Just Palliative Care: Responding Responsibly to the Suffering of the Poor  Eric L. Krakauer, MD, PhD  Journal of Pain and Symptom Management  Volume 36, Issue 5, Pages 505-512 (November 2008) DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2007.11.015 Copyright © 2008 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee Terms and Conditions

Fig. 1 Integrated palliative care and disease-modifying therapy for AIDS and tuberculosis. (a) This cachetic homeless man was sent to an AIDS palliative care center in Ho Chi Minh City for terminal care. He had been diagnosed with advanced AIDS and hepatitis C cirrhosis that was presumed to be the cause of his painful tense ascites. He had symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis, but his sputum revealed no acid-fast bacilli, and thus, he had not been treated. No studies had been performed on his ascitic fluid. At the palliative care center, his painful ascites were relieved with oral morphine and large volume paracentesis. Standard treatment for tuberculosis was initiated. Within two months, the patient's ascites and fevers resolved and antiretroviral therapy was initiated. (b) Within several months, he had regained his previous weight and strength and had begun working at the center. He has since then reconciled with his family (permission to print photos granted by patient). Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2008 36, 505-512DOI: (10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2007.11.015) Copyright © 2008 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee Terms and Conditions