HIV and liver illnes

Although sex transfer of HCV is not efficient, 10% of acutely infected HCV persons report no danger element other than reproductive contact with an Infected partner. Many centers have reported an increase in acute HCV in MSM, and rates of sexual transmission of HCV appear to be higher in in MSM than in the general populace, especially among persons who are co infected with HIV. The natural representation of HCV infection is variable. Approximately 20% of mono infected patients ultimately develop cirrhosis, whereas approximately 80% of patients develop some degree of fibrosis (without progression to cirrhosis); patients without cirrhosis typically remain asymptomatic. HCV can affect organ systems outside the liver, such as dermatological and renal systems, but its effects most commonly are limited to the liver. Co infection with HIV adversely impacts the natural history of HCV infection. HIV/HCV-coinfected patients have reduce rates of spontaneous HCV clearance, higher HCV viral loads, drop rates of successful HCV treatment, faster progression to cirrhosis, and greater risk of developing liver compensation, end-stage liver illness and extracellular carcinoma (HCC). On the other hand, HCV confection does not appear to increase HIV- and AIDS-related complications or the happy result of HIV antiviral (ARV) treatment. Newly available directly acting anti-HCV drugs, when used in conjunction with model HCV therapy, appear to substantially enhance the likelihood of successfully treating HCV in challenging subgroups of co infected persons; these and additional new drugs that are in advanced stages of happening offer the hope of greatly improved therapies for HCV.

Testosterone production

Testosterone is for the most portion a man hormone produced by the testicles, although a smaller amount is produced by the adrenal glands. This hormone is accountable for the development of male physical characteristics, muscle mass, power, fat assignment and reproductive drive. Smaller amounts of testosterone are also produced by women in the ovaries and the adrenal glands. Testosterone production is stimulated by hormones such as leuteinizing hormone further up the chain starting at the hypothalamus in the brains.
The use of additional anabolic steroids to construct muscle bulk and strength has been favourite in bodybuilding and other sports requiring bulk and strength for many decades. They do work spectacularly well. Illegal supplemental steroids include regular testosterone or the very many natural or synthetic molecules based on testosterone or anabolic hormone precursors. Some examples incorporate testosterone enanthate, nandrolone, trenbolone, oxymethalone, stanozolol and the various commerce names under which they are marketed. The adverse effects or attractive these substances carelessly have been well documented. Although articulated formulations of some anabolic steroids are available, they are usually injected once or twice a week.

HIV and life

For many HIV certain persons being crawls towards a slow end after knowing about the disease, but for Manipuri corpse builder Khundrakpam Pradip Kumar Singh his "existing life started" in March 2000 when he learnt that he was contracted with the fatal virus. Defying doctors who had warned him against the rigours of cadaver structure, the 38-year-old from Manipur joined a gymnasium. Nine years down the mark, Pradip Kumar has several achievements to his credit, including the 'Mr Manipur' title in 2007.
He now wants to be a part representation for millions of HIV absolute people. Having thwarted the dangerous virus for more than a decade, Pradip Kumar is still going strong with a sure attitude towards life. Here for the 49th Senior National Men's Body Building and Women's Fitness Championship being held at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, Pradip Kumar says he "needs support" in his mission to spread the communication across and has an aim to gaping a world class gymnasium in his hometown, Imphal. A drug addict during his university days, Pradip Kumar contracted HIV through a shared syringe, but learnt about it years later. "But considering my young age of 29, the doctors in my home town Imphal did not tell me that I had AIDS. It was later in Guwahati, doctors told me about that I was HIV positive and then all hell broke loose. Everything was dark in front of me and I had lost all hopes," Pradip Kumar said. In fact, it was the turning point of his life as he shunned all his "bad habits" and started witnessing existence from a different perspective by taking up carcass building. "God gives everybody a chance and I took up cadaver structure thinking it as a chance to prove myself all over again. I took up body construction seriously and all my perseverance paid off in November 2006 when I got a silver medal in the Mr Manipur competition," he said, recalling about his distressful journey. In order to cope with such a serious problem, the doctor often means steroids are drugs that help people cope with the problem.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS

HIV weakens your body's defense system, which makes it condensed for your corpse to battle off other condition problems that it could normally prevent. As period goes on, your corpse becomes less able to battle off diseases.

