Sunday, July 31, 2011

fundamental to combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic

fundamental to combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic, outlining further that the aim of the World AIDS Day was to bring people’s attention to the worldwide challenges and consequences of the epidemic in order to bring about attitudinal change.

YAM’s vice chairperson Amadou O. Bah said the objective of his organization is to empower young people through the acquisition of sexual reproductive health information, education and services as a means of promoting positive attitudinal change. He expressed YAM’s willingness to share expertise and experience with young people in the forefront of the crusade to help victims deal with their condition and prevent the disease from gaining a foothold in local Gambian communities.

Aja Bintou Njie, the secretary of the Girambenora Support Society recognized the importance of commemorating the day particularly in The Gambia, where those stigmatized as a result of their health status face the prospect of exclusion by the rest of society. She admonished Gambians to conduct regular visits to health centers to test their blood or seek the company of those afflicted with HIV/AIDS and demonstrate to the victims their love for them despite their sordid health situation.

The CEO of the Sulayman Junkung Jammeh General Hospital who was guest speaker said HIV/AIDS victims deserve to live free from the pangs of stigmatization and open discrimination from the rest of the population.

Kebba Badjie described the HIV/AIDS pandemic as not only a health challenge, but also as a profound social, cultural and economic nemesis dangerous not only to victims but also to those whose lives revolve around those infected. He underscored the importance of universal access to care by HIV/AIDS victims without discrimination.

Participants at a World AIDS Day

Participants at a World AIDS Day parade in Bwiam have been told that HIV/AIDS is a human rights issue which should be recognized as such by both victims of the disease and those who are not infected.

The Gambia Family Planning Association (GFPA) in collaboration with the Youth Action Movement (YAM) recently commemorated World AIDS Day in Bwiam, Foni Kansala district, West Coast Region. The commemoration was in the form of a march pass by school children, Kanyeleng groups, voluntary organizations and youth groups. The parade took them from the Sulayman Junkung Jammeh General Hospital to the Gambia Family Planning Branch.

With “Universal Access and Human Right” as theme of the occasion, the West Coast’s regional AIDS coordinator impressed upon participants that the human rights of victims is an issue which should not be relegated to the position of secondary issues which end up clouding people’s perception and judgment of the AIDS situation.

Kebba Johm said observing the day was necessary to show to those infected with the disease and those safe from it that people’s rights irrespective of their health status must be seen as inalienable by all and sundry.

Johm noted that this year’s theme has been chosen to cast minds back to the critical need to protect the human rights of victims and ensure access to HIV prevention and treatment, care and support

International donors help Malawians affected by HIV/AIDS

International donors help Malawians affected by HIV/AIDS



Malawi’s government is teaming up with international organizations and faith-based groups to help people affected by HIV/AIDS.

The IMPACT programme is a four-year, $13 million USAID-supported project being implemented by international NGOs, as well as local Catholic health commissions. The programme aims to improve the wellbeing of over 58,000 orphans and vulnerable children, and improve access to treatment and care for over 41,500 people living with HIV.

“Malawi has a fairly substantial HIV epidemic,” says Antonia Powell, Deputy Chief of Party for the IMPACT programme with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). “The prevalence amongst adults aged 15-49 is 12% -- so it’s quite a high prevalence.”

CRS and alliance partners are matching the USAID funding for the programme, and have so far given an additional $14 million in cash and support.

“We started in late June, early July, so we’re definitely still in our infancy as a programme,” Powell told Vatican Radio. “The one activity that we’ve been able to make substantial progress on is the enrolment of over 800 children for secondary-school support.”

International donors help Malawians affected by HIV/AIDS

International donors help Malawians affected by HIV/AIDS



Malawi’s government is teaming up with international organizations and faith-based groups to help people affected by HIV/AIDS.

The IMPACT programme is a four-year, $13 million USAID-supported project being implemented by international NGOs, as well as local Catholic health commissions. The programme aims to improve the wellbeing of over 58,000 orphans and vulnerable children, and improve access to treatment and care for over 41,500 people living with HIV.

“Malawi has a fairly substantial HIV epidemic,” says Antonia Powell, Deputy Chief of Party for the IMPACT programme with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). “The prevalence amongst adults aged 15-49 is 12% -- so it’s quite a high prevalence.”

CRS and alliance partners are matching the USAID funding for the programme, and have so far given an additional $14 million in cash and support.

“We started in late June, early July, so we’re definitely still in our infancy as a programme,” Powell told Vatican Radio. “The one activity that we’ve been able to make substantial progress on is the enrolment of over 800 children for secondary-school support.”

Communications gaps

Communications gaps

UNAIDS recently co-sponsored a panel discussion on HIV/AIDS and disability in New York, sandwiched between World AIDS Day and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities - commemorative events that are usually kept separate, UNAIDS's Timpo said.

Disability will receive an even higher profile at the International AIDS Society conference in Washington D.C. in 2012, predicted Steve Estey, chair of the International Committee of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.

The acceleration of inclusion has been "quite astonishing" since 2006, noted Estey, when "we were nowhere".

At the panel discussion in New York, though, questions circled around the communication gaps that have existed between the two communities for years, and why it has taken UN agencies so long to take action.

Eric Sawyer, civil society adviser to UNAIDS, said it was partly a function of working to scale-up basic services first.

"The UN system has been struggling just to get prevention messaging and treatment access available and accessible around the world," Sawyer said. "Once you are able to ensure people have that access, then you are able to increase the level of services. But of course we are working to ensure that the disabled have equal access and that is increasingly finding a place in people's consciousness."

nitiatives

nitiatives

UNAIDS is now picking up the pieces, nearly seven years later, and is planning to investigate ongoing initiatives that link AIDS and disability, and what kind of engagement there has been with persons living with disabilities.

It is a start that will eventually lead to in-depth analysis of these connections, said Emilio Timpo, senior adviser to UNAIDS, and on programming specific to disabled persons.

Other UN agencies, like UNICEF, have also begun to focus more on the connections between HIV/AIDS and disability at the country level, said Ken Legins, HIV/AIDS chief at the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

UNICEF's Burkina Faso office recently conducted a study on HIV among people with disabilities aged 15-64, which revealed they were much more likely to be illiterate and out of school, and with limited access to information about HIV. They tended to have low incomes and their subjection to sexual abuse made them more likely to be forced into risky sex behaviours.

''When discussing HIV, disability gets left out because the group of people who work on these issues are often not a part of the discussion and we need to make sure that they are''
"The challenge is that the HIV community itself is not well connected with people who are advocates for disability at the country level," Legins told IRIN/PlusNews. "When discussing HIV, disability gets left out because the group of people who work on these issues are often not a part of the discussion and we need to make sure that they are."

Disability and HIV/AIDS were prominently featured in the main programme for the first time in an International AIDS Conference this past July, in Vienna, marking a sharp turn from the previous conference in Mexico City in 2008, said Donovan of AIDS Free World. The conference venue was not accommodating to disabled people and disability was sidelined to a satellite event, she said.

HIV/AIDS: Disability, HIV find common ground

HIV/AIDS: Disability, HIV find common ground

Photo: Sven Torfinn/IRIN
People with diabilities face the same HIV risks as the general population, but are often missing from HIV programmes
NEW YORK, 21 December 2010 (PlusNews) - People living with disabilities are known to be just as, if not more, at risk of contracting HIV as non-disabled people, but there is little specific data or programming that reflects this reality on a global scale.

