Description

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is a constant, also called chronic condition. It is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, also called HIV. HIV damages the immune system so that the body is less able to fight infection and disease. If HIV is not treated, it can take years before that weakens the immune system enough for AIDS . Thanks to the treatment, most of the people in the united states do not get AIDS .

HIV is spread through contact with the genitals, such as during sexual intercourse without a condom. This type of infection is called a sexually transmitted infection, also called an STI. HIV also is spread through contact with blood, such as when people share needles or syringes. It is also possible that a person with HIV without trying to spread the virus to a child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.

There is No cure for HIV / AIDS . But medicines can control the infection and prevent the disease from getting worse. Antiviral treatments for HIV have reduced AIDS deaths in all over the world. There is an ongoing effort to do ways to prevent and treat HIV / AIDS more available in resource-poor countries.

Symptoms

The symptoms of HIV and AIDS vary, depending on the person and the stage of infection.

The primary infection, also called acute HIV

Some HIV-infected people get a flu-like illness within 2 to 4 weeks after the virus enters the body. This stage can last from a few days to several weeks. Some people have no symptoms during this stage.

The possible symptoms include:

  • Fever.
  • The pain of a headache.
  • Muscle aches and joint pain.
  • Rash.
  • The sore throat and painful mouth sores.
  • Inflammation of the lymph nodes, also called nodes, mainly in the neck.
  • The diarrhea.
  • The loss of weight.
  • For cough.
  • Night sweats.

These symptoms can be so mild that you may not be aware of them. However, the amount of virus in the bloodstream, called the viral load is high at this time. As a result, the infection spreads to the other more easily during primary infection than during the next stage.

Clinical latent infection, also called chronic HIV

At this stage of infection, HIV is still in the body and immune system cells, called white blood cells. But during this time, many people do not have symptoms or infections that HIV can cause.

This stage can last for many years by people who are not receiving antiretroviral therapy, also called ART. Some people become more severe disease much sooner.

Symptomatic HIV infection

As the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, you can get mild infections or long-term symptoms, such as:

  • Fever.
  • Fatigue.
  • Inflammation of the lymph nodes, which are often one of the first symptoms of HIV infection.
  • The diarrhea.
  • The loss of weight.
  • Oral yeast infection, also called candidiasis.
  • Shingles, also called herpes zoster.
  • Pneumonia.

The progression to AIDS

Best antiviral treatments have markedly decreased AIDS-related deaths around the world. Thanks to these life-saving treatment, most people with HIV in the united states today, don't get AIDS . Without treatment, HIV most of the times it becomes AIDS at around 8 to 10 years.

Having AIDS means that your immune system is badly damaged. People with AIDS are more likely to develop the disease would not get if they had a healthy immune system. These are called opportunistic infections or cancers opportunistic. Some people suffer from opportunistic infections during the acute phase of the disease.

The symptoms of some of these infections may include:

  • Sweats.
  • Chills.
  • The fever that keeps coming back.
  • Ongoing diarrhea.
  • Inflammation of the lymph nodes.
  • Constant of white patches or sores on the tongue or in the mouth.
  • Constant fatigue.
  • The weakness.
  • Fast weight loss.
  • Skin rashes or bumps.

When to see a doctor

If you think you may have been infected with HIV or who are at risk of contracting the virus, consult a health care professional as soon as you can.

Causes

HIV is caused by a virus. It can spread through sexual contact, the filming of illicit drugs or the use of shared needles, and contact with infected blood. It can also be spread from father to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

HIV destroys the white blood cells called CD4 T cells. These cells play an important role in helping the body to fight the disease. The lower number of CD4 T cells you have, the weaker your immune system.

How does HIV become AIDS?

You can have an HIV infection with few or no symptoms for years before they develop AIDS . AIDS is diagnosed when the count of CD4 + T cells falls below 200 or you have a complication is obtained only if you have AIDS , such as a serious infection or cancer.

How HIV is transmitted

You can become infected with HIV if infected blood, semen or fluid of a vagina to enter your body. This can occur when:

  • To have sexual intercourse. You can become infected if you have vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner. Oral sex carries a lower risk. The virus can enter the body through the mouth sores, or small tears that can occur in the rectum or vagina during sexual intercourse.
  • Sharing needles to inject illicit drugs. The sharing of needles and syringes that have been infected that puts you at high risk of contracting HIV and other infectious diseases, such as hepatitis.
  • To have a blood transfusion. Sometimes, the virus can be transmitted through the blood of a donor. Hospitals and blood banks to screen the blood supply for HIV . So this risk is lower in places where these precautions are taken. The risk may be greater in resource-poor countries that are not able to screen all donated blood.
  • Have a pregnancy, give birth or breastfeed. Pregnant women, people with HIV can transmit the virus to their babies. People who are HIV positive, and get treatment for the infection during pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk of their babies.

