HIV has been found in saliva, tears, nervous system tissue and spinal fluid, blood, semen (including pre-seminal fluid, which is the liquid that comes out before ejaculation), vaginal fluid, and breast milk. However, only blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk generally transmit infection to others. Important facts about the spread of AIDS include: • AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death . • The World Health Organization estimates that more than 25 million people worldwide have died from this infection since the start of the epidemic • In 2008, there were approximately 33.4 million people around the world living with HIV/AIDS, including 2.1 million children under age 15. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. The virus attacks the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening infections and cancers. HIV has been found in saliva, tears, nervous system tissue and spinal fluid, blood, semen (including pre-seminal fluid, which is the liquid that comes out before ejaculation), vaginal fluid, and breast milk. However, only blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk generally transmit infection to others. The virus can be spread (transmitted): • Through sexual contact -- including oral, vaginal, and anal sex • Through blood -- via blood transfusions or needle sharing • From mother to child -- a pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her fetus through their shared blood circulation, or a nursing mother can transmit it to her baby in her breast milk Other methods of spreading the virus are rare and include accidental needle injury, artificial insemination with infected donated semen, and organ transplantation with infected organs. HIV infection is NOT spread by: • Casual contact such as hugging • Mosquitoes • Participation in sports • Touching items previously touched by a person infected with the virus AIDS and blood or organ donation: • AIDS is NOT transmitted to a person who DONATES blood or organs. Those who donate organs are never in direct contact with those who receive them. • However, HIV can be transmitted to a person RECEIVING blood or organs from an infected donor. To reduce this risk, blood banks and organ donor programs screen donors, blood, and tissues thoroughly. People at highest risk for getting HIV include: • Injection drug users who share needles • Infants born to mothers with HIV who didn't receive HIV therapy during pregnancy • People engaging in unprotected sex, especially with people who have other high-risk behaviors, are HIV-positive, or have AIDS • People who received blood transfusions or clotting products between 1977 and 1985 (before screening for the virus became standard practice) • Sexual partners of those who participate in high-risk activities (such as injection drug use or anal sex)
The following are some of the symptoms of Aids: AIDS may have no symptoms for 10 years or longer, but they can still transmit the infection to others during this symptom-free period. If the infection is not detected and treated, the immune system gradually weakens and AIDS develops. Acute HIV infection progresses over time (usually a few weeks to months) to asymptomatic HIV infection (no symptoms) and then to early symptomatic HIV infection. Later, it progresses to AIDS (advanced HIV infection with CD4 T-cell count below 200 cells/mm3 ). Almost all people infected with HIV, if not treated, will develop AIDS. There is a small group of patients who develop AIDS very slowly, or never at all. These patients are called nonprogressors, and many seem to have a genetic difference that prevents the virus from damaging their immune system. People with AIDS have had their immune system damaged by HIV and are very susceptible to these opportunistic infections. Common symptoms are: • Chills • Fevers • Sweats (particularly at night) • Swollen lymph glands • Weakness • Weight loss Homeopathy: Since homeopathy boosts immunity ( in constitutional treatment ),it works beneficial in these cases. Some of the cases have found to show increase CD4 count. People who are already on anti retroviral and having crisis or its side effects homeopathy works conjointly to reduce down the bad effects of drug. Homeopathy have shown its role in minimizing opportunistic infections , managing complications and keeping patient’s status of living healthy.
Antiretroviral therapy suppresses the replication of the HIV virus in the body. A combination of several antiretroviral drugs, called highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), has been very effective in reducing the number of HIV particles in the bloodstream. This is measured by the viral load (how much virus is found in the blood). Preventing the virus from replicating can improve T-cell counts and help the immune system recover from the HIV infection. HAART is not a cure for HIV, but it has been very effective for the past 12 years. People on HAART with suppressed levels of HIV can still transmit the virus to others through sex or by sharing needles. However, HIV may become resistant to HAART When HIV becomes resistant to HAART, other drug combinations must be used to try to suppress the resistant strain of HIV. There are a variety of new drugs on the market for treating drug-resistant HIV Treatment with HAART has complications. HAART is a collection of different medications, each with its own side effects. Some common side effects are: • Collection of fat on the back ("buffalo hump") and abdomen • General sick feeling (malaise) • Headache • Nausea • Weakness When used for a long time, these medications increase the risk of heart attack, perhaps by increasing the levels of fat and glucose (sugar) in the blood. Homeopathy: Since homeopathy boosts immunity ( in constitutional treatment ),it works beneficial in these cases. Some of the cases have found to show increase CD4 count. People who are already on anti retroviral and having crisis or its side effects homeopathy works conjointly to reduce down the bad effects of drug. Homeopathy have shown its role in minimizing opportunistic infections , managing complications and keeping patient’s status of living healthy