Today, women account for about 1 in 4 new HIV/AIDS cases in the United States. Of these newly infected women, about 2 in 3 are African-American. Most of these women got HIV from having unprotected sex with a man.

Some reasons why African-American women are artificial by HIV/AIDS more than women of other races comprise:
   Poverty — One in 4 African-American women lives in poverty, which is strongly linked to HIV danger. People living in poverty also get lower-quality condition anxiety in general, which can mean advancing from HIV infection to AIDS more rapidly.
   Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — HIV is most commonly spread to women through sexual conjunction. Untreated STIs that break the skin, such as genital herpes, give HIV simple access into the bloodstream. African-American women have high rates of many STIs.
   The number of people living with HIV (prevalence) in African-American communities and the fact that African-Americans are more likely to have sex with partners of the same race (compared to other groups) means that African-Americans visage a greater danger of HIV infection with each new reproductive encounter.

Hepatitis B Testing and Vaccination

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are blood borne viruses transmitted primarily through reproductive contact and injection medication use. Because of these shared modes of transfer, a high proportion of adults at risk for HIV infection are also at risk for HBV infection. HIV-categorical persons who become infected with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) are at increased danger for developing chronic HBV infection and should be tested. In adding, persons who are co-infected with HIV and HBV can have serious medical complications, including an increased danger for liver-related morbidity and mortality.
About one quarter of HIV-infected persons in the United States are also infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is a blood borne virus transmitted through direct conjunction with the blood of an infected individual. Thus, confection with HIV and HCV is ordinary (50%–90%) among HIV-infected injection medicament users. HCV is one of the most significant causes of persistent liver disease in the United States and HCV infection progresses more quickly to liver harm in HIV-infected persons. HCV infection may also impact the course and management of HIV infection.

Testosterone supplementation for persons with HIV infection

Testosterone supplementation is extensively used for persons with HIV infection. A latest chart review of the electronic medical register at the San Francisco General Hospital HIV clinic indicated that approaching 11% of 1,400 man patients were receiving androgen replacement. In the years when there was no effectual treatment for HIV, testosterone was useful for the treatment of wasting attributable to HIV. In 2011, however, when the great majority of patients with HIV can expect to have improved health and life expectancy through effectual treatment with ART, even in the proximity of medication-resistant HIV, it is time to reexamine the risks and benefits of extensive-term testosterone supplementation for HIV-infected men. Hypogonadism, defined as decreased testicular production of testosterone, occurs commonly with HIV infection and chronic disorder. However, establishing an accurate laboratory confirmation of a correct hypogonadal state can be challenging and, if not done appropriately, may lead to a mistaken diagnosis of hypogonadism and unbefitting testosterone replacement. Total testosterone should be regulated in the morning, when testosterone levels are highest. A low totality testosterone measuring warrants repeat testing for confirmation. Random non-morning testosterone measurements may not be exact indicators of hypogonadism.

The symptomatology of HIV

The symptomatology of HIV is different and varies with the position of infection. Many of the symptoms associated to prematurely infection are due to body's immediate response to the virus itself, wherein the immune process is activated in the presence of a foreign agent. The symptoms are, therefore, a end result of the inflammation that occurs when the body actively fights an infection. The incubation period is immediately followed by "acute reconversion," wherein the body's immune defenses are fully activated and in combat with the infecting virus. The symptoms that accompany reconversion can be mild and simply mistaken for the flu or mono. For some, there are no symptoms. For others, however, the effects can be far more definite and extensive-permanent.
At least half of those infected will involvement the following symptoms during acute reconversion:
    Fever
    Migraine
    Night sweats
    Malaise (a vague sensitivity of body distress or uneasiness)
    Myalgia (a generalized, muscular ache or pain)
    Rash (eczema-like in appearance and usually distributed around the upper parts of the corpse and palms of the hands).

