HIV and Fatigue
Topic Overview
Feeling tired is common if you have HIV, especially if you have had the virus for many years. Being severely tired can affect your ability to work, take care of yourself, and enjoy your life.
There can be many reasons why you are tired. It is important that you and your doctor try to find the cause. Many of the things that cause fatigue can be treated, and you may feel better.
Your fatigue may be caused by one or more of the following:
- Having the virus itself
- Taking HIV medicines
- Taking other medicines, including those for pain, Reference depression Opens New Window or Reference anxiety Opens New Window, neuropathy, Reference high blood pressure Opens New Window, and Reference high cholesterol Opens New Window
- Being anemic. Reference Anemia Opens New Window is a low level of red blood cells, which carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. As a result, your body's cells do not get enough oxygen, and you feel tired and weak.
- Having other infections that can happen with HIV. These are called Reference opportunistic infections Opens New Window. HIV weakens your body's defense system, so it has a harder time fighting off illness.
- Being depressed, anxious, or stressed
- Being in pain for a long time
- Having low levels of Reference testosterone Opens New Window or Reference thyroid Opens New Window hormones
- Not getting enough sleep
Finding the cause of fatigue
Your doctor may want to do some tests to find why you are so tired. You may have one or more of the following:
- Blood tests for anemia and hormone levels
- Tests to check your kidneys, liver, and Reference electrolyte Opens New Window levels
- Chest X-rays and Reference lung function tests Opens New Window
- Symptom check for depression
- Review of all medicines to see if they are causing your fatigue
- Discussion of your sleep and exercise habits
Help for fatigue
Based on your symptoms and test results, you and your doctor can make a plan for treatment. You may need a change in your medicines. If you are anemic or have low hormone levels, your doctor can treat those problems.
Exercise may boost your strength and give you more energy. If you haven't been active at all, talk with your doctor about starting a walking or weight-lifting program. Or find another activity that you like to do. Regular exercise relieves stress. It also keeps your heart, lungs, and muscles strong and helps you feel less tired. It also may help your immune system work better.
Make sure you are getting enough sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, talk with your doctor.
If you are still tired after making changes, you may want to "budget" your energy. Limit some activities to save up energy for those that are important to you.
Avoid illegal drugs, which may cause fatigue or keep you from sleeping.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference April 5, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine |
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
