FitSugar

Experimental HIV Vaccine Works!

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:30:42 -0700

Every day 7,500 new people worldwide are infected with HIV, and right now 33 million people have the virus. In the year 2007 alone, two million died from from AIDS related disease. These grim statistics are why the news that experimental HIV vaccine has worked in preventing the risk of infection is just amazing. For the past 20 years, scientist have produced many vaccines that failed making this breakthrough huge.

Before your hopes are raised too high, know that the vaccine only decreased risk by about 31 percent, but with this little bit of success, a completely effective HIV vaccine could become reality in the not-too-distant future.

To hear more about the vaccine and how it was tested read more.

This new HIV vaccine actually involves two different vaccines that when tested previously on their own, didn't work. Scientists gave 8,000 18 to 30 year old men and women in Thailand a combination of both vaccines. Another 8,000 were given placebo vaccines. After three years, the rate of infection was a third lower in the group that received the vaccine: 51 of the vaccinated people who were infected, while 74 people who received the placebo were. The vaccine works by introducing an antigen into the body, which triggers the immune system to produce antibodies to protect against infection.

Although the vaccine was only partially effective, this is still seen as a huge step forward in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Scientists still have many more questions. Will the protection last, or will patients need regular booster shots? And will the vaccine prevent HIV regardless of it's transmitted ? Hopefully continued research can answer these questions, and help develop a vaccine that can protect us from this deadly virus.

Manicures, Pedicures and HIV

FitSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Sandals mean pedicures and why not get your fingernails done too. They are good for the health of your nails, both on your fingers and toes. There are a few health concerns with going to a salon for your mani pedis and HIV is one of them. Since HIV can be transmitted through blood, if the skin around your fingernails gets cut or broken, and there is the HIV virus present, then there's a chance it can be passed on to you. According to About.com, here are some ways to protect yourself.

Be certain that you go to a reputable salon that cleans and disinfects all the instruments between customers. If they aren't cleaned properly, there's a chance that HIV can be passed. If you're really concerned, you can always purchase your own manicure kit and bring it along.
Make sure the manicurist washes his or her hands before doing your nails. It can't hurt to request that they wear latex gloves too.
You may request that the manicurist not trim your cuticles, to reduce the chance of having cut or open skin.

To hear the rest read more.

The manicurist should use a new emory board on your nails.
If the manicurist uses a towel, make sure it is clean and unused.
Bring your own nail polish. Since nail polish is usually shared, using your own not only protects you from HIV, but from other infections and nail fungii as well.
If pedicures are your thing, make sure the tub is thoroughly disinfected between customers and avoid the callous remover that looks like a cheese grater. It might get your heels smooth, but they are difficult to disinfect.

Source

NYC is Preventing HIV

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

I am loving New York City right now. Not only are they ditching trans fat (wahoo), but when I took a trip there last weekend, I found these in their public bathrooms. Free latex condoms!

When I checked out the NYC Condom website, I discovered that New York City is the first city to brand its very own condom. Isn't that awesome?

They are being distributed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. You can pick them up at participating locations for FREE. The campaign began on Valentine's Day this year, but as you can see, it's still going strong.

I love that NYC is doing its part to stop the spread of STIs like HIV. Maybe some other cities will follow suit.

Have You Been Tested For HIV?

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Being that yesterday was National HIV Testing Day, I am curious how many of us have actually been tested. So, have you ever been tested for HIV?

Oh, and while we're on the topic DearSugar's got a great quiz on condoms that you definitely should take.

STIs Explained: HIV and AIDS

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Since today, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day, I thought I could dispel some myths and lay out the facts about HIV and AIDS. It is a serious issue so let's get down to business.

HIV - the human immunodeficiency virus - is a virus that kills your body’s "CD4 cells," (also called T-helper cells), that help your body fight off infection and disease.

HIV can be passed when an infected person's bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk) come in contact with an uninfected person's mucous membranes. The HIV virus can be passed during any type of sexual contact - including oral and anal sex. Sharing needles can also transmit HIV from one user to another. HIV-positive mothers can also pass it onto their babies when they are pregnant, when they deliver, or if they breastfeed.

AIDS - the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - is a disease you get when the HIV virus destroys your body’s immune system. That means that viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria that usually don't cause any problems can make you very sick since your immune system is damaged.

