused by the Jamestown Canyon virus
• Develops in 2% to 4% of AIDS patients
• Progressive degeneration of white matter of the brain
TALKING POINTS:
• What medication may be used for treatment of PML?
• Maintaining low viral loads through antiretroviral therapy seems to be the best strategy for
preventing PML.
Bacterial Infections
• Bacillary angiomatosis (BA)
• Causes skin lesions; may affect any organ
• Transmitted by cats and their fleas
Bacterial Infections (cont.)
• Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)
• Found everywhere, including most food, animal, and soil sources
• May affect any organ of the body
• Causes fever, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, abdominal pain, and diarrhea
• Not contagious
Bacterial Infections (cont.)
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB)
• HIV patients much more likely than a healthy person to become infected with TB if
exposed, especially when CD4 counts drop below 200 cells/mm³
Kaposi Sarcoma (KS)
• Common neoplasm that develops with AIDS
• Affects the skin first, appearing as a macular painless, nonpruritic lesion
• Color varies: pink, red, purple, and brown
TALKING POINTS:
• What is thought to cause KS?
• When KS is confined to the skin, there are no symptoms.
• When KS affects the GI system, bleeding may result causing anemia.
• When KS affects the respiratory system, hypoxia may occur.