Antiviral remedy

The classic of heed for anyone on antiviral remedy is highly brisk antiretroviral usage (HAART) using heroins along at minimum couple offbeat devices of excitement (for ideal, twin NRTIs plus either an NNRTI or a protease inhibitor). Past circle, HIV can manifest mutations that generate it immune to uppers. For this mind, persons who own extra treatment knowledge might demand yet opiates to rear an efficient procedure. By targeting manifold actions in the viral autobiography-cycle simultaneously, the emergence of opposition can be slowed or prevented.

Researchers retain also explored alternative approaches for treating HIV, such as inhibiting cellular constituents the virus demands for its replication, gene remedy that shelters compartments from contagion, moreover removal of jails that are previously infected. Numerous of these approaches are empirical besides several reside just hypothetical. Nevertheless there is witness that complementary therapies such as nutrient appendixs – secondhand in association along antiretroviral remedy – can edify the total shape of persons among HIV.
Stretch viral cargo repression is considered an sign of efficient cure, the remote destination of remedy is to retain free object, accrue illness-free survival, moreover decrease mortality. Already HIV replication is controlled, a human’s CD4 dungeon reckon typically looms done day, still this arrives also slowly in few meeks. Researchers are studying various lanes to foster resistant computer reconstitution furthermore HIV-individual resistant echo. Efficient antiretroviral treatment has dramatically improved survival besides lowered the incidence of opportunistic illnesses also else statuss cognate to immune repression in persons beside HIV. However very stays to be scholarly about tedious-word treatment, including whether it is probable to totally eliminate HIV from the group.

Symptoms and Treatment of HIV

Symptoms of HIV:
The first stage of the infection is called the 'primary HIV infection'. The persons infected by this virus, about more than half of the people develop the symptoms, generally in about 15 to 45 days of the infection. The symptoms would comprise of pain in the joints, fever, muscle pain, sore throat, and swelling in the glands, getting tired out faster than usual and appearance of a spotty rash on the chest.

Generally the symptoms are quite mild and you would tend to link them to some other problem like fever or cold. These symptoms do not show any increment for a long period. This is called 'Asymptomatic HIV infection'.

This virus is internally growing and even damaging the immune system. If the virus is left and not treated, it in turn will bring down the number of the CD4 cells in the body to a very low level and this would cause the immune system to stop functioning. This damage caused to the immune system generally happening in over a period of ten years. This in turn would inexorably result in growing into a severe infection.

The symptoms of a severe infection would be, night sweats, dry cough, inexplicable loss of weight, high fever which would be enduringly long, vision would start getting blur, the mouth or the tongue would develop white spots, shortness in breath, constant diarrhea or even glands tend to swell up and this condition would continue for three or more months.

Treatment of HIV:The first step would be getting referred to a HIV clinic and getting counseled. Then blood tests would be done regularly, these tests would be to keep a check on the viral load and the CD4 cell count. There is no vaccine or medication available which can cure HIV completely. But there are medications like HEART available in order to slow down the speed of the virus and also giving you a longer life span.

AIDS - A Cause of Unprotected Sex

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is known as AIDS in the short form. AIDS is in fact the collection of certain symptoms and infections in the human organism which permanently leads to the damage of the human immune system. AIDS is in other ways considered as the body's defense system which hampers the normal functioning of the body organs to a great extent. The basic cause of AIDS is the two types of viruses, namely the HIV 1 and the HIV 2. Basically these two types of viruses are thus responsible in the performance of the defense mechanism system of the body.

The most common cause of AIDS is considered to be the unprotected sex. Sex without taking proper precaution like condom is very much responsible for AIDS. AIDS is generally transmitted through the semen. It is estimated that more than three million people round the globe had died through AIDS. During the prenatal stage also it is found that the mother will transmit the disease to the fetus before it is born. AIDS is transferred to the blood through the means of transfusion of blood into another's body cell. Besides these, AIDS can also be caused through the use of injections which are not properly sterilized in the process of taking drugs or blood into the veins.

