The Aids virus is thought to have started in Africa and made it’s way to America in 1981. It was first noticed among the homosexual population and through shared contact like with needles it started to make it way through the heterosexual population as well. Scientists hope to discover more new drugs to help AIDS victims manage their disease better and perhaps even stem the flow of fatalities.

In U.S.A., AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death for those aged 25 through 44.

The AIDS virus can be passed from one person to another through various ways:

By having sexual contact that includes anal sex, oral sex, or vaginal sex.

By way of blood either through a blood transfusion (which is rare now in the U.S.A. because of precautions taken) or by sharing a needle, or being stuck by a needle accidentally (as in medical personnel)

A mother can pass on the Aids virus to her unborn baby because of the shared blood circulation in utero.

A mother can pass on AIDS virus through her breast milk.

It is rare for AIDS to be transmitted through artificial insemination (donor sperm) or organ transplants due to precautions taken, but it is possible.

You cannot contact the HIV virus merely by casually contact: hugging, touching the person in passing, or when playing alongside them in sports, or by being bit by a mosquito.

The following people are at highest risk for contracting the AIDS virus:

Those who engage in unprotected sex

Those who have multiple sexual partners

Those who participate in activities that are considered “high risk” such as having anal sex, sharing used needles with others.

Infants who are born to mothers who have the HIV virus and have not taken the HIV therapy during the pregnancy are at high risk.

Those people who may have received blood transfusions between 1977 and 1985. Also at high risk are those who received clotting products during those same years.

Someone who has been infected with the AIDS virus may not show any symptoms for up to 10 years and during that time be contagious and capable of passing the virus on to others. This is why it is so important to know who is in the high-risk group and how to protect yourself as much as possible from being exposed to the AIDS virus.

It has been shown that most people experience the following symptoms approximately two weeks from the initial exposure to aids and may or may not realize that what they are experiencing are actual AIDS symptoms:

Flu-like symptoms
Rash
Fever
Sore throat
Swollen lymph nodes

Most people contract the virus and then go on for up to ten years not knowing they have the AIDS virus and then start experience symptoms.

The major way to recognize “symptoms” is to watch out for reoccurring infections and infections that do not normally occur in those who are healthy (opportunistic infections).

Someone who has been infected by aids and not yet diagnosed may experience and seek medical treatment for:

Night sweats
Fever
Swollen glands
Chills
Feeling weak
Unexplained weight loss

Related posts:

1. A Closer Look At The Hiv Virus And Aids
2. Initial Signs And Symptoms Of Hiv And Aids
3. Ways Hiv And Aids Cannot Be Transmitted

HIV is a virus, much like the cold or flu virus. A virus will do nothing but make new viruses by reproducing itself in living cells. The HIV virus attacks the CD4 cells that help the immune system fight an infection. Once the HIV virus gets into a cell, millions more little viruses are produced and kills that cell. Then it goes out to find new cells to attack and kill. The drugs used to treat HIV and AIDS works by interfering with the multiplication of the virus cells.

When the immune system is severely damaged, any small infection can cause severe problems for an AIDS patient. If you are at risk for AIDS or have been diagnosed with the HIV virus, it is important to find a doctor that understands the disease and the toll it takes on each patient. Preferably you will find a doctor that will treat you with conventional methods of treatment and homeopathic treatments as well.

The doctor you choose will be on of the most important parts of your medical team. They should be someone you trust and are experienced in treating AIDS patients. An experienced and compassionate doctor can help you find resources in the community that can help you in your battle. You should take an active part in the decisions made about treatment for AIDS.

There will come a time when you may need emergency treatment. A person who is HIV positive or has AIDS should go to the hospital any time they develop a high fever. A fever signals there is something seriously wrong within the body. If an AIDS patient is coughing up blood, they should go to the emergency room immediately. Other signs of serious complications or illness are shortness of breath, severe stomach or chest pains, headaches, seizures, and a change in your mental condition. Dizziness, confusion, and seizures may point to a life-threatening condition. A trip to the emergency room is needed if you begin to have these serious complications.

If you are HIV positive or an AIDS patient, stay as healthy as possible and avoid being close to someone with even a minor infection. Medical problems that a healthy person can shake off may be life threatening to an AIDS patient. Eating healthy, resting, and exercise can help you remain strong enough to fight off minor infections. Any signs of a more dangerous medical problem should be looked into immediately. Know the signs of serious problems and have a plan in place to be sure you get to the emergency room as soon as possible.