To prevent HIV and other STIs in the first place abstaining from sexual contact is your best bet, but the likelihood that happening is rare. So always use a latex or polyurethane condom when having sex. Or better yet, have you and your partner get tested before you get intimate.

Fit's Tips: Many people who have HIV do not show symptoms for many years, so the best thing to do is get tested just to make sure.

Want to know more about HIV and AIDS? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
HIV and AIDS	rapid weight loss dry cough extreme fatigue swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck diarrhea that lasts more than a week white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders pneumonia	Anonymous HIV testing is available in many places and it's usually free You can have a blood test, or a simple oral test that checks for HIV antibodies. People who have HIV antibodies are called HIV-positive.	There are treatments to help HIV symptoms, but there is no known cure yet

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

HIV and AIDS

rapid weight loss
dry cough
extreme fatigue
swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
diarrhea that lasts more than a week
white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders
pneumonia

Anonymous HIV testing is available in many places and it's usually free

You can have a blood test, or a simple oral test that checks for HIV antibodies.

People who have HIV antibodies are called HIV-positive.

There are treatments to help HIV symptoms, but there is no known cure yet

Source and Source

STIs Explained: Chlamydia

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Since Spring has arrived and romance is in the air, I thought I'd take the time to talk about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Not your favorite topic, I know, but definitely worth knowing about.

STI stands for "sexually transmitted infection." The reason this term is used instead of STD (sexually transmitted disease) is because the word "infection" is more accurate since many are actually curable (except for Genital Herpes and Genital Warts). Also, the word "infection" carries less of a negative social stigma than the word "disease."

STIs like chlamydia are 100% preventable, so you can either abstain from sex altogether (not realistic), or have you and your partner get tested before you have sex. Chlamydia can be passed through regular sex, and anal and oral sex, so being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know who is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe. When latex or polyurethane condoms are used consistently and correctly, that can also reduce the risk of transmitting chlamydia.

Make sure you see your gynecologist annually to get tested because if chlamydia goes untreated, irreversible damage can occur to a woman's reproductive organs, causing infertility.

Want to know about chlamydia? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Chlamydia (The #1 STI in the U.S.)	Frequently asymptomatic (no symptoms) Vaginal or penile discharge Burning during urination Women may experience lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, and irregular bleeding between periods Men may experience pain or swelling in the testicles	Samples of the infected fluid must be taken. Urine tests are now available too (which is good news for guys) but because they're more expensive, they're not yet available at all health clinics.	Since Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, antibiotics taken orally can cure most infections, but another round of antibiotics might need to be taken to get rid of it completely.

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

Chlamydia (The #1 STI in the U.S.)

Frequently asymptomatic (no symptoms)
Vaginal or penile discharge
Burning during urination
Women may experience lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, and irregular bleeding between periods
Men may experience pain or swelling in the testicles

Samples of the infected fluid must be taken.

Urine tests are now available too (which is good news for guys) but because they're more expensive, they're not yet available at all health clinics.

Since Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, antibiotics taken orally can cure most infections, but another round of antibiotics might need to be taken to get rid of it completely.

Source

The Female Condom

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:30:00 -0700

If you're sick of using regular condoms while having sex, but still want to be protected against sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) like HIV, the female condom might be the answer.

The female condom (also called the internal condom) is about 6.5 inches long and at each end there is a flexible ring. One end is closed and that's the ring that gets inserted into your vagina, much like you would insert a diaphragm - this ring is also removable. At the other open end, the ring stays outside the vulva at the entrance to the vagina.

What are the BENEFITS?

Female condoms actually protect you better against STDs than male condoms because they cover more of your mucous membranes.
It's made out of polyurethane, so if you have a latex allergy, this is another option for you besides polyurethane condoms. Condoms made out of polyurethane also conduct heat better.
They contain no spermicide which tend to irritate many women when they have sex.
It's 95% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly.
Oil-based lubricants can be used with the female condom.
It can be inserted up to 8 hours before you have sex.
Since the inner ring is removable, you can take it out and use the internal condom for anal intercourse. That's why it's considered a good option for protection against HIV and other STDs.

Want to know what the DISADVANTAGES are? Then read more

The outer ring can be seen outside the vagina, so for some women, this makes them feel self-conscious.
It can makes noises while you have sex, but using more lubricant may help this problem.
Some women find it harder to insert, use, and remove compared to male condoms.
It may be hard to find in certain countries.
It's more expensive than male condoms, costing about $10 for a 5-pack.

