[Symptoms in suspected and early stages of HIV infections in 2 Amsterdam family practices].

The symptoms and courses of (suspected) HIV infections before referral were investigated in a retrospective patient chart survey in two general practices with a total of 8500 patients. The patients comprised 47 men and three women. In 38 men and one woman, symptoms suggestive of HIV infection were observed while the results of serotesting were unknown. Six men (in addition) could be assigned to the group of patients with HIV infection and with symptoms without specialist treatment; five men and two women had an asymptomatic HIV infection. The observation periods ranged from one to 70 months with averages of 16.5, 16 and 15 months, respectively. Half the symptoms observed involved the skin or mucous membranes; eight patients had oral hairy leukoplakia. Other symptoms included constitutional symptoms, symptoms due to airway disorders and lymphadenopathy, and neurological signs of loss of function. In 13 of the 14 patients who were referred, the HIV infection could be confirmed or demonstrated. Three patients died. Family doctors' coping with patients (presumably) infected with HIV is characterized by uncertainty and varying symptoms over relatively long periods.