Symptoms of AIDS are not visible at the early stage. But at least after a period of 3 to 6 weeks the symptoms of AIDS can be noticed through certain flu like sickness. Besides these, symptoms like headache, nausea, fever, fatigue, diarrhea, etc. are also considered as other AIDS symptoms. But it can be mentioned out here though these symptoms occur in an AIDS patient; it lasts for only a temporary period of time after which it disappears. Sometimes acute AIDS symptoms also cannot be considered as the symptoms of AIDS, as they may also be found to be very much common to other forms of diseases. Thus symptoms either mild or severe cannot be considered as solely the symptoms of AIDS as other forms of sickness or diseases also witness the similar symptoms. But however, when the disease reaches its critical stage, the symptoms become very much acute thus leading to loss of weight, recurrent fever and also occurrence of certain fatal diseases. AIDS thus totally destroys the immune system of the body totally. AIDS is thus a deadly disease which is the result of unprotected sex, hence to prevent it is to avoid unprotected sex.

Chronic hepatitis

What should someone with continuing hepatitis eat? This is a ordinary have relation and the reply may astound you. There's no unmarried recommended nourishment  because there's not much distinction between a healthful nutriment for someone with lingering hepatitis and someone without! Even though several books and websites suggests otherwise, there are only guiding principles that you should comprehend. With these principles, you and your physician can develop a subsistence that gives your corpse the nutrition it needs without putting additional emphasis on your liver. We all have very almost identical nutritional needs, whether we have chronic hepatitis, or not. These only substitution for people with compensated cirrhosis, which is such extensive scarring (fibrosis) that the liver can't responsibility appropriately. Distinguishing whether a individual with long-lasting hepatitis has cirrhosis and the stage of their cirrhosis determines how much concentration he or she should pay to a special diet. Some people with persistent hepatitis, especially those with intoxicating hepatitis or advanced cirrhosis, may not be getting enough of the fat-soluble vitamins and necessary minerals they need through their nourishment. Your doctor or nutritionist may measure your levels of vitamins A, D and E to stop your clotting period. One solving to this deficiency is using doctor-prescribed supplements. Otherwise you'll need to build certain you get these vitamins and minerals the old-fashioned way: through a balanced fast.

How Do Anabolic Steroids Attack the Brains?

Anabolic steroids effort very differently from other drugs of misuse, and they do not have the same pointed effects on the brains. The most important distinction is that steroids do not trigger quick increases in the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is accountable for the gratifying “high” that drives the misapply of other substances.

However, extensive-designation steroid use can attack some of the same brains pathways and chemicals—including dopamine, serotonin, and opioid systems—that are unnatural by other drugs, and thereby may have a important contact on humour and behavior.

Pervert of anabolic steroids may conduct to aggressiveness and other psychiatric problems, for example. Although many users description perception agreeable about themselves while on steroids, extreme mood swings can also happen, including manic-like symptoms and anger that may lead to energy. Researchers have also observed that users may suffer from paranoid jealousy, exceptional irritability, delusions, and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility.

HIV has a intricate animation-revolution

HIV has a intricate animation-revolution that comprises various processs. Illness sequence comes whereas the virus replicates (repeats) besides contaminates unaccustomed dungeons. The best ambition of HIV therapy – a "salt for HIV" – would compel a habit to eliminate the virus from the form entirely. Fault that, part confidence a "practical usage" can be devised that would concede persons among HIV to exist healthily accompanying the virus minus the demand for current antiretroviral remedy. In the interim, the central ambition of HIV cure is to hinder HIV replication as ample as probable moreover allow comeback of the invulnerable computer. Antiretroviral marijuanas are the backbone of HIV treatment: apiece antiretroviral upper stratum objectives a another rung in the viral being-revolution.
There are a quantity of further applicant opiates in clinical adversity, including undivided in a quality called 'maturation inhibitors', as well as changes in resistant-based strategies.

HIV has a compound autobiography-circuit that embroils sundry procedures. Affliction succession transpires whereas the virus replicates  moreover poisons unfamiliar compartments. The final objective of HIV usage – a "rectify for HIV" – would crave a via to eliminate the virus from the stem totally. Fault that, several dream a "useful panacea" can be devised that would accept persons among HIV to animated healthily accompanying the virus minus the demand for current antiretroviral usage. Stretch neither intent occurs impending, there has been a revival of study against these debates.