How HIV is not spread

You cannot become infected with HIV through casual contact. That means you can't catch HIV or AIDS by hugging, kissing, dancing or shaking hands with someone who has the infection.

HIV is not spread through air, water or insect bites. You can't get HIV by donating blood.

Risk factors

Any person of any age, race, sex or sexual orientation can have HIV / AIDS . However, you are at greater risk of contracting HIV / AIDS, if you:

  • Having sex without protection. Use a new latex or polyurethane condom every time you have sex. Anal sex is riskier than vaginal sex. Your risk of contracting HIV increases if you have more than one sexual partner.
  • Have anSTI. Many Stis cause sores on the genitals. These sores allow HIV to enter the body.
  • Inject illegal drugs. If you share needles and syringes, you may be exposed to infected blood.

Complications

HIV infection weakens the immune system. The infection is more likely to get infections and certain types of cancer.

Infections common to HIV/AIDS

  • Pneumocystis pneumonia, also called PCP. This fungal infection can cause severe disease. Does not happen as often in the united states because of the treatments for HIV / AIDS . But PCP is still the most common cause of pneumonia in persons infected with HIV .
  • Thrush, also called candidiasis. Candidiasis is a common HIV-related infection. It makes a thick, white coating in the mouth, tongue, esophagus, or vagina.
  • Tuberculosis, also called TB. TUBERCULOSIS is a common opportunistic infection associated with HIV . Worldwide, TUBERCULOSIS is the leading cause of death among people with AIDS . It is less common in the united states thanks to the extensive use of anti-HIV drugs.
  • Cytomegalovirus. This herpes virus is transmitted in body fluids such as saliva, blood, urine, semen and breast milk. A healthy immune system renders the virus inactive, but that it remains in the body. If the immune system weakens, the virus is activated, causing damage to the eyes, the digestive system, the lungs, or other organs.
  • Cryptococcal meningitis. Meningitis is the inflammation and irritation, call of inflammation of the membranes and fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. Cryptococcal meningitis is a common infection of the central nervous system related to HIV . A fungus found in the soil cause.
  • Toxoplasmosis.This infection is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that primarily transmitted by cats. Cats infected by the pass of the parasites in the stool. The parasites can then be extended to other animals and humans. Toxoplasmosis can cause heart disease. Seizures occur when it spreads to the brain. And can be fatal.

Toxoplasmosis. This infection is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that primarily transmitted by cats. Cats infected by the pass of the parasites in the stool. The parasites can then be extended to other animals and humans.

Toxoplasmosis can cause heart disease. Seizures occur when it spreads to the brain. And can be fatal.

The common cancers to HIV/AIDS

  • The lymphoma. This type of cancer starts in the white blood cells. The most common early sign is the painless swelling of the lymph nodes most often in the neck, armpit or groin.
  • Kaposi's sarcoma. This is a tumor of the walls of the blood vessels. Kaposi's sarcoma most often appears as a pink, red or purple sores called lesions in the skin and in the mouth in people with white skin. In people with Black or brown skin, the lesions may appear dark brown or black. Kaposi's sarcoma can also affect the internal organs, including the lungs and the organs of the digestive system.
  • The human papilloma virus (HPV) - related cancers. These are the cancers caused by HPV infection. They include anal, oral and cervical cancers.

Other complications

  • The syndrome of wear. It's not about the HIV / AIDS can cause a great amount of weight loss. Diarrhea, weakness, and fever is often the case with weight loss.
  • The brain and the nervous system, called neurological, complications. HIV can cause neurological symptoms such as confusion, poor memory, depression, anxiety, and difficulty walking. HIV-associated neurological conditions can vary from mild symptoms such as behavior changes and the reduction of mental functioning severe dementia that causes weakness and not be able to function.
  • Kidney disease. HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is swelling and irritation, called inflammation of the tiny filters in the kidneys. These filters remove the excess fluid and waste from the blood and passes into the urine. The kidney disease most often affects Black and Hispanic people.
  • Disease of the liver. Liver disease is also a major complication, mainly in people who also have hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

Prevention

There is a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and no cure for HIV / AIDS . But you can protect yourself and others from infection.

