AIDS

The initials, AIDS, stand for Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome.

DESCRIPTION

This is a viral infection which up to this time has no known
cure. The human body has many different types of white blood cells
that circulate around the body. These all have a specific job to do
in the body’s natural immune system.

Some white blood cells, T4, act as helper cells. These support
other cells of immunity to defend the body against infection. These
T4 cells can become infected with the AIDS virus. The AIDS virus
kills the T4 cells and as a result the natural immune system of the
body does not do its job properly. The body is easily attacked by
even simple infections, allowing more serious secondary infections
to take hold.

The patient’s reaction may vary from person to person and initially
may suffer for only a short period from an illness with all the
symptoms of glandular fever. All this may appear only a few months
after the initial infection. Others show no sign of any illness for
years. All sorts of symptoms may appear such as diarrhoea, fever –
adults, sweating, fatigue and aching joints. The patient may suffer
a sudden weight loss. As the disease progresses and the symptoms
become more severe, conditions like lung disease, skin tumours,
severe fungal infections of the mouth and throat, and severe
diarrhoea can occur.

Patients suffering from AIDS also develop various malignancies,
most notably Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphomas.

The infection cannot be passed on by simply touching a patient or
by drinking from the same glass. The virus is thought to die in the
air and is destroyed outside the body by soap and household bleach.
The infection is passed on by prolonged contact of body fluids,
thus the recommendation of a CONDOM for sexual intercourse. For
drug addicts the use of a used syringe contaminated by infected
blood is another method of infection.

Blood transfusions between 1980 and 1985 were not fully protected
by the antibody test for AIDS. Some people were infected during
that period and if you had a blood transfusion at that time it is
important that you should check with your Doctor.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

As with all conditions your Doctor should be consulted to
diagnose and treat this condition. 

In all cases the AIDS patient must be under the constant
supervision of a Doctor.

DIET HINTS

See the AIDS (early stage) Diet on the Healthpoint.

• The AIDS virus can progress quickly and more severely in a
  person with nutritional deficiencies. Common nutritional
  deficiencies in AIDS patients include Vitamin A and C and zinc.
  These nutrients can be found in yellow, orange and red fruits and
  vegetables, pumpkin seeds and oysters.
• Avoid all processed foods, saturated fats, alcohol, tea, coffee
  and simple sugars such as cakes, lollies and soft drinks. Eat lots
  of raw, fresh fruits and vegetables – 4 to 5 servings of each a
  day. Have plenty of fresh fruit juices with no added sugar. Include
  plenty of fibre from whole grains in the diet as well.
• Eat high quality proteins such as fish, eggs and yoghurt. Fish
  contains the Omega-3 fatty acids and yoghurt contains acidophilus
  which can help to improve the bowel bacteria. Eat only small
  quantities of lean meats. Protein supplement powders supply all the
  necessary amino acids and do not over burden the immune
  system.
• Avoid yeast containing foods such as white breads, alcohol and
  mushrooms.
• Introduce garlic wherever possible. It has natural healing and
  antibiotic properties.

VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS

Nutritional supplements are only to be used if the dietary
vitamin intake is inadequate.

• Vitamin C can support immune function therefore may be
  beneficial.
• Vitamin E has been reported to assist in slowing the
  progression of HIV to AIDS.
• Vitamin B Complex may be deficient therefore supplementation
  may assist.
• Many studies have shown that people with HIV have a greater
  need  for  Antioxidants .
• Coenzyme Q10 is a potent antioxidant and a nutrient that can
  aid in energy production and immunity.
• Zinc can support immune function.
• Milk thistle may assist liver function if using pharmaceutical
  medications for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.
• Turmeric may be a very useful  in the treatment of HIV, as
  can assist in stopping the virus at every stage of infection. This
  herb should be taken in the form of curcumin tablets.

NOTES

Never share needles, but if you have to, then as a last resort
clean them. No cleaning method can be guaranteed to do the job so
make sure you always have access to new, clean needles. Needle
exchange programs have been set up for this purpose. According to
the analysis of HIV surveillance data by the Centres for Disease
Control in the USA, 25 percent of AIDS cases reported in 2002 were
among injection drug users.

ORGANISATIONS & SUPPORT GROUPS

See the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations topic on
the Healthpoint.

PHARMACIST’S ADVICE

Ask your Pharmacist for advice.

1. Use condoms to help reduce the spread of AIDS via sexual
   contact. Your Pharmacy stocks a range of condoms.
2. Acidophilus may help improve digestion and bowel bacteria in
   some AIDS sufferers.
3. If the diet is inadequate, consider some nutritional
   supplements. Vitamin C and vitamin E are often used to boost the
   immune system in AIDS patients. Selenium has also been used with
   AIDS patients due to its antiviral activity.