In the interim, the pivotal ambition of HIV usage is to backward HIV replication as many as practicable further empower rally of the exempt computer. Antiviral opium's are the pillar of HIV therapy: every antiviral dope caste objectives a sundry procedure in the viral biography-course. These embrace, still are nay restricted to:

    Nucleoside furthermore nucleotide invert transcription inhibitors (NRTIs plus NtRTIs).
    Stop-nucleoside defeat transcript inhibitors (NNRTIs).
    Protease inhibitors.
    Integrate inhibitors.
    Alliance inhibitors.
    CCR5 inhibitors.

How anti-HIV drugs are dispensed

You will get a prescription for your HIV treatment, when you be present at your ordinary HIV clinic engagement, which you take to either the professional HIV drug store (in larger clinics) or to the hospital’s outpatient dispensary. A extreme-road chemist will not usually distribute anti-HIV drugs, unless your clinic has an covenant with a particular chemist.

You should be given supplies to last until your next clinic engagement. Once you are steady on HIV treatment, with an undetectable viral burden, you may be able to order with your clinic to have your HIV treatment delivered to you (see our factsheet for more intelligence on ‘home’ utterance, sometimes also called regional deliverance). You will still need to be present at routine HIV clinic appointments to have your condition monitored. Always produce sure you have enough medication to last until your next clinic assignment. If you think you might run out before this, connection your clinic as soon as possible to organize a further present.

HIV treatment and pregnancy

Antiretroviral drugs are used during pregnancy as an productive means of preventing the transference of HIV from a female parent to her infant. Increasingly, grounds suggests that HIV treatment during pregnancy is not dangerous. Attractive HIV treatment during pregnancy greatly reduces the danger of vanishing on HIV to the infant, so the benefits overcome any risks.

Usually, anti-HIV drugs are not used during the first three months of pregnancy unless you are already on treatment. Parturient women are recommended to start HIV treatment between 14 and 24 weeks of pregnancy (depending on your condition and viral burden), unless you need to take it earlier for your own condition. You may also be recommended to start earlier if you have a expensive viral albatross.

As a woman’s condition improves, her fertility may also enlarge. If you are rational about becoming expectant, it’s recommended you review this with your healthcare together before you try to devise. You should tell your HIV doctor or another colleague of your healthcare together immediately if you become expectant. You can discuss your treatment options with them, and they will often help to arrange your antenatal trouble and drudgery with other standard, such as an obstetrician, to insure you get the appropriate anxiety.

Treating Bravery Spasm Caused by Cancer

Bravery pain can be a syndrome of many different conditions, including cancer, HIV, diabetes, and shingles. For some, boldness pain is frustrating. For many others, boldness pain is incisive and sentience-changing.

Whether it feels like flaming, pinpricks, or unexpected shocks of energy, boldness pain can disorder your lifestyle at domicile and at travail. It can limit your adeptness to get around. Over period, it can pound you down. Studies display that people with nerve pain have higher rates of sleep problems, solicitude, and depression. When you have a serious medical state such as cancer or HIV, dealing with the additional unhappiness of boldness pain can be especially hard. But there is agreeable word. While nerve pain can't always be cured, it can be treated  and there are a lot of agreeable options available.

If you're struggling with coolness spasm caused by diabetes, cancer, HIV or another stipulation, here are some answers. Countless nerves in the corpse convey sensations to the brains, including pain. While we might not like pain much, it does have an significant charge: it prevents damage. When your foot begins to movement on a fastening, it's the suffering feeling that alerts your brains to the risk.

Antiretrovirals for HIV

People with HIV involvement more fast liver illness movement forward, on norm, than people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) alone, and usually do not answer as well to interferon-based treatment. This populace has an immediate need for better treatment options, but adding the HCV protease inhibitors boceprevir (Victrelis) or telaprevir (Incivo or Incivek) can grow the hazard of side-effects and medication-remedy interactions with antiretrovirals for HIV.

