Information and facts on AIDS or HIV

 

AIDS is an immune system disease where the body's ability to defend itself is greatly weakened. When human immunodeficiency virus invades the immune cells called T lymphocytes and multiplies, it causes a breakdown in the body's immune system, eventually leading to massive infection and/or cancer and, eventually death. Most deaths among people with AIDS are not caused by AIDS itself, but by one of the many infections or cancers to which the syndrome makes the body vulnerable. The origin of HIV is unknown. The earliest documented case of AIDS occurred in 1981, but researchers admit that unidentified cases may have existed in the 1970s. There are investigators who have speculated if HIV maybe a genetically engineered virus that got out of control. HIV is a retrovirus that is spread primarily through blood-to-blood  or sexual contact, like the sharing of needles by drug users. It may also be spread by blood transfusion or the use of blood products such as clotting factors, if the blood used for these purposes is infected. Hemophiliacs, who need a special coagulation factor from blood concentrates, have been at high risk to HIV.

In the USA, as well as in many other countries, blood is screened for the presence of antibodies to HIV, a sign of HIV infection and is discarded if found to contain them. However, it is possible, that infected blood can pass through screening processes. HIV antibodies may not show up in the blood for as much as 3 to 6 months after a person is infected, so a presence in blood taken from people who contracted the virus recently may not be detectable. Blood products are now subjected to heat to destroy the virus, but some AIDS advocates have stated their concerns that this process may not be 100% effective. Dentists and other medical personnel, who come into close contact with bodily fluids of infected persons may also become infected. This is why paramedics, emergency medical technicians, dentists and dental hygienists, hospital, clinic, emergency room personnel, and even police officers now use rubber gloves to prevent contact with blood products or saliva. The practice of wearing gloves also protects patients. Babies of mothers with HIV can contract the virus during pregnancy or birth, or through breastfeeding, although this is not inevitable. Statistics show that most such babies do not contract the virus themselves. In the 1993 Surgeon General's report on HIV and AIDS, about 25% of these babies do become infected, either before or during birth. Scientists do not know what factors influence whether or not a child will become infected but are working hard to find answers. It is known that the use of drug therapy during pregnancy plus bottle-feeding after birth may dramatically decrease the chances of mother to baby transmission of the disease. Many people who are infected with HIV are not even aware that they have it. There are some people who experience a mild flu like illness within 2 to 4 weeks of exposure,  the virus generally takes at least 2 to 5 years before any symptoms of HIV infection appear. In most cases, the first symptoms are nonspecific and variable. They include diarrhea, fever, fatigue, inflamed gums, loss of appetite and weight, mouth sores, night sweats, skin disorders, swollen lymph nodes, and an enlarged liver and/or spleen. If such symptoms become chronic, an individual may be said to have AIDS-related complex (ARC). In other cases, the first sign of HIV is the development of one or more of the opportunistic infections or cancers associated with AIDS. One of the most common is a tongue that is coated with white bumps. This is oral thrush, or candidiasis. Candidiasis indicates a compromised immune system. Intestinal parasites are another common problem. Other common, AIDS related illnesses include: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, which is caused by a parasite found in about 60% of people with AIDS; an otherwise rare skin cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma; Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus,  Mycobacterium aviumintracellulare, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis; and tuberculosis.

The medical criteria for a diagnosis of full-blown AIDS are quite specific, requiring the presence of one or more opportunistic infections or cancers known to be associated with HIV infection. Testing HIV positive does not mean that the person has AIDS. It does mean that the person has been exposed to HIV, as indicated by the presence in the blood of antibodies to the virus. A confirmed positive HIV test result is often the earliest indication that the person may eventually develop AIDS. Some authorities believe that, although strongly linked to HIV, AIDS must be considered a disease caused by many factors. The person with AIDS needs higher amounts of all nutrients than normal because malabsorption is a common problem. Those at risk of becoming infected with HIV or of developing AIDS can also be helped through the following program. 

Other Changes To Make

• drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or filtered water a day

• eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)

• nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good

• juice is good (make your own with a juice machine)

• do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods

• carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack

• a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)

• do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks

• do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...

• use stress relief like going for walks in the park (or the 10/90 rule - see Stress)

• brown rice is good to eat

• avoid red meat and animal fats

• reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others

• fast a few days a month

• get at least 8 hours of sleep 

• exercise light to moderate amounts

• avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet

• do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke

• do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal

• do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry

• do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any physical ailments.
In all matters related to your health please contact a qualified, licensed Medical Consultant or Doctor.