Women and HIV. Symptoms and quality of life in women.

Symptoms occur across the trajectory of HIV disease and can diminish the quality of life of women living with the virus. Untreated symptoms may also influence medication adherence and lead to complications of HIV and coexisting illnesses. Symptom management can address these concerns. A variety of self-care approaches should be incorporated into any plan of treatment, which ideally should be based on a partnership between the woman with HIV and her health-care providers. This article will address a range of issues concerning symptoms in women with HIV both in the U.S. and worldwide.