Fit's Tips: Just like using any form of birth control, it takes a little practice. Here's a step-by-step guide to inserting the female condom so you can become a pro.

Check out these Adriana Bertini dresses posted by Fab. They're made out of condoms to increase people's awareness about AIDS.

With all this in mind, I am curious - do you think you would ever try this form of birth control? If you have tried it, do share your thoughts about it in the comments section below.

Green Tea: HIV's Newest Enemy

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:15:00 -0700

I write this as I literally sip on a cup of green tea. This stuff is amazing...

New reports out of the University of Sheffield in the U.K have found that green tea, or more specifically the EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) found in green tea, prevents HIV from binding to immune system cells. How is this possible? EGCG does this by binding to immune system cells first, leaving no room for HIV to attach to the cells.

It is important to understand however that EGCG is not a cure, and nor is it a completely safe way to avoid infection. British scientists are suggesting that it could be used in combination with conventional medicines to improve quality of life for those infected. What else is great about green tea? Check out the skinny on green tea.

Healthy Penises on the Streets of San Francisco

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 02:21:12 -0800

It is being reported that a recent advertising campaign done by San Francisco's Department of Health featuring cartoon characters shaped like male genitalia has actually encouraged more men to go get tested for syphilis. Since the campaign got started, infection rates have declined in San Francisco.

The campaigns ran on billboards and bus shelters and its recent success has inspired Seattle, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Palm Springs to use similar ads.

To see more of the actual campaign ads, read more

View 12 Photos ›

To learn more about the campaign, visit HealthyPenis.org.

HIV and AIDS

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:55 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic and potentially fatal disease of the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which attacks a specific type of white blood cells known as T-lymphocytes. These cells are measured in the blood as the CD4 count. The lower the CD4 count, the weaker the immune system. As the immune system grows weaker, people with HIV and AIDS are susceptible to infections and cancers that the immune system would ordinarily fight off. About 31 million adults and 2.5 million children worldwide are infected with HIV. A massive research effort has produced better treatments, resulting in longer survival and improved quality of life for those with access to the treatments. But there is still no vaccine or cure.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of infection with HIV can vary. Often a flu-like syndrome occurs in 50 - 80% of those who contract HIV within the first 2 - 6 weeks, including a combination of the following symptoms:

Fever
Sore throat
Swollen lymph nodes
Joint pain
Muscle aches
Rash
Mouth ulcers
Nausea
Diarrhea
Headache

After infection with HIV, you may remain relatively symptom-free for years, or the disease may progress more rapidly. In this stage, the CD4 count is below 500/microliter. You may develop infections or chronic symptoms, including:

Swollen lymph nodes
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Fever
Cough and shortness of breath
Low platelet count, which may manifest as easy bruising, bleeding gums, or nose bleeds

During the last stage of the disease, HIV infection may meet the official criteria for AIDS, which is the presence of an opportunistic infection (such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, or PCP) or a CD4 count below 200/microliter. At this stage, symptoms may include:

Pneumonia, including PCP
Tuberculosis
Night sweats
Persistent fatigue
Extreme weight loss and wasting, exacerbated by diarrhea. Up to 90% of HIV patients worldwide experience diarrhea
Meningitis and other brain infections
Fungal infections
Syphilis
Malignancies such as lymphoma, cervical cancer, and Kaposi's sarcoma (affects the skin and oral mucosa and may spread to the lungs. Kaposi's sarcoma can actually occur in earlier stages of HIV as well)

What Causes It?

HIV infection causes AIDS. HIV is spread primarily through sexual contact, and also through blood-to-blood contact, needle sharing among intravenous drug users, and, in pregnant women, from mother to child. About 75% of HIV transmission occurs through sexual contact. Blood transfusions and blood products caused many infections in the early years of the epidemic, but screening procedures have nearly eliminated this risk in the United States and other developed countries. A mother can spread the virus to a newborn during delivery and through breastfeeding, although drug therapy available in the developed world can greatly reduce the risk to infants.