To help prevent the spread of HIV :

  • Consider pre-exposure prophylaxis, also called PrEP.There are twoPrEPmedicines taken by mouth, also called oral, and onePrEPmedicine given in the form of a shot, called injection. Oral medications are emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada) and emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Descovy). The injectable drug called cabotegravir (Apretude).PrEPcan reduce the risk of diseases of transmittedHIVinfection in people at very high risk. PrEPcan reduce the risk of gettingHIVfrom sex by about 99% and the injection of drugs by at least 74%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Descovy has not been studied in people that have sex to have a penis to put in their vaginas, so-called receptive vaginal sex. Cabotegravir (Apretude) is the first Food and Drug Administration-approvedPrEPthat can be given as an injection to reduce the risk of diseases of transmittedHIVinfection in people at very high risk. A health care professional gives you the shot. After two once-monthly shots, Apretude is given every two months. The shot is an option instead of a dailyPrEPpill. Your healthcare provider will prescribe medication to preventHIVonly to the people that I don't haveHIVinfection. You need to anHIVtest before you start taking anyPrEP. You need to take the test every three months for the pills or before each shot during the time that you takePrEP. You need to take the pill every day or to keep close track of the shooting schedule. You still need to practice safe sex to protect against otherSTIs. If you have hepatitis B, you should see an infectious disease of the liver or specialist before beginningPrEPtherapy.
  • The use of treatment as prevention, also called TasP.If you haveHIV, takingHIVmedicines you can keep your partner from becoming infected with the virus. If the blood tests show that there is no virus, which means that your viral load may not be detected. Then do not transmit the virus to another person through sex. If you useTasP, you should take your medications exactly as prescribed and get regular check-ups.
  • The use of post-exposure prophylaxis, also called PEP, if you have been exposed toHIV. If you believe you have been exposed through sex, through needles or in the place of work, contact your health care provider or go to an emergency room. Take PEP as soon as you can within the first 72 hours, you can greatly reduce the risk of contracting HIV . You need to take the medication for 28 days.
  • Use a new condom every time you have anal or vaginal sex.Both male and female condoms are available. If you use a lubricant, make sure it is water-based. Oil-based lubricants can weaken condoms and cause them to break. During oral sex, the use of a cut-open condom or a piece of medical-grade latex called a dental dam without lubricant.
  • Tell your sexual partner that haveHIV. It is important that you report all your current and past sexual partners that you are HIV positive. Must be tested.
  • Use clean needles. If the use of needles to inject illicit drugs, make sure that the needles are sterile. Don't share. Use the needle-exchange programs in your community. Seek help for your drug use.
  • If you are pregnant, get medical attention immediately. You can pass HIV to your baby. But if you receive treatment during pregnancy, you can reduce your baby's risk to a great extent.
  • Consider male circumcision. Studies show that the removal of the foreskin of the penis, called the circumcision, which can help reduce the risk of contracting the HIV infection.

Consider pre-exposure prophylaxis, also called PrEP. There are two PrEP medications that are taken by mouth, also called oral, and a Preparation medication that is administered in the form of injection, called injection. Oral medications are emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada) and emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Descovy). The injectable drug called cabotegravir (Apretude). Preparation can reduce the risk of sexual transmission of HIV in people at very high risk.

Preparation can reduce the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% and the injection of drugs by at least 74%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Descovy has not been studied in people that have sex to have a penis to put in their vaginas, so-called receptive vaginal sex.

Cabotegravir (Apretude) is the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved Preparation that can be administered as an injection to reduce the risk of sexual transmission of HIV in people at very high risk. A health care professional gives you the shot. After two once-monthly shots, Apretude is given every two months. The shot is an option instead of a diary of Preparation of the pill.

Your healthcare provider will prescribe medication to prevent HIV only to people who already do not have HIV infection. You need an HIV test before you start taking any Preparation . You need to take the test every three months for the pills or before each shot for a longer time of Preparation .

You need to take the pill every day or to keep close track of the shooting schedule. You still need to practice safe sex to protect against other Stis . If you have hepatitis B, you should see an infectious disease of the liver or specialist before you begin the Preparation of the therapy.

The use of treatment as prevention, also called TasP. If you have HIV , you can take medicines for HIV can keep your partner infected with the virus. If the blood tests show that there is no virus, which means that your viral load may not be detected. Then do not transmit the virus to another person through sex.

If you are using TasP , you should take your medications exactly as prescribed and get regular check-ups.

Use a new condom every time you have anal or vaginal sex. Both male and female condoms are available. If you use a lubricant, make sure it is water-based. Oil-based lubricants can weaken condoms and cause them to break.