Related posts:

1. Opportunistic Infections Which Attack AIDS Patients
2. Initial Signs And Symptoms Of Hiv And Aids
3. A Silver Lining In The Cloud Of Aids

First and foremost, you need to be as careful as you can when it comes to sexual activity. Most cases of HIV transmission occur due to irresponsible sexual behavior. When you are considering sexual activity with a partner, be sure that they can show you the results of an HIV test. You can’t be too careful, and no one is safe from the disease. Also, whenever you participate in an act of vaginal or anal sex, be sure to wear a condom. Condoms are the only proven method of blocking the transmission of the disease and they are therefore highly recommended when engaging in sexual practices with anyone.

Another thing that you need to know about is the risk that you face of contracting the HIV virus when you are using intravenous drugs. While they should be avoided at all costs, if you are a person who takes intravenous drugs, you need to ensure that you are using sterilized, new needles every time. While unprotected sex is the most common means of transmitting HIV, many fall victim to AIDS due to the sharing of needles for drug use.

If you have already become HIV positive, it is important to be able to recognize the symptoms in order to understand how far the disease has progressed. If you have recently had some unprotected sexual contact that you think may have caused you to be exposed to the HIV virus, you should definitely get a test done at the doctor’s office as soon as possible. Some of the symptoms that you may notice if you have recently become infected include a rapid amount of weight loss, flu-like symptoms, pneumonia, and a heavy sense of fatigue. Diarrhea that occurs for longer than a week may also denote a problem that may be caused by the HIV virus.

If you are already afflicted with the HIV virus, it is important to do all that you can possibly do in order to limit the progression of the disease. There are many different types of retroviral drugs that you may want to consider taking in order to limit the progression, and there are many lifestyle choices that you can make that can help you to keep your body safe from secondary infections that can really damage the health of an individual with AIDS. Knowledge is power, and many people have found that they are able to successfully live a fun and happy life with AIDS, it just takes hard work, dedication, and some effort on your part.

Related posts:

1. Living With Aids
2. Just How Effective Are Condoms As Protection Against Aids Transmission
3. Common Misconceptions About AIDS

One of the major health risks that an AIDS patient faces is cancer. Cancer survival rates are improving each year, but AIDS patients are much more at risk of dying of this disease. Kaposi’s sarcoma is a cancer that healthy people do not normally get this cancer. It is common to people who have tested positive for HIV. This disease shows itself as pink, red, or purple sores or lesions on the shin and mouth. Patients who already have dark skin, the lesions will appear black or dark brown. Kaposi’s sarcoma also will affect internal organs including the lungs and digestive system. Kaposi’s sarcoma is treated with various chemotherapy drugs and researchers are looking for new ways to give these drugs. Scientists have discovered the use of antiretrovirals can reduce the amount of Kaposi’s cancer in HIV and AIDS patients. It also has been proven to reduce the lesions in people who have already been diagnosed with this cancer.

NonHodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that originates in the white blood cells, is another common form of cancer that affects HIV and AIDS patients. Lymphocytes, which act as the director of the immune system to fight infections, are concentrated in bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, and the digestive tract. NonHodgkin’s lymphoma usually starts in the lymph nodes but can originate in other areas of the body. One of the first sign of this cancer is a noticeable swelling in the lymph nodes found in the neck, armpit, or groin.

Other serious complications for AIDS patients are Wasting Syndrome and other neurological complications. Scientists and researchers agree that Wasting Syndrome is a complication of AIDS. Aggressive treatment have considerably reduced the cases of Wasting Syndrome among AIDS patients, it can still affect many people with AIDS. Wasting Syndrome is classified as losing at least ten percent of their body weight. This is accompanied with chronic diarrhea, fever, and weakness.

Neurological complications can cause confusion, forgetfulness, and abrupt changes in their behavior, depression, and trouble walking. Dementia complex is one of the more common diseases that afflict AIDS patients. Dementia complex causes the person’s behavior to change and they have a decreased mental capacity. It can be treated with antiretroviral medications but it must be caught in the early stages.

There are so many complications that patients with AIDS will face. They can be vulnerable to many diseases that a healthy person could shake off easily. Because their white cells are being destroyed, they are unable to fight even the smallest infection and could be potentially life threatening.

Related posts:

1. Opportunistic Infections Which Attack AIDS Patients
2. What Treatment Is Available For Patients With Hiv Or Aids
3. Advanced Signs Of The Hiv Or Aids Virus

In 1989, antiretroviral medications have been proven to extend the life of AIDS patients. There is no known cure for AIDS, and many of the drugs used to extend life give the users severe side effects. And all the drugs are expensive and not available for the poorer AIDS population. This has been especially troublesome for the poorer countries of the world.