That is slowly starting to change, say HIV/AIDS and disability civil society leaders, as well as UN agency health officials, as connections between the divergent groups are growing stronger and the urgent need to address this gap is being made increasingly clear after years of internal stalled progress.

"There's just a real dearth of data," said Paula Donovan, co-director of AIDS Free World, an international HIV/AIDS advocacy organization based in New York. "If a country said, 'We don't have data on disability and HIV/AIDS', then that in itself is data, but we don't see that, even. The actual activity, the expression of will, is sporadic."

More than 600 million people - 10 percent of the global population - live with disabilities, and 80 percent of them live in developing countries. This population often struggles to gain access to sex education and health services, including HIV prevention and education materials.

Yet people with disabilities engage in the same sexual behaviours that the general population does, according to a landmark 2004 Yale University/World Bank report entitled HIV/AIDS and Individuals with Disability. Additionally, women with disabilities are more vulnerable to sexual exploitation and rape than non-disabled women.

Eighty-seven percent of disability advocates, programmes and institutions from 57 countries consider HIV/AIDS "of immediate concern" to the disabled populations they serve, the report showed.

But indications that speak to the impact HIV/AIDS has on the disabled community on a global scale largely stop there.

Along with other countries Saudi Arabia is observing World AIDS Day on Tuesday.

Along with other countries Saudi Arabia is observing World AIDS Day on Tuesday.

“The Saudi Charitable Society for AIDS is launching six projects to help AIDS patients in the Kingdom,” Dr. Sana Felemban, chairperson of the first official society in Saudi Arabia for the care of AIDS patients, told Arab News on Monday.

The society was established in Jeddah a few months ago.

“‘Universal Access and Human Rights’ in line with the Human Rights charter stipulating the right for every one to live, be free and be safe is the theme of this year’s AIDS day,” Felemban said.

She said the number of AIDS patients in the Kingdom was falling but did not provide statistics. According to the latest information the number of people who tested HIV positive was 13,926 at the end of last year.

Felemban said while 50 percent of the patients were found in Makkah province, only 3,538 patients were Saudis and the remaining were expatriates and overstayers. The study also said the ratio between men and women stood at 5:1. The youth were the most affected section among the patients.

Felemban stressed the need to improve awareness campaigns among the young people.

“The society plans to implement a six point program to counter the spread of the disease and alleviate the suffering of the sick. The program will focus on educating people about the disease, providing support or sponsoring affected families, job training for the sick and their families so that they can have a decent living. The program will also stress the need for offering psychological and social support to the patients and conducting research studies on social issues that lead to the spread of the disease and the ways to rectify them,” she said.

The society’s objectives include spreading public awareness about the disease in society and providing health services to those affected. The society also aims to establish organizations that will strive to achieve integration of the sick people into Saudi society, she said.

Celebrating life on World AIDS Day

Celebrating life on World AIDS Day

Written By: ameilia on December 2, 2010 0

The United States consulate here has gathered together the work of a number of budding young artists who created posters reflecting the theme “Celebrate Life” as part of activities on World Aids Day, which takes place every year on Dec. 1.

This is part of the worldwide President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), according to an official of the Information Resource Center (IRC) at the US consulate Wednesday.

“PEPFAR is the largest commitment in history by any nation to combat a single disease,” said the officer. The work of the young artists can be seen in a photo gallery posted by Sara Lichterman, added the officer.

In an audio message, Ambassador Dr. Eric Goosby said, “World AIDS Day is both a day of remembrance and a day of celebration. We must all keep in our thoughts those who have lost their lives to AIDS. It’s in their honor that we work everyday to provide HIV prevention, treatment and care to millions across the globe.”

US President Barack Obama also released a statement, carried by various media. “The national strategy is similar to the Global Health Initiative, which is aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS and other diseases.”

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Other issues discussed were the inclusion of the prevention of AIDS

Other issues discussed were the inclusion of the prevention of AIDS among the initiatives available to confront violence and the strategies adopted among populations, she added.

Dr. Al-Shoumer noted that the participants will be visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia “to have a closer look on the modern treatment techniques and be briefed on the applications and the initiatives to prevent the HIV/AIDS and spread awareness among societies,” and acknowledge the plans and strategies being adopted, in addition to the national programs for the prevention of AIDS.

Dr. Al-Shoumer stressed the importance of such conferences, especially that this virus is wide spread worldwide, despite the fact that the infection rate in Kuwait is “very low.” This conference is important as it focuses on the prevention and the awareness which we need not only in Kuwait but all over the world,” she affirmed.

She called for intensifying “our efforts to spread awareness on this virus, ” especially as we mark World AIDS Day, December 1.

Dr. Al-Shoumer said that World AIDS Day must come as a reminder that every one of us must do more to fight the spread of AIDs and HIV, especially that millions of people worldwide are living with the pandemic.
She expressed hope that in Kuwait “we establish, soon, centers for the Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV,” known as the VCT, which are present all over the world, “including in GCC states as it is an important step in the prevention process” to be able to have an early diagnosis of AIDS. She stressed respect of anonymity of the clients until they are tested positive as a must with any such institution.

Dr. Al-Shoumer noted that Kuwait is one of the first countries to adopt a law on the prevention of AIDS in 1992, which contains many important articles, such as “AIDS patients are granted all their rights, where the most important right is complete confidentiality,” and in Kuwait, we fully respect and protect this right of theirs.

According to the latest figures 773 HIV/AIDS

According to the latest figures 773 HIV/AIDS uwait MOH Official Dr. Hind Al-Shoumer affirmed here late Thursday that the AIDS virus continues to widely spread all over the world and more efforts should be exerted for its prevention and to spread more awareness, especially as World AIDS Day will be celebrated soon.

This came in a statement to KUNA by head of AIDS, Statistics, and Information Office at the Public Health Department in the Kuwait Ministry of Health Dr. Hind Al-Shoumer, who is taking part in the HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention international conference, who is the only Arab participant.
Speaking to KUNA, Dr. Al-Shoumer said that her participation in the conference comes in response to an invitation from the US Ambassador to Kuwait Deborah Jones.
She indicated that the conference, which is organized by the US, is attended by officials in charge of national programs to combat AIDS, as well as experts and specialists from all over the world who are specialized in this field.

The conference is considered an opportunity to exchange expertise and shed light on the experiences of countries in combating and preventing this disease, in addition to the treatments being given to patients,” she affirmed.

Several topics, she indicated, are being discussed during the conference, such as the “latest researches and studies, including the clinical tests of the AIDS vaccine,” as well as the legal aspects and the connection between the programs and human rights understandings and the equality between the genders regarding access to treatment and prevention.

According to the latest figures 773 HIV/AIDS

According to the latest figures 773 HIV/AIDS cases have been registered in the Kingdom since 1986, 227 of the Jordanians.

Of the total cases among Jordanians, 176 are males and 172 contracted the disease abroad.

Ninety of the patients have died, while the rest are receiving free-of-charge treatment from the Ministry of Health that costs the government JD250 per month for each case.

Foreigners infected with HIV/AIDS who are married to Jordanian women now receive free medication as well.

“The decision was taken in order to prevent the disintegration of families,” Hijjawi told The Jordan Times in a previous statement adding that these foreigners, whose marriages do not entitle them to Jordanian nationality, will not be sent back to their home country and can stay in the Kingdom.