Dominique Salmon from Cochin Medical centre in Paris and person investigators with the ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH troop learn about looked at treatment access and outcomes among co-infected patients in a 'real-life' clinical custom background. In clinical trials triple remedy with boceprevir or telaprevir improved retort rates by nearly 30% over pegylated interferon/ribavirin alone, she respected, but trials often have restrictive access criteria that exclude many people who need treatment in the true earth. Salmon did not relate the definite hepatitis C regimens, but telaprevir triple treatment is usually taken for 12 weeks, followed by pegylated interferon/ribavirin alone for up to 36 more weeks depending on beforehand retort, with a brimming 48-week course recommended for people with HIV. Boceprevir triple remedial programme lasts for up to 48 weeks, again with a extensive course recommended for solid-to-manage patients including those with HIV.

After 4 weeks on treatment 69% of telaprevir recipients adept quick virological reply, 80% still had undetectable HCV RNA at the end of the 12-week course of triple remedial programme and 74% remained undetectable at week 24. Boceprevir recipients responded more slowly, with only 20% having undetectable HCV at week 4, rising to 60% at both weeks 12 and 24. Salmon respected that these reply rates were in on the same form as those seen in stage 3 trials. Overall, one-fourth of participants stopped treatment untimely, most often due to non-reply (67% of telaprevir discontinuations and 80% of boceprevir discontinuations). Six patients stopped due to various adverse events, including two cases of flinty anaemia in the telaprevir association.

Skin diseases

Skin diseases have been of major concern recently due to their association with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). The study area (northern Maputaland) has the highest HIV infection rate in South Africa, which made them more prone to a wide range of skin conditions. Fungal infections due to the hot climate and overcrowding households are common in this area, as well as burn accidents due to the use of wood as the major fuel for cooking. It is known that the lay people in this area depend on medicinal plants for their primary health care. However no survey has been done in northern Maputaland to document the medicinal plants used to treat various skin disorder.

Interviews were undertaken at 80 homesteads, using structured questionnaires. The focus was on plants used for dermatological conditions and information regarding vernacular plant names, plant parts used, preparation (independently and in various combinations) and application was collected. With increasingly successful management of HIV, focus has shifted away from AIDS-related complications to other chronic co-morbidities. For HIV-related cognitive problems, the true aetiopathogenesis and epidemiology remains unclear. Rather than a systematic review, this paper presents the challenges and the opportunities we faced in establishing our own clinical service. Papers were identified using Pubmed and the terms "screening", "HIV" and "neurocognitive".

The HIV transmission risk

As previously noted, almost all the studies come from the pre-HAART era. The investigators therefore carried out mathematical modelling work to estimate reductions in the transmission risk in individuals with a suppressed viral load.

To do this they used two different calculations for the relationship between viral load and transmission, derived from studies with heterosexuals in Uganda and Zambia.

The first calculation has been widely used by other researchers. In it, each log increase in viral load is assumed to increase transmission 2.45-fold. While this 2.45-fold relationship is thought to be accurate for viral loads between 400 and 10,000 copies/ml, Baggaley and colleagues believe that it overestimates transmission both at lower and higher viral loads.

The second, more complex, calculation reflects transmission being extremely rare at low viral loads and also transmission rates being pretty constant at higher viral loads.

Using the first method, the HIV transmission risk for unprotected receptive anal intercourse is 0.06%, which is 96% lower than without treatment. However using the second method, the predicted transmission risk would be 0.0011%, which is 99.9% lower than without treatment.

Mycobacterium Avium Complex

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a pandemic disease that can be transmitted by transfer of bodily fluids. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are an estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States of America. HIV causes damage to the body's immune system and reduces the white blood cell count. It renders the body susceptible to infections and diseases. In the advanced stages of HIV, it becomes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC)
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is a serious illness that is seen in the final stages of HIV, when the white blood cell count is below 50. It spreads throughout the body and can be seen in the spleen, intestines, bone marrow, lungs and liver. It causes high fever, diarrhea, chills, weight loss, stomach cramps and unusual fatigue.
Cytomegalovirus
According to the New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center, Cytomegalovirus damages the cells of the retina during the final stages of HIV. This can affect vision and cause blindness. It causes the retina to become inflamed, and decreases vision.
Candidiasis. Candidiasis is an infection that is seen in the final stages of HIV. It targets the mouth, throat and vagina, and causes the development of white lesions. It can cause pain in the mouth and throat, difficulty with swallowing, and burning and irritation in the vagina.