Risk factors include:

Having unprotected sex (without using a condom) and having more than one partner, whether you are heterosexual or homosexual
Having another sexually transmitted disease
Using intravenous drugs and sharing needles

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

If your health care provider suspects HIV infection, you may receive a "rapid test," which can provider results in 20 minutes. If the test is positive, your health care provider will order a blood test to detect antibodies against the virus. If this test is positive, the doctor will order a CD4 count (see above) and a viral load (an indication of the amount of virus present). This information, along with your symptoms, helps the doctor see what stage the disease is in and determine the best course of treatment for you, including the appropriate tests and medications. For example, if you are experiencing shortness of breath, your doctor will order a chest x-ray, particularly if your CD4 count is low. Some symptoms and tests may require evaluation in the hospital.

HIV tests may not be accurate immediately after you are infected, because it can take up to 12 weeks for your body to develop antibodies against the virus. If you suspect you have been infected and your test is negative, you may need to be retested after a short time to confirm the result.

If you do test positive for HIV, you will be asked to tell your sexual partners immediately so they can also be tested.

Treatment Options

Many valuable medications can slow the progression of HIV infection to full-blown AIDS. Generally, a combination of these medicines, including a type called protease inhibitors, is used. In addition, antibiotics and other therapies are used to prevent or treat specific complications. It is important to have your care directed by a doctor who specializes in HIV. Your health care provider will know the most effective treatment for you, including the most current medical regimen, what alternative treatments are safe, and which combinations may be harmful. If you are using any alternative therapies to complement your medical regimen, be sure to share this information with your doctor.

Drug Therapies

A combination of drugs is used to treat HIV very aggressively, with the aim of reducing the amount of virus in your blood to very low or undetectable levels and to suppress symptoms for as long as possible.

Antiretroviral drugs help slow the progression of HIV by inhibiting the reproduction of the virus in your blood. It's important to keep a steady dose of antiretroviral drugs in your body to prevent the virus from developing resistance to the drugs. Antiretroviral medications include:

Protease inhibitors (PIs) stop an HIV enzyme from replicating. This class of drugs includes saquinavir (Invirase), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), tipranavir (Aptivus), indinavir (Crixivan), amprenavir (Agenerase), and atazanavir (Reyataz). Another medicine, darunavir (Prezista), is used in combination with other drugs for people who have not responded to treatment. A combination of ritonavir and lopinavir (Kaletra) is among the most prescribed protease inhibitors. Protease inhibitors are considered the most powerful of HIV drugs and often interact with other medications, so they must be monitored carefully.
Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) also stop a particular HIV enzyme from replicating. These drugs were among the first to be developed and include zidovudine or azidodeoxythymidine (Retrovir or AZT), lamivudine (Epivir), didanosine (Videx), abacavir (Ziagen), stavudine (Zerit), and zalcitabine (Hivid). Emtricitabine (Emtriva) is a newer drug in this class and is taken with at least two other HIV medications. Combinations of several other drugs are also available. All have side effects that must be monitored by your doctor.
Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NtRTIs) work similarly to NRTIs but act more quickly. So far there is only one drug in this class, tenofovir (Viread), which seems to be effective in people who develop resistance to NRTIs.
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) stop the virus from making DNA, so that it can't replicate itself. There are three drugs in this class: nevirapine (Viramune), efavirenz (Sustiva), and delavirdine (Rescriptor). They are often used if people cannot tolerate the side effects of protease inhibitors, want to delay protease inhibitor therapy, or if they have taken protease inhibitors but did not experience a drop in levels of the virus. Many of these drugs are cross-resistant, meaning that if you develop resistance to one drug in this class it's likely you will be resistant to all.
Fusion inhibitors prevent the HIV membrane from fusing with the membrane of healthy cells in your body. Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) is often used in combination with other drugs in people who have become resistant to other medications. It must be administered by injection.
Combination drug therapies also exist. Epzicom is a combination of abacavir (Ziagen) and lamivudine (Epivir). Truvada is a combination of tenofovir (Viread) and emtricitabine (Emtriva).

In addition, any opportunistic infections are treated with the appropriate medications, or in some cases medications are given to prevent the infections from occurring (prophylaxis).

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Many people with HIV turn to complementary and alternative therapies to reduce symptoms of the virus, lessen side effects from medications, improve overall health and well-being, and for a sense of empowerment by being actively involved in their own care.