Other foreigners who are infected with HIV/AIDS are sent back to their home countries for treatment, in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) agreements.

Since the beginning of the year, 43 HIV/AIDS cases were discovered, with 10 of them among Jordanians. Last year, 69 people tested positive for HIV/AIDS in Jordan, with Jordanians accounting for 14 of the confirmed cases.

he Kingdom will mark World AIDS day

he Kingdom will mark World AIDS day in Zarqa today with an event to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

This year’s day, under the theme “Universal Access and Human Rights”, is being marked in Zarqa because it is the country’s cultural city for this year, according to Bassam Hijjawi, director of the ministry’s primary health directorate.

“Each year we select the cultural city to hold our awareness campaign so that all governorates will have their share of education on the issue,” he explained.

Hijjawi also revealed that the Ministry of Health, in cooperation with other concerned parties, will draft a five-year strategy to combat AIDS.

“The strategy will focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV as there are 18 children diagnosed with the disease in Jordan,” he said, adding that five of them are under five years old.

Noting that Jordan is a country with low prevalence of the disease, Hijjawi said it is important to educate the public on the means of transmission in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

In this context, as part of the task to comprehensively

In this context, as part of the task to comprehensively and effectively address the concept of HIV/Aids in the Sultanate, the ministry established the 2009-2010 Let’s Talk Aids campaign to encourage people to talk about the disease.

As a result of this two years’ drive, people have slowly adapted the habit to talk and learn about HIV. The drive has also encouraged people living with HIV to seek medical care and those at risk of the infection to seek test.

The campaign is part of the current 2008-2011 National Response Strategy for HIV/Aids drive to prevent the prevalence of new cases and to enhance awareness with emphasis on enlightening the public about the negative health, social and economic consequences caused by this preventable disease.

The event has been organised by the MoH and the National Committee for Preparation and Development of Health Education and Co-ordination of the World Health Day drive — HIV campaign.

In observation of the World Aids Day (WAD),

In observation of the World Aids Day (WAD), a series of activities to enhance awareness about HIV commenced with a walkathon starting from the InterContinental Hotel to Qurum Natural Park yesterday. Dr Rasheed bin Safi al Huraibi, Secretary-General for National Committee for Human Rights, presided over the launch of a chain of events including an exhibition of health education activities at the Qurum Natural Park.

The programme of this annual event that is observed in December includes skill bicycle show, free style, quiz contests for children and adults alike, painting, theatre stage, documentary film, folklore performance and children’s games among many other attractions.

The two-day exhibition that concludes today is aimed at enhancing awareness about this disease with emphasis on supporting people living with HIV with their rights by preventing stigma and discrimination against them.

The occasion that has been held under the WAD’s theme — I Live my Rights, I Respect other People’s Rights, stresses on provision of access for all to HIV prevention, treatment and care as a critical part of human rights, said Dr Ali bin Ahmed Salim Ba Omar, Head of HIV/Aids Section, Ministry of Health (MoH).

Likewise, as part of this year’s central concern for a comprehensive HIV response, the global community will focus attention on protecting human rights of all people affected by HIV and those vulnerable to the disease, he stated.

A one-day constituency level convention on HIV/AIDS

A one-day constituency level convention on HIV/AIDS was held today at the Wangbal community hall in Khangabok AC organized by the Manipur Legislators’ Forum on HIV/AIDS (MLFA) this afternoon.

Speaking during the convention, the chief guest of the convention state chief minister O Ibobi Singh stated that according to information from the concerned authorities those affected by HIV/AIDS till August 2010 were 36,372 in total and 9733 among them are female while 1800 are children. The remaining are male patients. There are also six centres for ART and altogether 17,253 patients are getting the ART treatment, he said adding that only 341 patients had admitted that they were living in an affected state.

The chief minister further said that among the multiple problems in the state the AIDS infection was also one of the major problems and 60 MLAs from the various constituencies in the state were utilizing Rs. 1 lakh each from the Local Area Funds of their constituency and the amount was being used for the constituencies one after the other. The campaign is to be taken up in all the 60 constituency and till now five have been covered, he said while informing that the campaign is targeted to conclude by 2011 March 31.

Manipur is placed 6th in the list of infected states in the country and it is a matter of great disappointment, the chief minister said while stating that this was contrary to the reputation the state had as a top cultural and sporting state of the country. The state government would be taking steps to ensure that sections of the population like widows who are infected by the virus do not take to the wrong path and spread the disease among others, he said.

Rehabilitation and reformation centres are being opened in each district to cater to the needs of those who are in some way affected by the disease, he said. It was not only the NGOs and other such bodies which were fighting this menace, but even the legislators were now aware of the problem and were doing their best to stop the spread of this disease in the state, the chief minister said while appealing to the general public also to take part in any programmes related with the fight against the disease.

The chief minister also appreciated the role being taken by the various NGOs working against the disease during the function today.

The convention was made more meaningful by the presentations by the resource persons including the Project Director of the MACS PK Jha, and Medical Superintendent of the JNIMS Dr. Priyokumar.

S Thoibi, an HIV infected woman who is also the Joint Secretary of the NPM narrated her experience with the deadly disease which was transferred to her from her late husband. She said her children were fortunately not infected by the virus.

The convention was also attended by E Dwijamani, Chairman of the MPCB, I Ibohalbi, MLA Oinam, Dr. Ng Bijoy, MLA Khurai, Y Surchandra MLA Kakching, M Okendro, MLA Heirok, M Hemanta, MLA Wangjing-Tentha, O Landhoni, MLA Khangabok, K Meghachandra, MLA Wangkhem, U Deven, MLA Wabagai, and Ak Mirabai, Chairperson of the Manipur State Women’s Development Corporation.

The menace of HIV/AIDS in the state can

The menace of HIV/AIDS in the state can be tackled effectively only when the problems of stigma and discrimination are overcome by the people, said deputy speaker Th. Lokeshore during a convocation programme of children living with HIV/AIDS today at the conference hall of Hotel Imphal, North AOC, Imphal.

The convocation programme was organized by Manipur NGOs response on child rights in view of uplifting the social status of children living with HIV/AIDS (CLHAs).

Lokeshore further stated that the CLHAs have acquired the virus unknowingly from their birth and they should not be ill-treated by the general public. They are like other children who are playful and innocent in nature.

The Manipur Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS will also extend possible help and assistance to the NGOs working for the CLHAs, he said.

The function was also attended by MLA Dr. I. Ibohanbi, MLA Dr. Kh. Ratankumar and Dr. Ng. Bijoy.

Meanwhile, one day constituency level behaviour change and communication on HIV/AIDS was also organized by Manipur Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS today at Dharmalaya Social Welfare Club, Brahmapur Nahabam, Imphal.

The function was graced by deputy speaker Th. Lokeshore, MLA E. Suraj and MLA Dr. I. Ibohanbi as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, E. Suraj stated that the people of the state especially the youths should join hands to put forward the campaign for making Manipur an AIDS-free state.

He also announced to set up one unit at Yaiskul assembly constituency for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and drugs.

While giving the reason of the need of the involvemen

While giving the reason of the need of the involvement of legislators or political leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Dr. Ibohalbi asserted that it was a set up of the UN nation. The UN felt it was must for the political leaders to intervene on HIV/AIDS for the alarming rate of fatality by the disease. According to him about 49 millions people were killed during the two world wars while of the 65 millions of PLHA about 35 millions died of the disease and still counting.

