Anemia

When a person doesn’t have enough red blood cells, he or she has anemia. Red blood cells in the blood carry oxygen to the body. With fewer red blood cells, it takes more work for the body to get enough oxygen. HIV infection and the drugs used to treat it can cause anemia.

Symptoms

Signs of anemia include: 

• Feeling weak 
• Headaches 
• Irritability or moodiness 
• Less (or no) interest in sex
• Lightheadedness or dizziness 
• Confusion
• Pale skin 
• Ringing ears 
• Shortness of breath when active
• Tiring faster

With less oxygen in the blood, the heart beats faster to make up for it. Over time, this can damage the heart and other organs of the body.

Sometimes anemia causes pica. Pica is the habit of eating odd things such as ice, clay, cardboard, foods that crunch or raw starch.

Causes and Risk Factors

Anemia can be caused by blood loss or conditions that either kill red blood cells or interfere with the body’s ability to make them. Having too little iron or certain B vitamins can also cause anemia. Infections – both HIV and those that take advantage of a weakened immune system – can lower the number of red blood cells. The more affected a person is by AIDS, the more likely he or she is to have anemia.

Anti-HIV drugs can also lead to anemia. This is especially so for AZT.

Diagnosis

It is important to know what is causing the anemia. A doctor will take note of the symptoms and the patient’s medical history. He or she will order tests that count how many red blood cells are in the blood.

Treatment

Managing anemia helps a person with HIV live longer and better. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can prevent or improve anemia in some HIV patients. Sometimes, transfusions are needed. This increases the red blood cells in the body.