HIV/AIDS in our Midst and Minds

Introduction: HIV prevalence in Pakistan is 0.1%. HIV prevalence is more among the most risk populations like sex workers and intravenous drug abusers. Presentation of HIV/AIDS is varied. We did retrospective analysis of 10 different cases of HIV with different presentations during study period of 12 months. Methods: A retrospective study was performed involving HIV positive patients from February 2013 to February 2014. Data regarding patient demographics, HIV status, clinical presentation, pathology tests, treatment, and outcome were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Ten patients were identified from records of our hospital. Six patients had history of repeated episodes of diarrhea. But only one was diagnosed as case of Cryptosporidosis. Two cases were mislabeled as cases of abdominal tuberculosis. Three cases presented with one sided weakness of body and found ring enhancing lesion on CT brain. Two cases were initially treated as cases of tuberculoma brain. Only one was diagnosed as case of cerebral Toxoplasmosis. One patient presented as case of disseminated Tuberculosis. One patient presented as case of pneumonitis and was diagnosed having Pneumocystis pneumonia. One patient was diagnosed on autopsy as case of Pneumocystis pneumonia. Conclusion: AIDS remains a diagnosis of exclusion. The disease is never thought of in the initial stages. With established spread within our social set up symptoms need to be recognized much earlier, not only to prevent the spread, but also to treat the individuals. Awareness of the primary physician remains a must.