New life with HIV

To completely combat HIV-AIDS by 2030, health experts lay a premium on creating widespread awareness so that everyone with AIDS is treated at the right time. This will go a long way in the patients maintaining good health. PIONEER HEALTH tells you more

THE TREATMENT

The latest reports by The Lancet journal suggest that young people with HIV may now have near-normal life expectancy because of improvement in treatments. The treatment of HIV is reliant on timely detection of the disease and it is possible only through reaching out to the vulnerable communities and detects the virus through testing. Community-based testing is a major initiative to reach out to such “isolated” vulnerable groups. The present state of expenses and life-expectancy involved in HIV treatment also needs attention.

Dr Naveet Wig, Professor, Department of Medicine AIIMS, shared his experience as a doctor treating HIV patients. He said: “Until 2003, antiretroviral therapy drugs were not available in India. However, with the collective help of massive campaigns led by activists, media, healthcare professionals and Government, the drugs became available in India, from 2003 onwards. Now, the National AIDS Control Programme is doing well. Through the efforts of institutions like NACO, UNAIDS and CDC, things have changed. These institutions should be supported.” 

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

HIV and AIDS are different terms. HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks and destroys white blood cells or T Lymphocytes in the immune system, making the body prone to all types of diseases. AIDS, on the other hand, is a condition, which develops in the advanced stages of HIV infection due to a weak immune system.

FACTFILE

By the end of last year, there were 2.1 million people living with HIV, with new infections falling to 80,000 in 2016 from 1,50,000 in 2005. Of these, 9,100 infected were children under age 15 years. Although there has been a registered 20% annual decline in new infections over the past few years, more efforts are required to completely combat the disease by the year 2030. There is a need to create awareness about the fact that everyone with AIDS must be accorded treatment at the right time to help them achieve good health.

This year, the theme for World AIDS Day is “Right to Health”. The WHO will highlight the need for all 36.7 million people living with the condition, to reach the goal of universal health coverage by 2030.HIV is a condition which targets the immune system and weakens people’s defence systems against infections and some types of cancer. The virus destroys and impairs the function of immune cells, thus gradually making infected individuals become immunodeficient.

ABC of safe sex: Abstain, Be faithful to your partner and if you cannot, use Condoms.

Drinking alcohol or taking drugs interferes with judgment. Even those who understand the risks of AIDS and the importance of safe sex may become careless after drinking or using drugs.

People with STIs should seek prompt treatment and avoid sexual intercourse or practice safe sex.

Used infected razor blades, knives or tools that cut or pierce the skin also carry some risk of spreading HIV.

HIV-positive people may remain asymptomatic but can still pass on the virus to others.

HIV-TB CONNECT

The risk of developing active TB is estimated to be 26 and 31 times greater in people living with HIV than in those who are HIV-negative. There is no official data on the magnitude of the TB/HIV co-infection in India. However, the data garnered from studies on HIV sero-positivity among adult TB patients in tertiary health care centers does provide an insight on the magnitude of the problem though it would be naive to assume the data to be representative of the problem in the community.

2.40 MILLION INDIANS LIVING WITH AIDS

According to Dr Manisha Arora, senior consultant in Internal Medicine at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, in India, about 2.40 million people are living with AIDS & HIV. “AIDS is a disease caused by a virus called HIV. The disease alters the immune system and making people more vulnerable to infections and diseases. Many people after becoming infected with HIV have no symptoms for several months to even years. Others may develop symptoms similar to flu, usually 2-6 weeks after catching the virus. Symptoms associated with early HIV infection are diarrhea, weakness, weight loss, red rashes, enlarged glands, night sweating, sore throat, muscular pain, joint pain, chills and fever,” Arora says.

 At present, there is no cure for HIV and AIDS, but its treatment can slow down the course of the condition and improves quality of life and also extends life expectancy. There are many misconceptions about this disease. It can’t be transmitted from casually meeting, hugging, hands shaking, etc. It can transmit via unprotected sex, drug abuse and needle sharing, body fluid exposure or during pregnancy.

AYURVEDIC IMMUNITY PROPS

Ayurveda can help in preventing AIDS by strengthening the body’s defence system through herbs and a supplementary code of conduct or achaar rasayana. Ayurveda recommends a whole range of herbs for the prevention. Herbs like amla (emblica officinalis), bala (sida cordiolia), haritaki (terminalia chebula), nirgundi (vitex nirgundo) and amrita (tinospora wedifolia) have been found to be effective in the prevention of AIDS.

The first step to stem the disease is emotional and moral support to the patient. The patient must be surrounded with well-meaning and loving family and friends for the healing to take place. The patient should be given nourishing food that is easily digestible and be engaged in fruitful activities.

Ayurvedic tonic and rejuvenators should be given to strengthen the

system, boost immunity levels and stimulate appetite. After gaining some strength shodhana (elimination) techniques can be used to expel toxins from the body through enemas, steam bath, purgation and emesis. A nourishing diet along with medicated ghee preparations and soups is recommended. But spicy, oily and acidic foods are to be

avoided. Also, chyavanprash, raktavardhak and triphala are recommended for AIDS patients