Immunodeficiency Virus

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the T cells or CD4 cells in the blood. The body cannot get rid of HIV like it can other viruses such as those that cause the flu. HIV can develop into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) over time, which can put individuals at risk for development of opportunistic infections.

Although there are several modes of transmission of HIV, the most common are through unprotected sex, sharing of needles and syringes, and transmission from mother to child during pregnancy, birth or breast feeding. Other less common modes of transmission include being bitten by an individual infected with HIV, eating food that is pre-chewed by an infected individual, being "stuck" with an infected object (generally in a health care setting) and contact with open wounds and mucous membranes of infected individuals. Blood transfusions, tissue and organ transplants, and tattoos and body piercings also increase the risk of HIV contraction.

The term AIDS is an abbreviation for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, the late stages of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. After it infects the body, the HIV virus slowly destroys the immune system.

Men with AIDS

Men with AIDS frequently experience chronic or recurrent fevers as a symptom of the disease. A fever occurs when the immune system stimulates an increase in body temperature triggered by the presence of a foreign pathogen, such as a virus or bacterium, in the body. Men who develop fever symptoms may also experience chills or excessive sweating. Profuse sweating may occur most frequently during the night, which can cause men to wake up several times during the night with damp, moist or flushed skin.

Men with AIDS may experience recurrent bowel movements that yield runny, watery or loose stools - a side effect called diarrhoea. Chronic diarrhoea can cause excessive fluid loss and may also lead to significant weight loss. In combination, these side effects may cause an AIDS symptom called wasting syndrome. Men who experience wasting syndrome develop persistent diarrhoea symptoms for at least 30 days and lose at least 10 percent of their normal body mass.
AIDS prevents the immune system from functioning normally, which can increase a man's susceptibility to infections. Consequently, men with AIDS may suffer from recurrent bouts of pneumonia or oral thrush. Infections that occur in men with AIDS may require additional antibiotic or anti fungal treatment to control or mitigate infection symptoms.

Anabolic steroids and immunodeficiency virus

About the successful use of oxymetholone - an oral anabolic steroid sold under such trade names as Anadrol-50 and Anapolon - in the treatment of the wasting syndrome associated with AIDS. The fact that oxymetholone worked, however, must have intrigued other scientists, because several new studies have appeared recently that show an increased acceptance of using anabolic steroids for treating and possibly prolonging the lives of AIDS patients. For example, last July, Australian researchers reported in the journal AIDS (1996) that using an injectable anabolic steroid called nandrolone decanoate appears to have a positive effect on "weight, lean body mass and quality of life" in patients who have tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Nandrolone decanoate is sold commercially as Deca-Durabolin, and a veterinary form is sold under the name Norandren.

Another report published in the same journal four months later showed good results when AIDS patients took an oral anabolic steroid called oxandrolone. Sold under the trade name Anavar (a current version is sold under the name Oxandrin), oxandrolone has for years been one of the more popular anabolic steroids among athletes because of its lack of side effects.

Oblique crunch

The oblique crunch works all your abdominal muscles with an emphasis on your obliques. Pay special attention to form if you have a history of lower back or neck discomfort.
Getting set
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet hip-width apart and flat on the floor. Place your left hand behind your head so your thumb is behind your left ear. Place your right arm along the floor beside you. Bring your elbow out to the side and round it slightly inward. Tilt your chin so your chin and your chest are a few inches apart. Pull your abdominals in.

The exercise
As you curl your head, neck, and shoulder blades off the floor, twist your torso to the right, bringing your left shoulder toward your right knee. (Your elbow won’t actually touch your knee.) Lower back down. Do all the repetitions on one side and then switch to the other side.

Other options
Legs-up crunch with a twist (harder): Lift your bent knees off the floor and cross one ankle over the other. Straight-arm crunch with a twist (harder): Reach for your opposite knee with your arm straight rather than your elbow bent. Reach past the outside edge of your knee. 