Different therapies are used to:

Inhibit the virus
Treat symptoms of the virus or side effects of medication
Treat or prevent opportunistic infections
Improve function of the immune system

Since the major impact of HIV is that it leaves patients vulnerable to opportunistic infections, making adjustments to ensure your overall health through improving stress reduction, exercise, and building a social support network can significantly boost immune function. In fact, these actions are some of the most powerful tools a person has to impact the course of the disease. Other changes, such as improving oral and general hygiene and limiting exposure to environmental pollutants, can also bolster your health and vitality. These small steps can add up to a longer and healthier life for many people.

However, HIV should never be treated with alternative therapies alone. It is extremely important that you share information on your use of complementary and alternative therapies with your doctor, so that your doctor can help you determine what is safe and appropriate.

Nutrition and Supplements

These nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:

Eliminate suspected food allergens, such as dairy (milk, cheese, and ice cream), wheat (gluten), soy, corn, preservatives, and chemical food additives. Your health care provider may want to test you for food allergies.
Eat foods high in B-vitamins, calcium, and iron, such as almonds, beans, whole grains (if no allergy), dark leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), and sea vegetables.
Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes) and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).
Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and especially sugar.
Use quality protein sources, such as organic meat and eggs, whey, and vegetable protein shakes, as part of a balanced program aimed at gaining muscle and preventing weight loss that can sometimes be a side effect of therapy. Try to eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, such as chicken and fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy), or beans for protein.
Use healthy oils in foods, such as olive or vegetable oil.
Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week. Talk to your health care provider about how much exercise you can tolerate.

You may address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:

A daily multivitamin containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and selenium.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 - 3 tbs. oil, one to three times daily, to help decrease inflammation and help with immunity. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources but not substitutes for supplementation.
Whey protein, 10 - 20 grams daily mixed in favorite beverage, when needed as a protein supplement for support of immunity and weight gain or creatine, 5 - 7 grams daily, when needed for muscle weakness and wasting. Talk with your health care provider.
N-acetyl cysteine, 200 - 800 mg daily, for antioxidant effects.
Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus among other strains), 5 - 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day, when needed for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. Some probiotic supplements need refrigeration for best results - check labels carefully.
Coenzyme Q10, 100 - 200 mg at bedtime, for antioxidant and immune activity.
Vitamin C, 500 - 1,000 mg one to three times daily, as an antioxidant and for immune support. Some doctors will use higher doses in HIV and AIDS therapies. Check with your health care provider.
L-glutamine, 500 - 1,000 mg three times daily, for support of gastrointestinal health and immunity.
Melatonin, 2 - 5 mg 1 hour before bedtime, for sleep and immune protection. Ask your health care provider about potential drug interactions with the use of melatonin.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 200 - 500 mg per day, for hormonal balance. DHEA is a hormone that is often low in people with HIV. One study found that DHEA supplements improved minor depression with no serious side effects. Because DHEA is a hormone, you should not take it without your doctor's supervision.

Weight loss can be a serious problem for people with HIV. This symptom may begin early in the course of the disease and can increase the risk for developing opportunistic infections. Weight loss is exacerbated by other common symptoms of HIV and AIDS, including lesions in the mouth and esophagus, diarrhea, and poor appetite. Over the last several years, weight loss has become less of a problem due to the new protease inhibitors used for treating HIV. Reduction of muscle mass, though, remains a significant concern. Working with a registered dietitian to develop a meal plan to prevent weight loss and muscle breakdown is extremely helpful. Resistance training (lifting weights) can also protect against muscle breakdown and increase lean body mass.

Preventing diarrhea and ensuring that the body absorbs enough protein to maintain muscle strength has become a major goal of HIV/AIDS preventative care. One program for combating diarrhea includes using soluble fiber (not insoluble fiber, such as Metamucil and psyllium husks). For some people, soluble fiber can help food stay in the digestive tract for longer periods of time, increasing the amount of nutrients that are absorbed, and lessening bowel frequency. Good sources of soluble fiber include apple pectin, oat bran, and flax seed. Because diarrhea can be a potentially life-threatening situation, use soluble fiber therapy only under the strict supervision of a trained professional.

