Education, research, and new treatments have led to longer life expectancies for those with HIV, more ways to prevent infections, and more approaches to delaying disease progression. Taking charge of your health is vitally important.

More and more, as AIDS patients live longer with the new anti-HIV drugs, fatigue is becoming a key quality-of-life issue. Treating the anemia that may be behind it is very important.

Find out more by following these links to sections on antiretroviral therapy, drugs and their side effects, and blood tests and what they mean.

Without iron, your body cannot make hemoglobin. The main causes of iron deficiency anemia are: iron-poor diet, blood loss, inability to absorb iron, and increased requirements for iron during certain stages of life (infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy).

Kidney Disease, and Anemia: What’s the Connection?

In this section, you will learn how kidney disease can cause anemia. One of the most debilitating side effects of anemia is fatigue, or excessive tiredness. If you've been feeling especially tired since you developed kidney problems, you might have anemia.

In addition to the educational areas on this site, you'll also find links to support and help organizations, plus patient tools like a Brief Fatigue Inventory to assess your level of fatigue, and a Monthly Energy Calendar.