Double trouble: Concomitant unmasking and paradoxical immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a patient with newly diagnosed HIV

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a complication encountered in patients with HIV due to immune function recovery following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. IRIS can be divided into two forms: paradoxical (recurrence of clinical signs of a previously treated opportunistic infection) and unmasking (uncovering of a previously undiagnosed and asymptomatic infection). We present the rare case of a 48-year-old man diagnosed with AIDS after presenting with cryptococcal meningitis who, shortly after initiation of ART, developed both unmasking IRIS due to (MAC), and subsequently paradoxical IRIS to his prior cryptococcal meningitis infection. To our knowledge, cases in the medical literature describing double IRIS remain scarce

Perceptions and practices of self-medication among medical students in coastal South India.

Self-medication is a common practice worldwide and the irrational use of drugs is a cause of concern. This study assessed the prevalence of self-medication among the medical students in South India. The data was analysed using SPSS version 11.5. A total of 440 students were included in the study. The prevalence of self-medication was 78.6%. A larger number of females were self-medicating (81.2%) than males (75.3%). The majority of the students self-medicated because of the illness being too trivial for consultation (70.5%). Antipyretics were most commonly self-medicated by the participants (74.8%). Only 47% of the participants opined that self-medication was a part of self-care and it needs to be encouraged. 39.3% of the participants perceived that the supply of medicine without prescription by the pharmacist can prevent the growing trend of self-medication. Easy availability and accessibility to health care facilities remains the cornerstone for reducing the practice of self-medication

Characteristics of the study population (N = 440).

<p>Characteristics of the study population (N = 440).</p

Indications for self-medication (N = 346).

<p>Indications for self-medication (N = 346).</p

Attitude of the students towards self-medication (N = 440).

<p>Attitude of the students towards self-medication (N = 440).</p