HIV Infection

Early HIV infection can cause a range of symptoms, which can be very similar to the flu or other common viral illnesses. These symptoms are sometimes called reconversion illness, or acute retro-viral syndrome. As many as 90% of those diagnosed with HIV will have experienced one or more of the following symptoms, usually within the first four weeks of initial exposure to the virus: fever, rash, headache, feeling generally unwell, aches and pains, mouth ulcers, sore throat, night sweats, weight loss, tiredness, swollen glands, and neurological symptoms like meningitis.

Symptoms typically appear a few days to a few weeks after exposure to HIV and can persists for two to four weeks, although swollen glands may last longer. After infection with HIV, it may be months before the body generates immune cells that can recognise HIV-infected cells or produces antibodies against HIV. The time at which antibodies to HIV appear is called reconversion. Before this time, an HIV antibody test will give a negative result.

In the UK, most sexual health clinics will use a kit which combines both tests, in order to ensure an accurate result. These are sometimes known as fourth-generation tests. If you are concerned that you may have recently been at risk of HIV infection, talk to a health professional about HIV testing. If the risk was in the last 72 hours, you and your doctor should also discuss whether a short-course of preventive HIV treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is appropriate for your situation.

Immunodeficiency syndrome and steroids

AIDS, which stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a chronic condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This life-threatening disease decreases the body's ability to fight off infections from viruses, bacteria and fungi, making the body more susceptible to cancer, pneumonia and other conditions like meningitis that the body normally fights effectively. Nearly 40 million people have AIDS worldwide. Signs of AIDS in men depend on the stage of the infection and the general health of the patient.

Men with AIDS frequently experience chronic or recurrent fevers as a symptom of the disease. A fever occurs when the immune system stimulates an increase in body temperature triggered by the presence of a foreign pathogen, such as a virus or bacterium, in the body. Men who develop fever symptoms may also experience chills or excessive sweating. Profuse sweating may occur most frequently during the night, which can cause men to wake up several times during the night with damp, moist or flushed skin.

Enlarged lymph nodes may appear as a symptom of AIDS in men. The lymph nodes are part of the immune system and help remove toxic substances from a person's blood. Men may notice the development of small, swollen, firm lumps within the neck, groin or beneath the armpits. Enlarged lymph nodes are typically painless, though certain men may notice that the affected node feels sensitive or tender to the touch.
Upset stomach symptoms may occur in men who have AIDS explains. These gastrointestinal symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, which can contribute to appetite loss and fatigue.

Anabolic Steroids refer to synthetic substances or compounds related to androgens, male sex hormones, which help in promotion of the anabolic (skeletal muscle) and androgenic (development of male sexual features) effects.

These steroids can be taken in many forms such as orally or through injections or nasal sprays. Some of the common oral steroids are Anadrol, Anavar, Dianabol, Nibil, Nilevar, Winstrol, and Maxibolin while some of the common injectable steroids are Deca-Durabolin, Drolban, Equipoise, Winstrol Depot, and Durabolin to name a few. It is generally seen that steroid users exhibit symptoms such as premature balding, acne, depression, rapid weight again, jaundice, and rapid muscle development. The abuse of steroids can be associated with higher risks for heart ailments such as attacks and strokes. Such an abuse can also lead to liver damages. Shared steroids, when taken in an injectable form, can lead to bacterial endocarditis, hepatitis B and C, and even HIV/AIDS. Apart from all these risks, steroids can cause many other undesirable body changes such as development of breast and shrinking of genitals in men, deepening of voice in women, and hair loss in both sexes.

When the human body experiences a build up of steroids, ailments such as kidney diseases, stunted growth, hypertension, diabetes, and blockage of insulin can be caused. Women steroid users can face ailments such as baldness, unnatural hair growth, and menstrual irregularities while men can witness breast enlargement, sterility, impotence, and shrinking of testicles.

Some of the other possible side-effects of steroid abuse are anxiety, depression, increased appetite, irregular hair growth, sexual problems, personality changes, sleeping troubles, mania, psychological dependence, decreased sperm production, increased libido, and fluid retention to name a few.