During oral sex, the use of a cut-open condom or a piece of medical-grade latex called a dental dam without lubricant.

Diagnosis

HIV can be diagnosed through blood or saliva testing. The tests include:

  • Antigen-antibody tests.These tests most often the blood from a vein. The antigens are substances in theHIVvirus himself. They most often appear in the blood within a couple of weeks after the exposure toHIV. The immune system produces antibodies when exposed toHIV. It can take weeks or months for antibodies to show up in the blood. You can't show a positive result in the antibody-antigen reaction of the test until 2 to 6 weeks after exposure toHIV.
  • The antibody tests. These tests can detect HIV antibodies in the blood or the saliva. Most of the rapid HIV tests are antibody tests. This includes self-tests made at home. You can't show a positive result in a test of antibodies for up to 3 to 12 weeks after you've been exposed to HIV .
  • Nucleic acid tests (NATs).These tests can detect the virus in the blood, called the viral load. The blood from a vein. If you may have been exposed toHIVwithin the last few weeks, your health care professional may suggestNAT.NATis the first test to become positive after exposure toHIV.

Antigen-antibody tests. These tests most often the blood from a vein. The antigens are substances on the HIV virus itself. They most often appear in the blood within a couple of weeks after you have been exposed to HIV .

The immune system produces antibodies when it is exposed to HIV . It can take weeks or months for antibodies to show up in the blood. You can't show a positive result in the antibody-antigen reaction of the test until 2 to 6 weeks after exposure to HIV .

Nucleic acid tests (NATs). These tests can detect the virus in the blood, called the viral load. The blood from a vein.

If you have been exposed to HIV within the last few weeks, your health care professional may suggest NAT . NAT is the first test to become positive after exposure to HIV .

Talk with your health care professional about the HIV test is right for you. If any of these tests are negative, you may need a follow-up test of weeks to months later to confirm the results.

Testing to the stage of the disease and the treatment

If you have been diagnosed with HIV , finding a specialist trained in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV, to help you:

  • Decide if you need other tests.
  • Find that the HIV antiretroviral therapy, also called ART, it is the best for you.
  • See your progress and work with you to manage your health.

If you receive a diagnosis of HIV / AIDS , tests can help your healthcare professional to learn the stage of the disease and the best treatment, including:

  • The CD4 T-cell count. CD4 T cells are white blood cells that HIV attacks and destroys. Even if you have no symptoms, the infection by HIV becomes AIDS when your T-cell count CD4 drops below 200.
  • Viral load, also calledHIVRNA. This test measures the amount of virus in your blood. After you begin treatment, the goal is to have a viral load so low that it is not displayed in the test, which is called undetectable. This greatly reduces your chances of opportunistic infections and other HIV-related complications.
  • The medicine of the resistance. Some strains of HIV resistant to the drugs. This test helps your healthcare professional know if your form of virus resistance. This guide treatment decisions.

Evidence of complications

Your healthcare provider may also order certain lab tests to rule out other infections or complications, including:

  • Tuberculosis.
  • The Hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection.
  • Sti .
  • Liver or kidney damage.
  • Urinary tract infection.
  • Cervical and anal cancer.
  • Cytomegalovirus.
  • Toxoplasmosis.

Treatment

There is No cure for HIV / AIDS . Once you have the infection, the body can't get rid of it. But there are medications that can control HIV and prevent complications.

All people diagnosed with HIV should take antiretroviral therapy medications, also called ART. This is true regardless of which stage of the disease or what the complications are.

The ART is usually a mixture of two or more drugs of various classes. This approach has the best chance of reducing the amount of HIV in the blood. There are many ART options that mix multiple HIV medications in a single pill taken once a day.

Each class of drugs blocks the virus in different ways. The treatment consists in the mixture of drugs of different classes:

  • Account for the medicine of the resistance, called the viral genotype.
  • Keep, since the creation of the new drug-resistant strains of HIV .
  • To suppress the virus in the blood as much as possible.

Two of medicines from a class, more than a third of the medicine from another class, it is used most often.

