| The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is | | | | treatment will be to inhibit further replication of the |
| not a disease, but rather a group of illnesses that a | | | | virus within that person's body as well as to reduce |
| person is likely to develop because of a weakened | | | | the risk of developing opportunistic infections and |
| immune system after they have been infected with | | | | ultimately death. Anti-Retroviral therapy (ARV or |
| the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). | | | | ART) is the use of one or more specific medications |
| Tuberculosis, Syphilis, Candidiasis, Esophagitis, Herpes | | | | which are designed to achieve these purposes. These |
| Zoster, Pancreatitis, Gastroenteritis, Pneumonia and | | | | drugs can only be obtained via prescription from a |
| Meningitis are the most common illnesses associated | | | | certified medical practitioner who will need to first, |
| with an HIV infection. They are collectively referred | | | | assess your general state of health to determine |
| to as "opportunistic infections" and each one of these | | | | which drugs would be best indicated for you; then |
| illnesses has a specific treatment regime. It is certainly | | | | monitor your reaction to the drug in order to assess |
| not uncommon for several of these conditions to | | | | whether or not it is effective, as well as to identify |
| exist in the same person all at once and this is usually | | | | and address any side effects which may arise with |
| an indication of the severity of the HIV infection. In | | | | the use of these drugs. It is important to note that |
| fact, current medical standards stipulate that any | | | | once you get started on ART there is no turning |
| person infected with HIV that begins to show signs | | | | back... you will need to continue taking them for the |
| and symptoms of one or more opportunistic | | | | rest of your life. |
| infections should begin immediate treatment for the | | | | Many persons will also opt to use complementary |
| HIV infection in addition to whatever other treatment | | | | natural therapies to help them cope with HIV/AIDS. |
| they may also require. | | | | These include relaxation techniques like visualization |
| For persons identified as being HIV positive through | | | | and meditation as well as physical therapies like |
| specific medical testing and not having any signs and | | | | acupuncture, massage and yoga. Increasing in |
| symptoms of opportunistic infections, the option to | | | | popularity is the use of herbal medicines. These |
| start treatment is based on the results of those | | | | substances work like standard medicines and are |
| tests. However, more often that not, these | | | | derived from various plant parts, including flowers, |
| individuals will have results that do not indicate a need | | | | berries, leaves and roots. Be sure to pay attention to |
| for medication. If, however, there are signs and | | | | the dosage and proper use of these substances as |
| symptoms of one or more opportunistic infections, | | | | well as all the possible side effects. |
| then immediate treatment is indicated and their | | | | It is important to discuss this with your doctor |
| management must take into account any other | | | | before beginning any alterative therapy. Note that |
| illnesses that may be occurring at the same time. This | | | | not everything that is "natural" (for example, an herb) |
| will often require consultation with highly specialized | | | | is safe for you to take. These products can often |
| doctors to identify and treat the possible | | | | interact with your HIV medications or even cause |
| opportunistic infections. Women who are pregnant | | | | side effects of their own. For instance, St. John's |
| and infected with HIV will also require treatment, | | | | wort will actually decrease the levels of some HIV |
| regardless of their test results or general state of | | | | medications in your blood. You must also be aware |
| health, in order to prevent transmission to the unborn | | | | that these therapies are not substitutes for your |
| child. | | | | regular medical treatment and so you should never |
| Once the need for HIV treatment has been | | | | stop taking your medication. |
| confirmed for whatever reason, the goals of this | | | | |