Another sad fact is that some AIDS patients who have been on medication for their disease for over 20 years are developing a resistance to the drugs that is supposed to prolong their life. When that happens, the body no longer responds to treatments for the disease. There are over 40,000 patients in the United States who have developed this drug resistance. A newer drug may help this group of people.

The newest drugs that are being used to treat patients with HIV are the antiretroviral medications. The United States Department of Health and Human Services has recently developed guidelines based on recommendations as HIV changes and scientists learn more.

Present guidelines stress helping the AIDS patient have the best quality of life possible. The goal for each individual is to find the strongest medication with the fewest side effects. Patients should take an active part in deciding what treatment is right for them. The patient and their doctor should discuss the treatment plan, evaluate the risks, and learn the benefits of all therapies before a decision is made. As with any other serious condition, education is the key to understanding the treatment plan you choose. Your decision should be an informed one and you should know that your treatment would be complex and long-term.

These antiretroviral drugs slow down the growth and reproduction of HIV in the cells of the body. There are five classes of these drugs and they include:
* Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors
* Protease inhibitors
* Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
* Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors
* Fusion inhibitors

It is important to know how these drugs work and what side effects they may have. Some will cause dizziness, lack of concentration, and sleeplessness. Most of these drugs will also cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and gas. The level of HIV in your blood measures the effects of the drugs. Those in treatment should be tested for viral load ever three to four months.

New treatments are in development and in clinical trials. Scientists and researchers believe that an AIDS vaccine will not be available soon. There is a new drug undergoing tests that may attack the HIV virus in its final stage and another drug under research that may stop the HIV from entering a cell. These may be available to some patients who have exhausted all other methods of treatments.

Related posts:

1. Explaining The Five Classes Of Antiretroviral Drugs For Aids Patients
2. What Treatment Is Available For Patients With Hiv Or Aids
3. Opportunistic Infections Which Attack AIDS Patients

Let’s look at what juicing is. When we take raw fruit and vegetables and create a liquid. By doing these we can preserve as many nutrients as possible that can be easily absorbed and utilized by the body. This is beneficial to everyone but especially to those that have trouble absorbing the proper amount of nutrients. These raw vegetables and fruits can provide plenty of energy, vitamins, fiber, and enzymes.

For the person with a damaged gut lining, where nutrient absorption has lessened, juiced food would be a great asset because it requires little to no real digestion. Yet it provides a concentration of nutrients that would not be available without eating large amounts of the actual vegetable product or fruit. And since we are getting the whole goodness of the fruit and/or vegetables we even get the enzymes in them which might helps us digest them even better.

Additionally juicing can help to cleanse the kidneys, the digestive tract, liver, and the whole gastrointestinal system of any toxins. And most people have a digestive system that isn’t as efficient as it should be, for an accumulation of reasons, which result in a more toxic system. The juice then can assist us with our healing process in more ways than one.

* gives us more concentrated nutrients
* is easily digestible
* helps to flush the system
* helps to remove toxins

Even people who have to take medications will further benefit because the juicing can help to flush out the toxic by product of the drugs.

Also, if vitamin supplementation is needed then considering a glass of raw juice might be one of the best things you can do. It is probably one of the best sources of a multivitamin or mineral supplement that you could try.

Here are some tips on juicing:
When you take a glass of this concentrated juice made of vegetables keep in mind it is like a meal. Keep track of your daily needs and how many you have actually put into the juicer. You might want to make adjustments as you go to insure that your body accepts the juice without stress. Because after all, you can’t eat as many vegetables raw as you can after you have juiced them.

You should probably consider the following when you attempt to juice for your health.

* Don’t eat a solid meal at the same time as you juice
* make the juice a snack or a meal
* drink the juice slowly so it can process in your system easier
* Wait about 1 hour before eating a regular food or until you feel hungry
* If you have eaten recently do not juice but wait until your stomach is empty
* avoid mixing fruits with vegetables in your juiced drink
Further information to consider on juicing as it relates to the effects on the body are:
* Apricots and prunes are used a laxatives
* Bananas are known to slow diarrhea

For some people who live with HIV having a juice with grapefruit can affect how much protease inhibitor is in the blood so use with caution.

So, if you want to add some extra kick or maybe just give you the chance to even get proper nutrition, do some checking into juicing. As a person who has HIV or aids you could greatly benefit from the concentrated nutrients provided in a highly digestible form. And by providing this to your body it will most likely be able to mount a better immune response against the HIV infection.

