THE RISK FACTORS AND SYMPTOMS OF HIV/AIDS
Unbelievably so, many people who have been infected with HIV show no signs of the infection and are not even aware that they have it. In some cases individuals may experience a mild, flu-like illness within the first few weeks of exposure. Generally, it takes two to five years for any symptoms of the HIV infection to surface. It may also take 2 or more years after the initial infection of HIV to confirm a positive diagnosis of AIDS. The virus, however, does not stay dormant during this time period. It immediately begins to attack the immune system as the virus rapidly replicates billions of copies of itself on a daily basis. This, in turn causes the body’s immune system to produce a similar amount of antibodies in order to defend itself against the virus. As the years progress, the body struggles to fight off the virus until its overworked immune system becomes depleted and unable to function at all. AIDS is the end result.
Some Common Risk Factors for AIDS:
• Overuse of drugs, such as steroids and antibiotics.
• High-risk sexual activity.
• Substance abuse, such as the use of cigarettes, alcohol, cocaine, amyl nitrate, marijuana. Also, other recreational drugs as well as intravenous drug use.
• A diet high in processed foods, fats and refined sugars.
• Preexisting infections of herpes, hepatitis and/or mononucleosis.
• Infections of Yeast, (such as Candida albicans) and/or parasites.
• Preexisting sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis.
SYMPTOMS OF HIV/AIDS:
• Oral thrush, which is a found on the tongue as it becomes coated with white bumps. This is a symptom of Candidiasis, which indicates that the immune system is compromised.
• Intestinal parasites.
• Unexplained fatigue, that continues for a prolonged time.
• Swollen Lymph nodes (glands).
• A fever (unexplained) that lasts for more than ten days.
• Excessive perspiration (especially at night).
• Lesions in the mouth, painful swollen gums as well as thrush.
• A cough, headache or sore throat.
• Shortness of breath.
• Constipation or other changes in daily bowel habits.
• Frequent or excessive diarrhea.
• Unintentional loss of weight.
• General feeling of overall discomfort or malaise (uneasiness).
• Symptoms of an opportunistic infection.
• Tumors, such as Karposi’s Syndrome.
• Lesions or skin rashes.
• Memory loss or speech impairment.
• Joint pain, stiffness or swelling; bone pain or tenderness.
• Genital sores or lumps found in the groin area.
• Blurred vision, blindness, and blind spots in the field of vision or decreased vision.
• Atrophy of muscles, decreasing intellectual function.
• Strange or unusual behavior, anxiety, stress, tension.
• Sensitivity to light, chest pain and generalized itching (pruritis).
The problem with diagnosing HIV and AIDS is that the symptoms vary so widely and are nonspecific. Be careful not to assume that having one or more of the above symptoms means that a person has HIV or AIDS. These conditions can be caused by many different illnesses and disorders. In order to find out one must be tested for HIV to know for certain. Also, a positive diagnosis of HIV does not mean that AIDS is present. It does mean that one has been exposed to HIV and that the presence of antibodies has been confirmed in the blood system. This does confirm at the earliest stage possible that the chance of developing AIDS is there. The good news is that some authorities believe that although there is a strong link between HIV and AIDS, the disease of AIDS can be caused by many other factors. It is not certain that HIV alone, while a contributing factor, is the sole determining cause as to whether one will develop AIDS. It appears that the virus needs help from other sources in order to develop immune deficiency. An example of this is something that has been observed by epidemiologists, who have found that there is another retrovirus known as human T cell lymphoma virus (HTLV), which is similarly transmitted. This virus is far less common than HIV, yet when the two viruses are present together the disease progresses much more quickly than with HIV alone. Also, some individuals with signs of full-blown immune deficiency, which is consistent with a diagnosis of AIDS, test negative for HIV antibodies.
Statistics to date show that only 50 to 60 percent of individuals who have tested positive for HIV (documented by the antibody test) have developed AIDS. Some individuals carry the virus for many years and never do develop AIDS, which shows a link between a suppressed immune system and the progression of the disease. The risk of developing AIDS has everything to do with the strength of the immune system as well as the length of the time of exposure to the virus. What this means is that if the immune system is strong and functioning well, even a person in the high-risk group may avoid developing AIDS. On the other hand, studies have repeatedly shown that persons with compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk of contracting AIDS.
Studies at the Pasteur Institute indicate that the virus is possibly more hardy and irrepressible than previously thought. Authorities in the field of health had always maintained that the virus could not survive without a host, but researchers at the Pasteur Institute have now demonstrated that the HIV virus can live outside the body. A study there proved that the virus could survive in untreated sewage for up to 11 days. It is apparent that HIV is not as fragile as was previously thought. It is even thought possible that not only can the virus live outside the body for many days, even in a dry or inactive state, but that it can become infectious again.
SYMPTOMS OF FULL BLOWN AIDS:
• Symptoms of one or more opportunistic infections or cancers associated with HIV.
• Pneumonia (Pneumoncystis carinii).
• Candidal esophagitis or esophagitis from herpes simplex or Cytomegalo virus.
• Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system.
• Cryptosporidiosis of the intestine (for more than 4 weeks).
• Karposi’s sarcoma.
• Toxoplasmosis of the brain.
• Herpes simplex ulcers that last more than 1 month and cover an extensive area.
The sure way to survive AIDS is to get into a treatment
program at the earliest stage possible. A program where
enhancement of the immune system is a high priority is
essential. Also, people with HIV and AIDS require higher
amounts of nutrients, as malabsorption is very common.
In the book Prescription For Nutritional Healing, 3rd
Edition by Balch & Balch a complete listing of Nutrients,
Herbs and other recommendations can be found to assist
the body in healing these disorders. While AIDS is commonly
treated with various drug “cocktails”, one
should consider all the resources available including
alternative healing methods such as those found in the
book listed above. A positive attitude, affirmations and
prayer have all been found to be helpful in healing even
the most serious conditions, such as HIV and AIDS. There
are also many support groups available for emotional support
as well. These can be found on the Internet under HIV/AIDS
Support Groups or through local service and charitable
organizations.
More Information:
HIV/AIDS
HIV Testing
