Task Force on Nutrition Support in AIDS. Guidelines for nutrition support in AIDS

Abstract

The nutritional status of people with AIDS is challenged throughout the progression of the illness by the manifestation of symptoms such as malabsorption, diarrhea, candidiasis, and fever. As yet, there is no widely accepted method for nutritional management of AIDS. Therefore, a Task Force on Nutrition Support in AIDS was formed to develop practical recommendations for those involved in the management of this patient population. The "Guidelines for Nutrition Support in AIDS" are aimed at improving nutritional status, alleviating symptoms, and enhancing quality of life at each stage of the disease. The Task Force concluded that optimizing the nutritional status of people with AIDs, through aggressive nutritional therapy, is essential in overall medical management; nutrition intervention and education is indicated as early in the disease progression as HIV diagnosis; thorough nutritional assessment and regular monitoring is advocated; and enteral feedings should be considered the first line of nutrition support therapy.