Did you know…?

Overview:

AIDS is a chronic, life-threatening condition caused by the human HIV. By damaging or destroying the cells of your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to effectively fight off viruses, Bacteria and fungi that cause disease. This makes you more susceptible to certain types of cancers and to opportunistic infections your body would normally resist, such as pneumonia and meningitis. The virus and the infection itself are known as HIV. The term acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is used to mean the later stages of an HIV infection.

AIDS has become a global epidemic. Worldwide, an estimated 38.6 million people are living with HIV, nearly half of them women and girls between the ages of 15 and 24. And though the spread of the virus has slowed in some countries, it has escalated or remained steady in others. In 2005, more than 4 million people were newly infected with HIV; 25 million have died of AIDS since the epidemic began.
Despite improved treatments and better access to care for people in the hardest-hit parts of the world, most experts agree that the pandemic is still in the early stages. With a vaccine probably decades away, the best hope for stemming the spread of HIV now lies in prevention, treatment and education.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of HIV and AIDS vary, depending on the phase of infection. When first infected with HIV, you may have no symptoms at all, although it's more common to develop a brief Flu-like illness two to six weeks after becoming infected. But because the signs and symptoms of an initial infection — which may include Fever, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph glands and rash — are similar to those of other diseases, you might not realize you've been infected with HIV.
Even if you don't have symptoms, you're still able to transmit the virus to others. Once the virus enters your body, your own immune system also comes under attack. The virus multiplies in your lymph nodes and slowly begins to destroy your helper T cells (CD4 lymphocytes) — the white blood cells that coordinate your entire immune system.
You may remain symptom-free for eight or nine years or more. But as the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, you may develop mild infections or chronic
symptoms such as:

• Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection
• Diarrhea
• Weight Loss
• Fever
• Cough and shortness of breath

During the last phase of HIV — which occurs approximately 10 or more years after the initial infection — more serious symptoms may begin to appear, and the infection may then meet the official definition of AIDS. In 1993, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) redefined AIDS to mean the presence of HIV infection as shown by a positive
HIV-antibody test plus at least one of the following:

• The development of an opportunistic infection — an infection that occurs when your immune system is impaired — such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)
• A CD4 lymphocyte count of 200 or less — a normal count ranges from 600 to 1,000

By the time AIDS develops, your immune system has been severely damaged, making you susceptible to opportunistic infections. The signs and symptoms of some of these infections
may include:

• Soaking night sweats
• Shaking chills or Fever higher than 100 F for several weeks
• Dry Cough and shortness of breath
• Chronic Diarrhea
• Persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your tongue or in your mouth
• Headaches
• Blurred and distorted vision
• Weight Loss

You may also begin to experience signs and symptoms of later stage HIV infection itself, such as:

• Persistent, unexplained fatigue
• Soaking night sweats
• Shaking chills or Fever higher than 100 F for several weeks
• Swelling of lymph nodes for more than three months
• Chronic Diarrhea
• Persistent headaches

If you're infected with HIV, you're also more likely to develop certain cancers, especially Kaposi's sarcoma, cervical Cancer and lymphoma, although improved treatments have reduced the risk of these illnesses.

Symptoms of HIV in children

Children who are HIV-positive often fail to gain weight or grow normally. As the disease progresses, they may have difficulty walking or delayed mental development. In addition to being susceptible to the same opportunistic infections that adults are, children may have severe forms of common childhood illnesses such as ear infections (otitis media), pneumonia and tonsillitis.

Causes

Normally, white blood cells and antibodies attack and destroy foreign organisms that enter your body. This response is coordinated by white blood cells known as CD4 lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are also the main targets of HIV, which attaches to the cells and then enters them. Once inside, the virus inserts its own genetic material into the lymphocytes and uses them to make copies of itself.

When the new copies of the virus break out of the host cells and enter the bloodstream, they search for other cells to attack. In the meantime, the old host cells and some uninfected CD4 cells die from the effects of the virus. The cycle repeats itself again and again. In the process, billions of new HIV particles are produced every day. Eventually, the number of CD4 cells in the body decreases, leading to severe immune deficiency, which means your body can no longer effectively fight off viruses and Bacteria that cause disease.

Preventions:

Using latex condoms consistently and correctly can greatly reduce, but not completely eliminate the risk for contracting HIV. A new condom should be used for each act of intercourse. Only water-based lubricants, such as glycerin or lubricating jelly should be used. Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, cold cream, hand lotion or baby oil results in a break down of the protective layer on the condoms, allowing semen through. Stop and replace immediately with a new one if any condom breaks or slips off during sex.

Always use disposable syringes and do not share needles. Blood should be checked and tested for AIDS and other diseases before transfusion.

Herbal Supplements:

Several herbs and supplements can be used. A high resisting, immune building diet is primary for success in overcoming AIDS and related conditions.
Diet:

• Frequently, people with AIDS suffer from malnutrition and while drugs may help to stem the disease, their side effects often contribute to more weakness and debility. RDA requirements do not address the nutritional needs of the body when fighting disease. Victims of AIDS suffer from low serum Zinc levels and intestinal nutrient malabsorption. The bowel and liver need to be strengthened. Nutritional deficiencies including lack of vitamin A, Zinc, and pyridoxine may cause decreased Immunity.

• Individuals suffering from AIDS experience continual stress on their immune systems resulting in a variety of diseases related to immunodeficiencies. Protecting and Boosting the immune system with a regimen of diet and supplementation is of utmost importance. Therefore a rigorous supply of nutrients becomes essential for anyone who suffers from a compromised immune system.

• For the immune system to function properly, adequate levels of vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic Acid, pyridoxine, Vitamin E, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, Zinc and several amino acids must be maintained.

• Therapies designed to contribute emotional and spiritual support are also intrinsically important to the success of all treatment strategies.

• Learn to eat a diet high in raw foods. Emphasize fresh fruits and vegetables with particular attention to Onions, yellow vegetables, dark green vegetables, seeds, whole grains and Alfalfa. Drinking freshly juiced fruits and vegetables with the addition of garlic and onion is recommended.

• Green drinks are excellent and adding liquid chlorophyll makes them even better.

• Foods that should be emphasized are cruciferous vegetables, which include cabbage, Broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts; legumes such as millet, lentils, red beans and brown rice; unsalted nuts and seeds; and low-fats or non-fat active yogurts.

• Use olive oil and eat fish (salmon or other cold water varieties) for protein.

• Use a good protein supplement to help keep protein consumption adequate without eating red meats or cheese.

• Avoid all processed foods, salt, bacon, hot dogs, pickled products, hydrogenated and polyunsaturated fats, potato chips, soda pop, lunchmeats and cheese, alcohol, caffeine and sugar.