Herbs

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to get your problem diagnosed before starting any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, you should make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 - 500 mg daily, for antioxidant and immune effects. Use caffeine-free products. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb.
Fermented wheat germ extract, 1 packet dissolved in favorite beverage once daily, for immune effects. Ask your health care provider for more information about this supplement.
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) standardized extract, 200 mg two to three times daily, for antiviral and immune support. Higher dosages may be needed in HIV and AIDs therapy. A health care provider can help with dosages.
Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) standardized extract (D-fraction), 600 mg twice daily, for immune and antiviral effects. You may also take a tincture of this mushroom extract, 30 - 60 drops two to three times a day.
Garlic (Allium sativum), standardized extract, 400 mg two to three times daily, for antibacterial or antifungal and immune activity.
Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) standardized extract, 20 mg three times a day, for immune and antiviral activity.

You may use herbs as supportive therapies, but never use them alone to treat HIV or AIDS. Tell all of your health care providers about any treatments, conventional or alternative, you are taking so they can monitor interactions and side effects, and provide the best care.

Herbs you should avoid until more studies are done include St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), which has a negative effect on indinavir and could lead to developing resistance to the drug. You should also aovid echinacea (Echinacea spp.) and astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus). These two substances show conflicting evidence of enhancing immune function and strengthening replication of the HIV virus in test tubes.

Homeopathy

No specific scientific research supports the use of homeopathy for HIV or AIDS. A licensed, certified homeopathic doctor would evaluate you individually to assess the value of homeopathy for reduction of symptoms or side effects from medication as an adjunct to standard medical treatment.

Physical Medicine

Exercise is another way to help develop a general sense of well-being, improve mental attitude, decrease depression, diminish weight loss, and increase lean body mass. Resistance or weight training is particularly useful to increase strength and enhance lean body mass.

Acupuncture

People with HIV have used acupuncture to improve general well-being, alleviate symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, and night sweats, and to minimize side effects from medications, such as nausea. Some people also find relief from peripheral neuropathy, caused occasionally by certain medications used for HIV, reporting less pain, increased strength, and improved sensation.

In China, acupuncture and moxibustion (a heat treatment performed by the acupuncturist over points where the needles are placed) are the standard treatments for HIV-related diarrhea.

Acupuncture can also be used to treat the neuropathic (nerve) pain associated with certain HIV medications. Inserting needles bilaterally in the hand and foot points known as Baaxie and Bafeng, respectively, can lessen neuropathic pain.

Massage

Massage can relieve chronic muscle tension and stress, which may help the immune system.

Special Considerations

If you are HIV-positive and pregnant, taking certain antiretroviral medications will reduce the likelihood of you transmitting the virus to your baby. Your doctor will determine which medicine is best for you and safe for your baby. Depending on your own condition, you and your health care provider may decide to postpone treatment until after your first trimester to reduce the risk of birth defects. The drug efavirenz (Sustiva) should be avoided throughout pregnancy. If you are HIV-positive, you should not breastfeed because of the risk of transmission to your baby.

Supporting Research

Faintuch J, Soeters PB, Osmo HG. Nutritional and metabolic abnormalities in pre-AIDS HIV infection. Nutrition. 2006;22(6):683-90.

Harris A, Bolus NE. HIV/AIDS: An update. Radiol Technol. 2008;79(3):243-52.

Hendricks MK, Eley B, Bourne LT. Colecraft E. HIV/AIDS: nutritional implications and impact on human development. Proc Nutr Soc. 2008;67(1):109-13.

Highleyman L. Nutrition and HIV. BETA. 2006;18(2):18-32.

Hoppe C, Andersen GS, Jacobsen S, et al. The use of whey or skimmed milk powder in fortified blended foods for vulnerable groups. J Nutr. 2008;138(1):145S-161S.

Joy T, Keogh HM, Hadigan C, et al. Dietary fat intake and relationship to serum lipid levels in HIV-infected patients with metabolic abnormalities in the HAART era. AIDS. 2007;21(12):1591-600.

Liu JP, Manheimer E, Yang M. Herbal medicines for treating HIV infection and AIDS. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;(3):CD003937.

Suttajit M. Advances in nutrition support for quality of life in HIV+/AIDS. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007;16 Suppl 1:318-22.

Tabi M, Vogel RL. Nutritional counselling: an intervention for HIV-positive patients. J Adv Nurs. 2006;54(6):676-82.

Yeh SS, Lovitt S, Schuster MW. Pharmacological treatment of geriatric cachexia: evidence and safety in perspective. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2007;8(6):363-77.

Review Date:
2/25/2008
Reviewed By:
Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by Ernest B. Hawkins, MS, BSPharm, RPh, Health Education Resources.

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