The classes of anti-HIV drugs, include the following:

  • Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Nnrtis)turn off a protein needed byHIVto make copies of itself. Examples include efavirenz, rilpivirine (Edurant), and doravirine (Pifeltro).
  • Nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Nrtis)are faulty versions of building blocks thatHIVneeds to make copies of itself. Examples include abacavir (Ziagen), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread), emtricitabine (Emtriva), lamivudine (Epivir) and zidovudine (Retrovir). Retrovir is not suggested for routine use in the united states due to the high rate of toxic effects. Mixtures of drugs are also available, such as emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada) and emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Descovy).
  • Protease inhibitors (PIs)makeHIVprotease inactive.HIVprotease is another protein thatHIVneeds to make copies of itself. Some examples include atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), and lopinavir-ritonavir (Kaletra).
  • The integrase inhibitorsstop the action of a protein called integrase.HIVuses integrase to put its genetic material into CD4 T cells. Examples include bictegravir sodium-emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Biktarvy), raltegravir (Isentress), dolutegravir (Tivicay) and cabotegravir (Vocabria).
  • The input, or the merger of inhibitorsblockHIV'sentry to CD4 T cells. Examples include enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) and maraviroc (Selzentry). The newer drugs include ibalizumab-uiyk (Trogarzo) and fostemsavir (Rukobia).

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Nnrtis) turn off a protein that needs to HIV to make copies of itself.

Examples include efavirenz, rilpivirine (Edurant), and doravirine (Pifeltro).

Nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Nrtis) are faulty versions of building blocks that HIV needs to make copies of itself.

Examples include abacavir (Ziagen), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread), emtricitabine (Emtriva), lamivudine (Epivir) and zidovudine (Retrovir). Retrovir is not suggested for routine use in the united states due to the high rate of toxic effects.

Mixtures of drugs are also available, such as emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada) and emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Descovy).

Protease inhibitors (PIs) make HIV protease inactive. The HIV protease is another protein that HIV needs to make copies of itself.

Some examples include atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), and lopinavir-ritonavir (Kaletra).

Integrase inhibitors stop the action of a protein called integrase. HIV uses integrase to put its genetic material into CD4 T cells.

Examples include bictegravir sodium-emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (Biktarvy), raltegravir (Isentress), dolutegravir (Tivicay) and cabotegravir (Vocabria).

Entry or fusion inhibitors block HIV's entry into CD4 T cells.

Examples include enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) and maraviroc (Selzentry). The newer drugs include ibalizumab-uiyk (Trogarzo) and fostemsavir (Rukobia).

Initiate and maintain treatment

All persons with HIV infection, no matter what the count of CD4 + T cells or symptoms, you should offer an antiviral medication.

The stay in the ART, that keeps your viral load of HIV in the blood that has been detected is the best way for you to stay healthy.

For the ART of work, you should take the medication as prescribed. Do not miss or skip doses. The stay in the ART with an undetectable viral load helps:

  • Keep your immune system strong.
  • Reduce your chances of getting an infection.
  • To reduce the chances of getting resistant to HIV treatment .
  • Lower the risk of spreading HIV to other people.

Stay in the therapy against HIV can be difficult. Talk with your health care professional about potential side effects, the problems have been taking the medication, and any mental health or substance use problems that may make it difficult for you to stay in the ART .

Have regular follow-up appointments with your health care professional to check your health and your response to treatment. Let your healthcare professional immediately if you have problems with the anti-HIV therapy. Then, they can work together to find ways to deal with those issues.

The side effects of treatment

The side effects of treatment may include:

  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • Diseases of the heart.
  • Kidney and liver damage.
  • Weakening of the bones or bone loss.
  • Cholesterol levels that are not typical.
  • High sugar in the blood.
  • Problems with thinking, emotions, and sleep.

Treatment for age-related diseases

Some health problems that are a part of aging may be more difficult to manage if you have HIV . Some medications that are common age-related heart, bone or metabolic conditions, for example, does not mix well with anti - HIV medicines. Talk with your healthcare provider about your other health conditions and the medications you take for them.

If other health care provider prescribes a medication for another condition, let the healthcare provider know about your anti-HIV therapy. Then, the health professional can make sure that there are no problems with taking the medications together.

The response to treatment

Your health care professional of your watch of the viral load and the CD4 T-cell counts to see your response to treatment of HIV. The first review is 4 to 6 weeks. After that you consult your health care professional every 3 to 6 months.

The treatment should be to reduce your viral load so that it can not be detected in the blood. That does not mean that HIV is gone. Even if you do not can be found in the blood, the HIV virus is still in your body.