He revealed that the rate of HIV/AIDS in the state is consistent adding about 2 to 3 thousand children are living with the virus and there are similar rate of widows with the virus.

Dr. Ibohalbi maintained that the involvement of the legislators not only aims to prevent or reduce HIV/AIDS but also aims to provide the proper need and care for the parentless children and widows with setting up economic generation programmes under the Government undertaking.

The recent release of a revision policy of Government on HIV/AIDS by the Governor was one glaring example of the commitment of the political leaders to fight against the disease and asserted that the MLFA is targeting to complete the constituency level convention by January 2011.

Pradeep Kumar, the Ambassador of MACS, in his testimony stated HIV/AIDS is manageable with the introduction of ART. He recalled how he once live in fear to disclose his status which had slowly landed him on his bed barely able to walk. ‘Later I decided to do something for the society instead of rotting on the bed so that no one should suffer any more like I did’, said Pradeep Kumar adding with strong determination he moved on and took up body building coupled with the Anti Retro-viral Treatment. He also advised those PLHA to take ART regularly without any gap.

According to him ‘it is not HIV/AIDS that kills but the stigma and discrimination of the society’ and appealed those hiding with the virus to come to the main stream instead and join the fight against the disease. With strong determination one can also live a normal life again like he is doing and set encouragement for those living in fear, said Pradeep Kumar.

t is not HIV/AIDS that kills people but

t is not HIV/AIDS that kills people but the stigma and discrimination of the society’ said Pradeep Kumar, Mister Manipur ’07, and ambassador of Manipur Aids Control Society on HIV/AIDS.

Pradeep Kumar who himself is HIV positive, stated this during a one day constituency level convention on HIV/AIDS of the Manipur Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS (MLFA) held today at Sugnu Makha Leikai organized by the CREDEO.

Official sources said that Sugnu area also falls under the list of high rate of HIV/AIDS.

Works minister K. Ranjit, graced the function as the chief guest, Oinam MLA cum secretary MLFA, Dr. I. Ibohalbi as the guest of the honour and the president of the CREDEO presided over the convention.

Besides officials of MACS, which included Deputy Director, Dr. S. Manikanta, UNAIDS co-ordinator, Sushil Huidrom, district level medical officers etc also attended the convention.

While delivering his chief guest speech, Works minister, K. Ranjit, informed the motive of the convention as not only to reduce the stigma and discrimination attached with HIV/AIDS but to give care and support to the PLHA.

He also urged the gathering not to participate and listen only but to share the knowledge with friends and family.

In his guest of honour speech, Dr. Ibohalbi, secretary of MLFA, revealed that there are about 36,000 PLHA in Manipur and scores who have died before the invention of ART.

Today with the introduction of ART the disease becomes manageable adding it is available in almost all the district free of cost. Besides that to get consultation and necessary assistance to the PLHA 61 places is identified which included CHCs, District hospital, PHCs etc.

the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus

In only two decades, the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and AIDS has progressed from being a medical curiosity to its current status as a global killer, changing the family structures, economic development, and even the security of many countries in the developing world. Tony Barnett, professor of development studies at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom, and Alan Whiteside, director of the Health Economics and HIV-AIDS Research Division at the University of Natal in South Africa, have written a book that examines the social and economic effects of the HIV-AIDS epidemic, failures in responding to the epidemic, and what must be done to combat the epidemic. Appropriately, Barnett and Whiteside devote considerable attention to Africa, the home of most of the world's HIV-infected persons. Although disorder, social inequalities, exploitation, and poverty are common throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the authors note that the underlying risk factors for the spread of HIV in this region vary according to country. For example, they maintain that corrupt governments and war gave rise to the epidemics in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, whereas more gradual economic and social changes created a high-risk environment in Tanzania. In the Republic of South Africa, the authors trace the origins of the epidemic in large part to the legacy of apartheid. The need for black workers in mines and factories owned by white persons created a culture in which men left their families to find work and then turned to local prostitutes for sex. The authors also cite the remarkable claim that the apartheid government employed HIV-infected men for the purpose of infecting female sex workers. Beyond the sheer numbers of infections, the effects of the epidemic in the most severely affected countries can be measured by its effects on families, economies, and governments. Barnett and Whiteside give poignant examples of families consisting of children and their grandparents and households where more money is spent on funerals than on medical care. Orphaned girls are often vulnerable to sexual abuse, and orphaned boys forced to serve as soldiers. The loss of adult workers further affects the already weak economies of poor countries. The loss of farmers may lead to the sale of their lands or cultivation of crops that are easier to grow. In businesses, HIV infection increases absenteeism and health insurance costs. In addition, companies may lose their customer base and are forced to write off the debts of customers who have died. African governments may no longer be able to meet their development targets and must cope with the loss of much of their own workforce. One unfortunate irony of the epidemic is that the large numbers of deaths among children and young adults actually allow governments to save money by spending less on education and pensions. Although the large amount of demographic and economic detail provided in the book may not be of interest to most readers, some facts are particularly compelling. For example, in Botswana, the country with the world's highest prevalence of HIV infection, life expectancy for a child born in 2000 has dropped from an anticipated 70 years in the absence of AIDS to only 39 years. Botswana is a relatively wealthy African country because of its diamond industry. However, among employees of Debswana, the diamond company that accounts for a third of Botswana's gross domestic product, HIV seroprevalence is almost 29 percent. In Zambia, a country where the epidemic is almost as severe as in Botswana, the number of teachers who die annually from AIDS now exceeds the number of teachers graduating from all training colleges each year. Unfortunately, the authors note, knowledge and observation of the African HIV-AIDS epidemic have not been translated into appropriate action. They argue that effective prevention efforts will need to move beyond focusing on biomedical and behavioral interventions to changing high-risk environments. The latter goal will require political leadership and multisectoral approaches that extend beyond health agencies. The successes of Uganda in prevention are cited as goals for other countries. In their acknowledgments, the authors thank the staff of KLM Airlines because sections of the book were written on KLM flights and in the KLM lounge in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, the sorts of problems that might result are apparent in the book. These problems range from errors of fact (Pneumocystis carinii is carried by birds, and HIV infects the Sykes monkey) to simple oversights, such as the inclusion of figures that are not referenced in the text. The authors also reveal their backgrounds in economics rather than clinical medicine by failing to define terms that are unlikely to be understood by noneconomists (e.g., "Gini coefficient" and "parastatal middlemen") and making misleading statements about medicine ("Some clinicians prefer to step up the treatment gradually with single drug therapy"). The book is further marred by truisms, such as "Mortality rates crucially affect life expectancy indices" and "The further you look into the future, the less certainty there is." The reader is left wishing that the authors had spent less time on airplanes and more time consulting with a medical editor. Although AIDS in the Twenty-First Century will primarily be of value to persons interested in health economics and international development, even the most casual reader will be struck by the global tragedy of AIDS and the likelihood that the epidemic will progress from bad to worse. Harold W. Jaffe, M.D.
Copyright © 2003 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved. The New England Journal of Medicine is a registered trademark of the MMS. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

