The experience of physical symptoms among women living with HIV

As the number of women living with HIV and AIDS has increased, so has survival time for individuals living with this chronic condition. Symptom existence, intensity, and bothersomeness greatly affect quality of life in women living with HIV and AIDS. Symptoms experienced by women living with HIV include symptoms related to HIV infection itself, those related to opportunistic infections, and those related to medications and treatments. Symptoms experienced by women include those common to both genders and those specific to females. The presence and intensity of symptoms varies with progression of the disease and with deteriorating status of HIV disease indicators. Although research is limited on this topic, some research on the general symptom experience of women and on symptoms specific to or common among women has been done. Extended life expectancy among women with HIV increases the importance of nursing care focused on symptom assessment and symptom management. This article reviews research on symptoms commonly experienced by women living with HIV and presents implications for the care of women experiencing distressing symptoms.