Related posts:

1. Helpful Dietary Information To Assist With Alcoholism Withdrawl
2. An Alphabet
3. The Real Truth Behind Food And Drink Hangover Remedies

Once your body is invaded with the HIV or AIDS virus, your immune system is under attack. Even though you may not be having any symptoms, you can still pass the disease on to another person. Meanwhile, even if you are symptom free, your cells that coordinate your immune system are slowly being destroyed. You can remain this way for as many as ten years but during that time you will begin it experience more frequent infections as your immune cells are destroyed. You may experience chronic symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, shortness of breath, cough, fever, and unexplained weight loss.

More serious symptoms develop ten or more years after the first infection. These symptoms signal the patient has developed AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention redefined AIDS to mean the presence of HIV infection or by a positive HIV-antibody test and at least one other symptom.
* If your CD4 lymphocyte count is below 200 this is considered AIDS
* If you get an infection you normally would only get because your immune system is impaired
Once AIDS has developed you will begin showing more serious signs that your immune system has been seriously damaged. You may wake up with night sweats, have the chills but have a fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit for several weeks, or you may have a dry cough and shortness of breath. If you have white spots on your skin or unusual sores on your tongue or in your mouth, it is a sign of the development of AIDS. You may experience blurred vision, headaches and unexplained weight loss.

As the disease progresses through your body, these symptoms will get much worse. You are also at risk for developing some cancers such as cervical cancer, lymphoma, and Kaposi’s sarcoma. Newer and improved treatments have reduced the risk of dying of these cancer’s but it is considered a serious complication if you should develop one of them.

The symptoms in children with HIV are:

* Failure to gain weight
* Failure to grow normally
* At risk for the common infections that affect adults
* Severe cases of ordinary children’s diseases including pneumonia, ear infections, and tonsillitis

Children who are born with the HIV virus are diagnosed at an early age and treatments can begin immediately. Children in underdeveloped areas of the world are often orphans as well as born with HIV. Many times their mother and father has already died of the effects of the disease. If they are alive, many times they are too sick to take care of a child with the HIV virus.

Related posts:

1. Advanced Signs Of The Hiv Or Aids Virus
2. Opportunistic Infections Which Attack AIDS Patients
3. The Effect Of Aids On The Nervous System

So what would a person with HIV need to have a higher concentrated quality to their diet? Furthermore what does higher quality diet mean? Simply put a high quality diet consists of low fat lean protein combined legumes, fruits, whole grains, and vegetables. Since these foods have a dense nutrient value you will receive much more nutrition and provide better conditions for health and well being. There is a need for vitamins, minerals and supplements that boost the immune system and enough quality water to alleviate and combat the battle with dehydration.

Let’s briefly look at a major component of our body and of the primary things in the body to be degraded by the ravages of HIV infections and the resulting malnutrition. That component is protein. The body’s organs, muscles, and many other substances that help to make up a persons immune system are supported by building blocks of protein. Now if you don’t get enough protein or calories for that matter in your diet via the food you take in then the body finds it somewhere else. Do you know where that is? Your right! The body uses its own muscles for protein, for the fuel it has not received. Hence, the immune system will suffer and the body will weaken. Let’s look at what might be in a quality nutrient rich diet.

Keep in mind that a person needs a variety of foods. Since no food is “an everything a person needs food”, you will need to choose from a variety of sources.

Some ideas to use as a guideline and some sources are as follows:

- Lean protein such as:
* fish, very very lean pieces of beef or pork, skinless chicken white meat, and dairy products that are low in fat
* Eat a couple servings, at least, of legumes, nuts and seeds everyday
* Try to eat whole grains that will give you carbohydrates being sure that 50% of your carbohydrates come from this category.
* choose from the colors of the rainbow with fruit and vegetables. In other words eat from as many of the color groups as possible everyday. This amounts to 3-4 cups.

Now even if you are just having a snack, make sure you eat some fat but just a little, protein and something with some carbohydrates.

Do be sure to eat snacks between meals and do it without fail. Ideal foods for snacking might be:
* yogurt
* carrots
* seeds
* nuts
* fruit

Aside from the snacking make sure you eat three quality meals a day. Aside from food intake, drink a lot of pure clean drinking water. Make sure to drink at least 8 cups a day. Increase that as much as possible to overcome the adverse reactions associated with vomiting, fever, or diarrhea… Another note on diarrhea would be to eat bananas for fiber if you are having this problem. Reduce the intake of any unrefined cereals or grains to help alleviate the diarrhea.
You might want to consider taking nutritional supplements daily in the form of an RDA 100% value multivitamin and mineral but avoid extra iron. If you find that weight loss is still occurring talk to your doctor and check the possibility of adding a nutritional support drink in your battle to maintain a high quality nutrient rich diet. By taking into consideration the information here in the battle against HIV malnutrition the person with HIV will be much better equipped to support their body’s battle.