attack on the accepted view that AIDS

attack on the accepted view that AIDS is an infectious disease caused by HIV. Duesberg (Molecular biology/Univ. of Calif., Berkeley), an early researcher in the field of retroviruses, asserts that HIV, like virtually all retroviruses, is harmless. He finds that HIV meets none of the usual criteria (such as the six laws of virology) used to establish that a microbe causes disease. But if that is so, why do scientists persist in saying that AIDS is an epidemic caused by HIV? As Duesberg tells it, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention needed a serious epidemic to justify its continued existence, and by naming AIDS a single contagious disease, it created an atmosphere of public fear that brought it increased funding and power. The biomedical establishment took note. Having failed to find a viral cause of cancer, Duesberg says, virus hunters needed a new disease, and AIDS was it. The HIV-AIDS connection was then announced by Robert Gallo, head of a retrovirus lab at the National Cancer Institute, at a 1984 press conference rather than demonstrated in a peer- reviewed scientific paper. Further, Duesberg charges, the pharmaceutical companies exploited the situation by bringing back highly toxic failed cancer drugs, such as AZT, which, he says, destroys the immune system and causes AIDS-like symptoms. Duesberg cites other scientists who have questioned the HIV-AIDS hypothesis, among them several Nobel laureates, including Kary Mullis (for Chemistry), the author of this book's foreword. Duesberg's own theory is that AIDS is linked to the use of immunity-suppressing illicit drugs (such as crack and ``poppers''), and he urges investigation along these lines. One need not accept Duesberg's drug hypothesis, however, to be persuaded that the serious charges he makes deserve serious answers. A controversial book, certain to be met with strong resistance from the biomedical establishment. Four appendixes (not seen) include articles on HIV by Duesberg in scientific journals.

Grade 2-4 --When a new boy who has AIDS joins

Grade 2-4 --When a new boy who has AIDS joins Michael's fourth-grade class, Michael reluctantly becomes his work partner. He soon learns, however, that Alex is funny, creative, and mischievous. He says he can do anything he wants because "I'm sick," so the two boys write an insulting poem about their teacher. Alex's wish to be treated like everyone else is granted--both boys are disciplined, but their friendship is strengthened. Factual information about AIDS is woven into the story fairly unobtrusively. However, some of the more traumatic elements of this illness are glossed over in an effort to promote the message--kids with AIDS are still kids. Overall, the characters are credible; Michael's narration rings true, and Alex's use of his disease to escape punishment seems realistic. Sims's familiar colorful cartoons are adequate but not exceptional. As literature the book is mediocre, but within the bounds of "fiction with a purpose," it succeeds. Rosmarie Hausherr's Children and the AIDS Virus (Clarion, 1989) is a more detailed, factual presentation. Doris Sanford's David Has AIDS (Multnomah, 1989) is a more sentimentalized story for younger children. --Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Friday, July 29, 2011

HIV virus is probably the most dreaded virus i

HIV virus is probably the most dreaded virus in modern times, and the disease that it causes - AIDS - has come to symbolize the latter-day plague. Despite the monumental attempts at finding a cure for AIDS or at least an HIV vaccine, this disease remains almost as intractable as when it first came to wide attention in the early 1980s. In the West AIDS remains the disease that is associated with socially marginalized groups, while globally its greatest impact is on poor countries, with the sub-Saharan Africa carrying the disproportionate number of victims. In the light of all of that all of us would be amiss if we did not get a better understanding of this dreadful disease. "HIV/AIDS - A Very Short Introduction" is a good book to learn the important facts about HIV/AIDS from.

The book is filled with a lot of statistical data and many charts. It provides an astute assessment of the prevalence and the spread of AIDS throughout the world. It deals with various social, political and economic aspects of AIDS and the author covers these topics in great detail. This is a particularly good book to read if you are interested in the public policy aspects of the AIDS epidemic.

Knowing how important a book like this is for educating public about the most important facts about AIDS, it would seem uncharitable to point out its flaws. Nonetheless, here are a few issues that I had with the book and points that I think could be improved.

We believe the foremost objective in supporting HIV

We believe the foremost objective in supporting HIV recovery is the restoration of strength and systemic functionality. Immune Plus does support this as explained above. Immune Plus may thus be used to complement ARV drug therapy. However it should be noted that Immune Plus will not reduce the ARV drug toxicity or ARV drug side effects.

Immune Plus will support a progressive reduction in viral load and a subsequent restoration of CD4 count. This can also complement the inhibiting action of ARV drugs therapy.

On balance Immune Plus is non toxic, side effect free and has supported many HIV sufferers to progressively return to a good level of general health whereby they feel strong, are free from HIV symptoms and are clinically overcoming HIV. If you do choose to use Immune Plus to support your recovery then it is equally important that you understand it principle and what to expect in terms of progress overtime both physically and clinically. We hope that this introduction has helped but we also welcome any questions or concerns you may have and look forward to further supporting your understanding of Immune Plus

Wishing you the best of health

Through the principles of traditional Chinese medicine we have identified HIV


Through the principles of traditional Chinese medicine we have identified HIV induced imbalances throughout the body system and these each impact health and the way in which the body performs, particularly the immune system. Immune Plus is formulated to nurture correction of these imbalances.

The ultimate goal is to reach a point where the body produces anti-HIV antibodies and thus controls HIV naturally. This is not something we claim to have achieved yet but it is an aspect we are aspiring to reach and are researching. That may be considered a bold statement but we believe that it is the key to an HIV cure. Allopathic science have never been able to kill any virus but it is an inspirational fact that the body can and anti-HIV antibodies are known to exist, They are however very rare and only produced by some individuals. We believe a reason for this is that the evasive actions of HIV prevent the body triggering such antibodies and the virus is thus able to evade the body's natural immune defense. We believe that a progressive rebalance of the body will nurture a correct immune response whereby the production of anti-HIV antibodies in the body, and this will lead to natural control of HIV, just the way in which other viral infections are controlled.

What you should know about the test

What you should know about the test

The test used to ascertain whether someone has become infected with the AIDS Virus, HIV, is called the HIV antibody test (e.g. the ELISA). What is looked for is not the virus itself, but the products of the human defence system (immune system) in the blood, i.e. the antibodies.

The HIV test is one of the surest tests in medicine.
The time from the moment of infection until the appearance of antibodies in the blood (seroconversion time, diagnostic window) varies, and is dependent on various factors (route of transmission, number of virus particles transmitted, etc.). As far as we know today, antibodies appear at the earliest after two to six weeks and, in the majority of people within three months, and therefore testing is effective at the earliest two to six weeks after exposure to risk of infection. If the result is then negative, the test should be repeated 3 months later.

There are various tests, and these complement each other. The ELISA is used as an HIV antibody detection test. Since other antibodies may also interact, "positive" results are always rechecked. For confirmation or correction the Western Blot Test is used. It is more time-consuming and expensive than the more sensitive ELISA. To exclude possible sample switches in the laboratory, in the event of a "positive" result a second blood sample is to be recommended.

Antigen tests, which demonstrate viral components directly, are less sensitive than the HIV antibody test, and give no essential shortening of the diagnostic window. The antigen test is important in identifying those newly infected with HIV. The PCR test (gene probes, with which even traces of genetic material of the virus can be detected) is, because of its complexity, used only by specialists and when test results are unclear e.g. in early diagnosis in infants and uncertain cases of infection with HIV. The PCR Test is nowadays used to measure the effectiveness of therapy.

