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Clinical Aspects of Headache in HIV
Author(s) -
Sheikh Huma U.,
Cho Tracey A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/head.12357
Subject(s) - headaches , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , referral , intensive care medicine , migraine , antiretroviral therapy , pediatrics , viral load , immunology , psychiatry , family medicine
Background Headaches are commonly seen in those patients with human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) and are the most common form of pain reported among HIV patients. There have been relatively few studies attempting to determine the rates and phenotypes of the headaches that occur in patients with HIV . Discussion Patients with HIV are susceptible to a much broader array of secondary headache causes, sometimes with atypical manifestations due to a dampened inflammatory response. The investigation of a headache in the HIV patient should be thorough and focused on making sure that secondary and HIV ‐specific causes are either ruled out or treated if present. Conclusion An effective treatment plan should incorporate the use of appropriate pharmacological agents along with the integration of non‐pharmacological therapies, such as relaxation and lifestyle regulation. When treating for headaches in patients with HIV , it is important to keep in mind comorbidities and other medications, especially combination antiretroviral therapy. For those with complicated headache histories, referral to a specialized headache center may be appropriate.