Lifestyle and home remedies

In addition to receiving medical treatment, you need to take an active role in their own care. The following may help you stay healthier for longer:

  • Eat healthy foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins help keep you strong, give you more energy and support the immune system. Eat enough calories to keep your weight stable.
  • Avoid raw meat, eggs, and more. Food-borne illnesses can be serious in people who are infected with HIV . Cook the meat until it is well done. Do not use dairy products, which are not treated by a bacterium, called pasteurized. Do not eat raw eggs, and raw shellfish, such as oysters, sushi, or sashimi. Do not drink water that I don't know that it is safe.
  • Get the right vaccines. These can prevent common infections such as pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19 and mpox. Your healthcare provider may also suggest other vaccines, including those for HPV , hepatitis a and hepatitis B. Vaccines that do not have live virus in the majority of them are safe. But most of the live virus vaccines are not safe due to their weakened immune system.
  • Be careful with pets. Some animals may carry parasites that can cause infections in people who are HIV positive. Cat feces can cause toxoplasmosis, reptiles can carry salmonella, and birds can carry cryptococcus or histoplasmosis. Wash hands thoroughly after handling pets or emptying of litter boxes.

Alternative medicine

People who are infected with HIV, sometimes trying to dietary supplements that are intended to stimulate the immune system, or help with the side effects of anti - HIV drugs. But there are no studies that show that these claims are true. And many supplements can get in the way of other medicines that you take.

Always consult with your healthcare professional before taking any supplement or alternative therapies to make sure that do not affect the way your medicines work.

Supplements that may be helpful

There is little evidence to demonstrate that supplements the work in HIV. Some examples with the limited nature of the research include:

  • Acetyl-L-carnitine. The researchers have used the acetyl-L-carnitine for the treatment of nerve pain, numbness, or weakness, called neuropathy in people with diabetes. It can also relieve the neuropathy associated with HIV and for people who do not have enough acetyl-L-carnitine in their bodies.
  • Whey protein and certain amino acids. The preliminary evidence suggests that whey protein from milk, cheese product, can help some people with HIV gain weight. The amino acids L-glutamine, L-arginine and hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB), it can also help with the weight gain.
  • Probiotics. There is some evidence that probiotics Saccharomyces boulardii can help with HIV -related diarrhea. Use only as your healthcare provider tells you to. Bovine colostrum is also under study for the treatment of diarrhea. But more research is needed.
  • Vitamins and minerals. Vitamins a, D, E, C and B and the minerals zinc, iron, and selenium may help if you have low levels of them. Talk with your health professional before you take them. Too much of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful.

The supplements can be dangerous

  • St. John's wort. Often used for depression, St. John's wort can reduce several types of anti - HIV drugs work by more than half.
  • Garlic supplements. The garlic in and of itself may help to strengthen the immune system. But the garlic supplements can reduce the effectiveness of some anti - HIV medications work. Eat a little garlic in the food seems to be safe.
  • Red yeast rice extract. Some people use this to lower cholesterol. Do not take if you are taking a protease inhibitor or statin.

Mind-body practices

Practices such as yoga, meditation, and massage has been shown to reduce stress, as well as to provide relaxation and improve the quality of life. Although it needs further study, these practices can be useful if you are living with HIV / AIDS .

Coping and support

To obtain a diagnosis of any life-threatening illness can cause distress. The emotional, social and financial effects of HIV / AIDS can do to deal with this very difficult disease for you and for those who are close to you.

But there are many services and resources for people with HIV . The majority of HIV / AIDS clinics have social workers, counselors, or nurses who can help you or put you in touch with people who can help you.

They may be able to:

  • Arrange transportation to and from medical appointments.
  • Help with housing and child care.
  • Help with employment and legal matters.
  • Provide support during the financial crisis.

It is important to have a support system. Many people with HIV / AIDS find that talking to someone who knows about your illness gives them comfort.

Preparing for your appointment

If you think you might have an infection of HIV, it is likely to start by seeing your family health care provider. You may be sent to a specialist in infectious diseases that focuses on the treatment of HIV / AIDS .

What you can do

Before your appointment, think about the answers to these questions and bring them with you to your appointment:

  • How do you think you were exposed to HIV ?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • Do you have risk factors, like having sex without protection or shooting of illicit drugs?
  • What medications or supplements you take?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider will ask about your health and lifestyle and a physical examination, checking for:

  • Swollen lymph nodes.
  • Sores on the skin or in the mouth.
  • Problems with your nervous system.
  • Strange sounds in your lungs.
  • Swelling of the organs in the abdomen.

What you can do in the meantime

If you think you might have an infection, HIV, protect yourself and others before your appointment. Do not have sex without using protection. If you inject drugs, always use a fresh, clean needle. Do not share needles with other people.

Symptoms and treatment of HIV/AIDS