Drugs for Prophylaxis in cases of AIDS

Drugs for Prophylaxis in cases of AIDS
Prophylaxis is aimed at preventing or at least delaying onset of typical infections (opportunistic infections) in the AIDS stage. It only combats the symptoms and does not cure the HIV infection, nor is it a way of halting the destruction of the immune system. The precise procedure for prophylaxis against opportunistic infections depends on the stage of the disease. Various drugs are used: e.g. Baktrim® for prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (b)
For several years now, medical and nursing staff exposed to to the risk of HIV infection by an injury at work – from a used syringe, for example – have been treated for two to four weeks with one or more anti-HIV drugs. This has reduced the risk of transmission by 80%. Since 1997 this "treatment" has been available in Switzerland also to persons who may have become infected through unprotected sexual contact with an HIV positive partner. But little is known at present about the effectiveness of the "treatment", except that it should be started as soon as possible, ideally within a few hours, but not later than 72 hours after the infection risk situation, otherwise the HIV will already have spread in the body. These drugs must be taken for two to four weeks and have strong side-effects. The decision to carry out PEP needs careful consideration by a doctor in a central hospital, as nothing is yet known about long-term damage through antiretroviral therapy on healthy individuals.

Your most important partner: the doctor
Have faith in your doctor. He is an expert and therefore the right partner for you. He will support you and can, where necessary, call upon well trained specialists. Naturally he is bound by the Hippocratic oath of secrecy.

Currently, the drugs available to combat HIV

Antiviral therapy
Currently, the drugs available to combat HIV infection are the reverse transcriptase inhibitors and the protease inhibitors. The reverse transcriptase inhibitors indirectly prevent the viral genome from becoming incorporated in the DNA of the human host cell, as these drugs block an important enzyme for DNA synthesis – reverse transcriptase. The protease inhibitors block protease, a central enzyme responsible for forming new viruses. Nowadays the two types of drug are used in combination. Both help to keep down the level of virus in the blood and lymph nodes and in this way they slow down the progress of the disease. Huge advances have been achieved in the treatment of HIV infection in the last few years. In the early nineties, antiviral therapy was used only in the advanced stages of HIV infection. Nowadays treatment is begun early in the hope: (1) of stopping further proliferation of the virus and destruction of the immune system, thus halting the progress of the disease; (2) of suppressing the formation of resistant HIV variants; (3) of reducing proneness to infection. Studies have shown that in HIV-positive pregnant women, the risk of transmitting the virus to the baby can be greatly reduced by use of antiviral therapy.Nowadays therapy is begun with two different reverse transcriptase inhibitors and one protease inhibitor.

When I told the kids at school I had AIDS

When I told the kids at school I had AIDS, they made fun of me. I told them by accident. Now I want to run away from school." This poignant collection aims to free children infected with AIDS or HIV from their onerous silence--and their peers from insensitivity. Most of the contributors of the brief statements and drawings here are pediatric AIDS or HIV patients at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md.; a few, piercing entries come from siblings ("I really want my brother to know that I love him even if I don't always show it. There are just some times that I have to hit him back"). Although an adult hand is clearly present, particularly in a section where each bit of text begins "I often wonder," the children express their emotions with wrenching candor, whether discussing living with illness, their hopes and fears, or their thoughts about God and heaven. There is room, too, for acceptance and humor: "What will happen to my stuff and my room? (Casey will probably get most of it, but making a museum would not be such a bad idea)." This is an eye-opening, emotionally challenging book, profits from which will be donated to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Ages 8-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Grade 4 Up-A collection of drawings and writings by young HIV patients of the National Cancer Institute. These young people-ages 5 to 19-reveal the human face of HIV and AIDS, and plead for acceptance and kindness. In "I often wonder," the contributors question and dream, expressing fears and speculations about death. "Living with HIV" is about coping on a day-to-day basis with uncertainties and limitations, pain, and never-ending medical interventions. "Family, Friends, and AIDS" records the isolation that society's fears impose. Some children try to reassure readers about the safety of casual contact, appealing for an end to panic. Ignorance and prejudice are the targets of a 10-year-old's essay, "How to treat people with AIDS." The drawings lack technical expertise and sophistication, but are moving. Elaine Landau's We Have AIDS (Watts, 1990), for older readers, features teens' life stories as well as medical facts.

effective at preventing AIDS at the level of an individual

effective at preventing AIDS at the level of an individual. Obviously we can infer that being a member of any of the higher-risk groups should be avoided, but this is nowhere really spelled out not even commented upon. This might due to the fact that this book is more aimed at describing AIDS as a phenomenon, rather than influencing individual behavior, but on the other hand the author is quick to pass judgment on governments and other groups for their approach to the problem of AIDS.
* The author shows clear bias in favor of some AIDS-prevention programs and measures and in opposition to others, but at no point in this book are we given any justification (quantitative or otherwise) for this particular set of attitudes. Many of these attitudes expressed by the author have been promoted extensively in the media, and most of them do make sense, but it would have been useful in a book like this one to be more precise and give a justification for those attitudes that goes beyond what some interest group may be advocating.
* My background is in natural science, and I would have liked if more room had been given to the scientific description of the HIV virus itself - its shape, form, what makes it so virulent, and why have all attempts at creating a successful vaccine failed so far. Even in a very short introduction aimed at the general audience more scientific information would have been useful.
* The book oftentimes swerves outside of the core topic of AIDS, often offering opinions on topics such as climate change, sustainability, sexuality, big-government programs, etc. In some of these cases there is some tangential relationship to AIDS, but more often than not one gets an impression that these are just some of the author's pet concerns and he was unable to resist the urge to put them in.
Despite its many shortcomings, this is still a very informative and important book and a useful first resource in understanding of the global AIDS epidemic.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Anyone who keeps putting off the decision to submit him/herself to an HIV test


Anyone who keeps putting off the decision to submit him/herself to an HIV test, will, if infection is present, lose valuable treatment time.

There are also other reasons why a test should be made: in the case of certain inoculations, e.g. before travelling overseas, the doctor has to adopt a different procedure in the presence of an HIV infection to ensure that the patient comes to no further harm. The same applies to major operations which, as everyone knows, represent an exceptional strain on the immune system. In the interest of the patient the nature of the operation must be considered very carefully.


Only if HIV positive individuals know that they are infected can they take specific precautions to safeguard their health. How many people are aware that birds in the apartment can, with their excrement, cause dangerous fungal diseases in HIV infected persons, or that cat toilets and the soil in flower pots can hold similar risks? Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs are even more harmful for HIV positive persons, since they weaken the immune system additionally. Raw meat and other foodstuffs likely to be contaminated with salmonella should be strictly avoided, as should raw fish, oysters and other sea foods. Mayonnaise and sauce or gravy that have been left standing too long can also be dangerous. In contrast, healthy nutrition rich in calories and vitamins is to be recommended. Contacts with carriers of pathogens (germs) – whether childrens' diseases (e.g. chicken pox) or tuberculosis – can become dangerous. Travelling to countries with a low standard of hygiene – above all tropical countries – may involve above-average dangers of infection. The taking of medicines without first consulting the doctor should be avoided due to possible side effects or weakening of the immune system. And, what many people do not know, severe physical strain or stress, as well as sun-bathing in the open air or in the solarium, can also affect the immune system, and thus accelerate the outbreak of AIDS.

