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Facts You Need to Know About HIV Testing
There are a number of tests that are used to find out whether a person is infected with HIV including the CD4 test and the viral load test. Deciding when to start antiretroviral treatment or the CD4 Test for HIV can be difficult as there is no proven ‘right’ time.
The ARV treatment or the viral load test should stop a person from becoming ill for many years. For many, the therapy works without any major problems. However, there sometimes can be difficulties related to drug resistance, drug interactions, side effects and adherence. There are different views regarding the benefits of starting treatment earlier or later, though most recommend not starting until the advanced stages of HIV infection. It is a very important decision with long-term consequences.
The HIV Antibody test is the most appropriate for routine diagnosis of HIV among adults. Antibody tests are cheap and very accurate. The ELISA antibody test (enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent) or EIA (enzyme immunoassay) was the first test to be widely used. When a person is infected, their body responds by producing special proteins that fight infection which are called antibodies. An antibody test looks for these antibodies in blood, saliva or urine. If antibodies to HIV are detected, the person has been infected with HIV. Most people develop detectable HIV antibodies 6-12 weeks of infection. In rare cases, it takes about 6 months, though it is unlikely that someone would take longer than 6 months to develop antibodies.
For those who have never had unprotected sex, shared drug injecting equipment, or been exposed to HIV during a medical procedure or at work, then there is very little likelihood of you having HIV, and no real reason to take an HIV test. Otherwise, if you think you have been infected or there is a possibility that you have been exposed to HIV, then a test is always the best option.
Facts About Influenza (Flu) and Flu Vaccine – Special Considerations for the HIV Positive Person
When encouraging patients to receive the flu vaccine every
fall, I always find it amazing that so many people have
misconceptions about the flu and the flu shot. If I were to
ask a group of patients what the flu is, I would get many
different answers, including descriptions of symptoms of a
viral gastrointestinal syndrome (nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea), a sinus infection, the common cold, or of true
influenza (flu) infection.
Influenza (referred to as flu in this article) is a serious
and extremely contagious viral respiratory illness.
Complications of the flu can lead to hospitalization and
death. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
Every year in the United States, 5% – 20% of the population
gets the flu, approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized
from flu complications, and approximately 36,000 people die
from the flu.
The symptoms of the flu include fever (usually >102F),
headache, extreme fatigue, sore throat, dry cough, runny or
stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting, and
diarrhea are uncommon with the flu. Although some flu
symptoms resemble those of the common cold, flu symptoms
have a much more abrupt onset and are more severe than those
of a cold. Possible complications of the flu include
bacterial or viral pneumonia, sinus infections, ear
infections, dehydration, and worsening of other medical
conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or chronic lung
disease. These complications can prolong the illness and may
lead to hospitalization.
Mad Cow, Avian Flu Cure & Prevention
Offered here is distilled research and commentary presented by reputable third parties on mad cow, avian flu, hoof & mouth, MS, HIV/AIDS and others. The third parties presented here are either researchers with no product to sell, or established, reputable journalistic reports, including one from National Public Radio (NPR).
For mad cow, a researcher who recently presented his findings at the Geneva Health Conference and was interviewed in the title: Micro Eco-Farming, says to put kelp in the animal’s daily feed, and perhaps on their pastures. This supplies the daily 72+ trace minerals in perfectly balanced form, a form mammals (including humans) were created to receive daily, and no longer get, even with organic farming, (although organic usually comes closer, and sometimes supplies them unknowingly). For detailed scientific and historical commentary on this, see http://www.truehealth.org/madcow3.html
Hoof and mouth: For how this same method has been shown to work with hoof & mouth disease, see information from the same researcher: http://www.truehealth.org/madcow3.html