Related posts:

1. Dietary Decisions For An Ms Way Of Life
2. Malnutrition And Hiv
3. Helpful Dietary Information To Assist With Alcoholism Withdrawl

Persons who have AIDS can benefit from exercising because it improves:

Muscle mass

Improves your strength and your endurance.

Improves heart and lung function

Feel less tired because of improved energy level

Can reduce your stress level

Gives you a feeling of well-being

Improves CD4 cell counts

Improves your bone strength

Helps with your cholesterol levels

Decreases the amount of abdominal fat

Can improve your appetite

You will sleep better

Blood sugar (glucose) level regulates better

Aids patients need to be careful when they exercise because they can become dehydrated

AIDS can make you heal slower so injuries will take longer to repair

Tips to exercise safely when you have AIDS:
Be careful not to overdo exercising. Moderation is the key. Take it slow and easy. Consistency is what is important.

Fatigue will likely play an important role in your exercise program. You will feel tired quicker than those who do not have AIDS.

Exercising can help you delay symptoms if you are still “healthy”, so don’t delay in starting your exercise program.

Change little things about your exercise routine. Mix it up a little so that you won’t get bored.

Injuries happen when you push yourself too much or try to go at a faster pace than you are used to.

Water is very important when you are exercising. Water keeps you hydrated and replaces he water you lose while exercising. Drinking caffeinated drinks like coffee, colas, chocolate, tea, and even alcohol can make you lose body fluid instead of replenishing it.

Food and exercise do not mix. It is best to wait approximately 2 hours after eating a lot of food or a complete meal before exercising. After exercising you should wait at least an hour before eating. When you exercise you use up calories that you need to replace by eating properly so you do not lose weight.

You will find that you exercise more often; if you choose exercise programs that include activities you enjoy doing.

Competitive sporting events are fine to participate in as long as your body is fit enough to withstand the rigors of the particular sport you choose. As a team player you cannot spread the AIDS virus just by normal touching that goes on during sports activities. You will need to take precautions if you should become injured and bleeding is involved. You should immediately control and cover the bleeding area. Once the bleeding is covered and you feel well enough to, you can return to the game.

Related posts:

1. Opportunistic Infections Which Attack AIDS Patients
2. A Silver Lining In The Cloud Of Aids
3. Treating Serious Illnesses In An Aids Patient

Your first step to managing your disease is to learn as much as you can about it. Your doctor or health care provider can answer some of your questions and give you information during your office visit. Your doctor can also direct you to other resources: Websites, organizations, books, groups, and your local health department. Be sure that if you look around on your own for information that you check to see where the information is coming from; what source was used to gather the information – is it accurate? Let the medical team treating you know what you are reading or viewing and they can validate if the information is reliable. You do not want to waste your time on inaccurate information.

You will be seeing your doctor or health care provider (depending on your medical coverage) on a regular basis. You will need to have regular blood tests drawn that will monitor the progress of your disease. These tests are called: the viral load test and the CD4 cell (used to be called t4). The viral load test tells your medical team the amount of HIV in your blood. The lower the levels in your bloodstream the better. The medical professionals will use this data to determine when it is the right time to start you on antiretroviral medications (ARVs). Blood tests also tell them when the medications they are giving you are working and when to change medications.

The CD4 cell test is used to find out how strong your immune system is and how many white blood cells you have. The white blood cells are the fighting armies of your blood steam that fights off invading infections. You may hear different names for this particular kind of white blood cells (T-4, T-cell or T-helper cells). When your test reveals that your CD4 count is low than that means that your body is ripe for the development of what is called a “opportunistic infection”. Your doctor will use this test to decide when to start using ARVs or other medications that will help prevent opportunistic infections. You and your doctor will decide based on the test results how often to repeat these tests and when to start medications. If the CD4 cell count is high and stays that way and your viral load test stays low then treatment may be delayed. Blood tests will continue approximately every 3 to 6 months and your levels monitored closely.

Related posts:

1. Testing For The Hiv And Aids Virus
2. Diagnostic Tests For Alcohol Use
3. Treatment And Treatment Guidelines For Aids Patients