In the interests of all infected persons, all the points mentioned speak in favour of an HIV test. But there is also a further reason: for several years now the medical world has been in possession of virus-inhibiting medications
Treat immediately and correctly
When an HIV positive person falls victim to other infections, this contributes to the proliferation of the virus, and thus to further weakening of the immune system. Basically harmless diseases – e.g. shingles – can take a very severe course. Many diseases, e.g. diarrhea, must therefore be treated at an early stage.

It is essential for a doctor to know whether his patient is HIV positive or not. Only then can he make a correct diagnosis and initiate correspondingly effective therapy. For example in the most frequent type of pneumonia encountered in HIV positive patients, Pneumocystis-Carinii-Pneumonia (PCP) completely different drugs have to be employed than in "normal" pneumonia. At the time when PCP was treated as normal pneumonia almost half of the patients died. But now, with early diagnosis and appropriate therapy, less than five per cent of these patients die.

In patients known to be HIV positive a virus disease of the eyes (CMV Retinitis), which frequently occurs in AIDS patients, can be diagnosed at an early stage and treated, preventing them from going blind. Treat immediately and correctly
When an HIV positive person falls victim to other infections, this contributes to the proliferation of the virus, and thus to further weakening of the immune system. Basically harmless diseases – e.g. shingles – can take a very severe course. Many diseases, e.g. diarrhea, must therefore be treated at an early stage.

It is essential for a doctor to know whether his patient is HIV positive or not. Only then can he make a correct diagnosis and initiate correspondingly effective therapy. For example in the most frequent type of pneumonia encountered in HIV positive patients, Pneumocystis-Carinii-Pneumonia (PCP) completely different drugs have to be employed than in "normal" pneumonia. At the time when PCP was treated as normal pneumonia almost half of the patients died. But now, with early diagnosis and appropriate therapy, less than five per cent of these patients die.

In patients known to be HIV positive a virus disease of the eyes (CMV Retinitis), which frequently occurs in AIDS patients, can be diagnosed at an early stage and treated, preventing them from going blind.

The test always makes sense

The test always makes sense Let us assume that the person in question is not infected at all, i.e. HIV negative. The negative test result indicates the absence of an infection with a high degree of certainty – provided that the recommended waiting period before the test has been observed (see below). Any uncertainty and any unnecessary fears can now be assuaged. In this situation, combined with competent counselling, a responsible pattern of behaviour (with avoidance of risk situations) can be developed for the future.

Let us assume, on the other hand, that someone is infected, i.e. HIV positive. This person will, as a rule, do everything possible not to spread the disease further. No-one would like to infect his/her partner, the person he/she loves most, or cause the birth of an HIV positive child. On the other hand only those persons can profit from timely therapy (which can postpone the terminal stage AIDS), who know that they are HIV positive. In many of the complications accompanying AIDS, early recognition plays an important role. Such manifestations can be treated in time, and much suffering can be prevented. An HIV positive person who places him/herself under competent medical care, can live longer and better than someone who delays until the onset of AIDS.

We recommend that you have the test performed by a doctor in whom you have confidence, so that comprehensive counselling can follow.

Why it is better to have yourself tested

Why it is better to have yourself tested

If someone has been at risk of contracting HIV, testing is the only way to find out whether or not they have become infected. The test should be combined with comprehensive counselling by a doctor.

The HIV infection has, within the space of only a few years, developed into a pandemic (worldwide epidemic). Here too it is becoming more and more widespread, and no longer affects only the risk groups. It is, therefore, important for all persons to know whether they are infected or not, since in this way each one of us can contribute towards preventing the further spreading of this fatal disease.

Deceptive calm
As a rule an infected person notices nothing (with the exception of an occasionally occurring influenza-like illness within the first weeks) of the HIV infection for several years – a deceptive calm. In this symptom-free period, which lasts on average ten to twelve years, the infected person is already a transmitter of the disease. Whether one has become infected or not can only be ascertained by making an HIV test. Those who have themselves tested are behaving responsibly both towards themselves and towards others.

Aids AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

In fact, in a very large University of California at Berkeley study it was shown that those with the slowest disease progression had a level of nutrients not achievable by diet alone—in other words, the people who did the best over time were using nutrient supplements. Many other studies done over the years have shown a high level of nutrient deficiencies in HIV disease, and many positive benefits of higher levels of nutrients in people living with HIV/AIDS.

Aids

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. It can take years for a person infected with HIV, even without treatment, to reach this stage. Having AIDS means that the virus has weakened the immune system to the point at which the body has a difficult time fighting infections. When someone has one or more of these infections and a low number of T cells, he or she has AIDS.

For more information view CDC's questions and answers on "HIV Science".


Electron microscope image of HIV, seen as small spheres on the surface of white blood cells

Methods: "Forty HIV-infected patientsA

Methods: "Forty HIV-infected patients taking a stavudine and/or didanosine-based HAART regimen were prospectively randomized to receive micronutrients or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. Data were collected at 4-week intervals including immunologic, metabolic, and clinical measurements. The study examined the effect of micronutrient supplementation on immunologic parameters as the primary end point. The secondary end points were metabolic and clinical effects and distal symmetrical polyneuropathy." Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco Medical School.

Results: "The mean absolute CD4 count increased by an average of 65 cells in the micronutrient group versus a 6-cell decline in the placebo group at 12 weeks (P = 0.029). The absolute CD4 count increased by an average of 24% in the micronutrient group versus a 0% change in the placebo group (P = 0.01). The mean HIV-1 RNA decreased in the micronutrient supplementation group, although not significantly. Neuropathy scores improved in the micronutrient group by 42% compared with a 33% improvement in the placebo arm. Fasting serum glucose, insulin, and lipids were not adversely affected in the patients taking the micronutrients."

Conclusion of Study

"This study demonstrates that a micronutrient supplement administered to HIV-infected patients taking stable HAART significantly enhances CD4 lymphocyte reconstitution. Our findings support the potential for a broad-spectrum micronutrient supplement to be used as adjuvant therapy in combination with HAART to provide patients with a more robust CD4 cell rebound after initiating antiretroviral treatment."

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—A transmissible retrovirus that causes AIDS in humans. Two forms of HIV are now recognized: HIV-1, which causes most cases of AIDS in Europe, North and South America, and most parts of Africa; and HIV-2, which is chiefly found in West African patients. HIV-2, discovered in 1986, appears to be less virulent than HIV-1 and may also have a longer latency period.

Immunodeficient—A condition in which the body's immune response is damaged, weakened, or is not functioning properly.

Kaposi's sarcoma—A cancer of the connective tissue that produces painless purplish red (in people with light skin) or brown (in people with dark skin) blotches on the skin. It is a major diagnostic marker of AIDS

Latent period—Also called incubation period, the time between infection with a disease-causing agent and the development of disease.

Lymphocyte—A type of white blood cell that is important in the formation of antibodies and that can be used to monitor the health of AIDS patients.

Lymphoma—A cancerous tumor in the lymphatic system that is associated with a poor prognosis in AIDS patients.

Macrophage—A large white blood cell, found primarily in the bloodstream and connective tissue, that helps the body fight off infections by ingesting the disease-causing organism. HIV can infect and kill macrophages.

Monocyte—A large white blood cell that is formed in the bone marrow and spleen. About 4% of the white blood cells in normal adults are monocytes.

Mycobacterium avium (MAC) infection—A type of opportunistic infection that occurs in about 40% of AIDS patients and is regarded as an AIDS-defining disease.

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors— A newer class of anti-retroviral drugs that work by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme necessary for HIV replication.

Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors—The first group of effective anti-retroviral medications. They work by interfering with HIV synthesis of its viral DNA.

Opportunistic infection—An infection by organisms that usually do not cause infection in people with healthy functioning immune systems.

Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL)—A condition in which HIV continues to produce chronic painless swellings in the lymph nodes during the latency period.

Acute retroviral syndrome—

Acute retroviral syndrome—A group of symptoms resembling mononucleosis that often are the first sign of HIV infection in 50-70% of all patients and 45-90% of women.

AIDS dementia complex—A type of brain dysfunction caused by HIV infection that causes difficulty thinking, confusion, and loss of muscular coordination.

Antibody—A specific protein produced by the immune system in response to a specific foreign protein or particle called an antigen.

Antigen—Any substance that stimulates the body to produce antibody.

Autoimmunity—A condition in which the body's immune system produces antibodies in response to its own tissues or blood components instead of foreign particles or microorganisms.

CD4—A type of protein molecule in human blood, sometimes called the T4 antigen, that is present on the surface of 65% of immune cells. The HIV virus infects cells that have CD4 surface proteins, and as a result, depletes the number of T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, and monocytes in the patient's blood. Most of the damage to an AIDS patient's immune system is done by the virus' destruction of CD4+ lymphocytes.

Hairy leukoplakia of the tongue—A white area of diseased tissue on the tongue that may be flat or slightly raised. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and is an important diagnostic sign of AIDS.

Hemophilia—Any of several hereditary blood coagulation disorders occurring almost exclusively in males. Because blood does not clot properly, even minor injuries can cause significant blood loss that may require a blood transfusion, with its associated minor risk of infection.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Health care team roles

Health care team roles

The physician oversees the treatment strategy and patient evaluation for patients who are HIV-positive and/or have AIDS. Adherence to treatment is a critical aspect of clinical care in AIDS, and nurses play a key role in educating patients and providing them with adherence tools. Nurses, social workers, and psychologists can also be trained as HIV counselors to advise patients about HIV testing and, if necessary, to assist and guide patients in adjusting to a life with HIV. During end-stage AIDS, nurses, social workers, and other hospice workers ensure that patients do not experience unnecessary pain and discomfort.

Prevention

As of 2000, there is no vaccine effective against HIV/AIDS. Several vaccines are being investigated, however, both to prevent initial HIV infection and as a therapeutic treatment to prevent HIV from progressing to full-blown AIDS.

Several types of prevention programs have been found to be effective in reducing sexual transmission of HIV. These include:

  • targeted education for at-risk groups, emphasizing preventive practices such as condom use, monogamy, and HIV testing prior to beginning a sexual relationship
  • counseling with or without testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
  • education programs in institutions such as the military, prisons, and the workplace
  • greater access to condoms

Preventive measures for other modes of transmission include:

  • Making clean needles more available and discouraging intravenous drug users from sharing needles.
  • Encouraging health care professionals to take all necessary precautions by wearing gloves and masks when handling body fluids.
  • Encouraging health care institutions to provide safer medical devices such as self-sheathing needles and retracting and/or needleless intravenous systems.
  • Informing individuals who are planning to undergo major surgery that they can donate blood in advance to prevent a risk of infection from a blood transfusion. (However, blood and blood products are carefully monitored.)
  • Encouraging testing for HIV infection if there has been suspected exposure to HIV. If HIV infection is confirmed, sexual partners should be informed and, if necessary, receive medical attention.

Treatment in women

STIMULATION OF BLOOD CELL PRODUCTION. Because many patients with AIDS suffer from abnormally low levels of both red and white blood cells, they may be given medications to stimulate blood cell production। Epoetin alfa (erythropoietin) may be given to anemic patients. Patients with low white blood cell counts may be given filgrastim or sargramostim.

Treatment in women

Treatment of pregnant women with HIV is particularly important because anti-retroviral therapy has been shown to reduce transmission to the infant by 65%.

Prognosis

No cure for AIDS has been discovered. Treatment stresses aggressive combination drug therapy for those patients with access to the expensive medications and who tolerate them adequately. The use of these multi-drug therapies, called highly active antiretroviral therapies or HAART, has significantly reduced the numbers of deaths in the United states resulting from AIDS. The data is still inconclusive, but the potential exists to prolong life indefinitely using these and other drug therapies to boost the immune system, keep the virus from replicating, and ward off opportunistic infections and malignancies.

Prognosis after the latency period depends on the patient's specific symptoms and the organ systems affected by the disease. Patients with AIDS-related lymphomas of the central nervous system die within two to three months of diagnosis; those with systemic lymphomas may survive for eight to ten months.

Prophylactic treatment is treatment that is given to prevent disease. AIDS

Prophylactic treatment is treatment that is given to prevent disease. AIDS patients with a history of Pneumocystis pneumonia; with CD4+ counts below 200

cells/mm3 or 14% of lymphocytes; weight loss; or thrush should be given prophylactic medications. The three drugs given are trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, dapsone, or pentamidine in aerosol form.

ANTI-RETROVIRAL TREATMENT. In recent years researchers have developed drugs that suppress HIV replication, as distinct from treating its effects on the body. These drugs fall into three classes:

  • Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). These drugs work by looking very similar to the molecules acted upon by the HIV enzyme reverse transcriptase. Reverse transcriptase binds to these drugs, which in turn stop the viral replication process. These drugs include zidovudine, didanosine (ddi), zalcitabine (ddC), stavudine (d4T), lamivudine (3TC), and abacavir (ABC).
  • Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). These drugs de-activate the HIV enzyme reverse transcriptase. This class of drugs includes nevirapine (NVP), delavirdine (DLV), and efavirenz (EFV).

Protease inhibitors. A new class of drugs, protease inhibitors are effective against HIV strains that have developed resistance to nucleoside analogues and are used in combination with them. These compounds include saquinavir (SQV), ritonavir (RJV), indinavir (IDV), nelfinavir (NFV), and amprenavir (APV).

New combinations of therapies are also being developed, primarily to improve adherence. Trizivir for the treatment of HIV in adults and adolescents is a fixeddose

Because AIDS is a fatal disease, AIDS therapies

Treatment

Because AIDS is a fatal disease, AIDS therapies focus on improving the quality and length of life for AIDS patients by slowing or halting the replication of the virus, and treating or preventing infections and cancers that take advantage of a person's weakened immune system. No vaccine is effective in preventing HIV infection.

Treatment for AIDS covers four considerations:

TREATMENT OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS AND MALIGNANCIES. Most AIDS patients require complex long-term treatment with medications for infectious diseases. This treatment is often complicated by the development of resistance in the disease organisms. AIDS-related malignancies in the central nervous system are usually treated with radiation therapy. Cancers elsewhere in the body are treated with chemotherapy.

Diagnosis in children

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Diagnosis in children

Diagnostic blood testing in children older than 18 months is similar to adult testing, with ELISA screening confirmed by Western blot. Younger infants can be diagnosed by direct culture of the HIV virus, PCR testing, and p24 antigen testing.

In terms of symptoms, children are less likely than adults to have an early acute syndrome. They are, however, likely to have delayed growth, a history of frequent illness, recurrent ear infections, a low blood cell count, failure to gain weight, and unexplained fevers. Children with AIDS are more likely to develop bacterial infections, inflammation of the lungs, and AIDS-related brain disorders than are HIV-positive adults.