What Is AIDS Wasting Syndrome?
AIDS wasting syndrome describes involuntary weight loss suffered by patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as the disease progresses. Wasting may be caused by metabolic abnormalities, poor nutrition, elimination of nutrients through vomiting or diarrhea, or other infections. AIDS wasting syndrome is characterized by the loss of at least 10% of body mass after infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Patients may die of wasting even when their symptoms are otherwise controlled by medications.
