Showing posts with label infection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label infection. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Antibodies in your blood against HIV positive results

Soon after HIV infection, the corpse begins to build antibodies that fight the virus. The HIV trial looks for these antibodies in your blood. After about three months, most people have enough anti-HIV antibodies to test positive on standard HIV tests. Some people don’t test positive for six months or even a year, so repeat testing is needed.

The HIV test is plain. Home tests are available. You can also get tested at labs that keep your identity private. You can also get tested by your doctor, and at your public condition department. If you are doing a home exam, or if you order a test from a lab, a positive effect means you should see a doctor to confirm that you’re really infected. If you know you are at high danger of HIV infection and come down with a bad case of the flu, see a doctor right away. It could be the early signs of HIV infection. Tell your doctor about your risk behavior. There are very sensitive tests that can tell if you’ve got HIV and treatment during this very early stage of infection works best.

Before getting tested, think about what your test effect will mean. Most people need help with this, so see a counselor, psychologist, or doctor for advice - or call your local AIDS hotline. Prepare for your result. If you test negative, you may want to talk about how to reduce your future risk. There are many private AIDS organizations that can give you this kind of help. Usually these organizations have "been-there, done-that" counselors you can relate to. If you test positive, you’ll need help deciding what to do. HIV infection isn’t a death sentence. It does mean that you will need to take special care of your health. It also means that you will have to take specific care not to infect anybody else with the AIDS virus.

If you test positive for HIV, you must have medical care. If you don’t have a doctor, a local AIDS organization or AIDS hotline can help you discover one. Get some help from a person you trust. If you don’t have a person like this in your life, get help from a educated counselor. Have this person go with you to the doctor. If you test positive, you have to tell your sex and/or needle-sharing partners that they, too, need to be tested. But you don’t have to tell everybody else. Tell only those people who can support you. If you have children, talk with a counselor about what to tell them and when.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Effect of Human Growth Hormone on Exercise Capacity in Patients With HIV

Over 700 patients with HIV-associated wasting while receiving HAART were randomly assigned to double-unsighted treatment for 12 weeks with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) daily or on alternate days, or to placebo. Maximum exercise intensity increased by a median of 2.35 kJ in the alternate-days group and 2.60 kJ in the daily group but decreased by 0.25 kJ in the placebo group. The median difference between the daily and placebo groups was 2.85 kJ (P < .0001). These improvements suggest that rhGH treatment may enable patients with wasting to perform activities of daily living that would be exhausting without rhGH treatment.

Wasting, characterized by loss of body weight and lean tissue, including skeletal muscle, was a common display of HIV infection before the introduction of HAART. Studies in the 1980s showed that wasting was an independent danger element for mortality in patients with AIDS and that there was a manage relationship between the degree of wasting and the danger of death. Despite the success of HAART in improving survival of patients with HIV infection in the developed earth, weight loss remains an independent predictor of mortality in the HAART interval.

Therefore, HIV-related wasting represents an significant clinical difficulty in the management of HIV infection. A low functional capacity, characterized by low maximal aerobic capacity compared with that of duration-matched healthy persons, is an significant manifestation of HIV infection. This may be attributable to the adverse effects on muscular function from mitochondrial damage that is caused by nucleotide reverse transcription inhibitor (NRTI) antiretroviral medication use, as well as to the loss of muscle tissue, which constitutes part of the wasting syndrome.

Treatment options for patients with HIV-related wasting include nutritional advice and exercise; testosterone replacement treatment is also indicated in men with gonadal dysfunction. In adding, the use of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has attracted increasing attention as a potential treatment, after initial reports that this agent promotes nitrogen retention and protein synthesis in patients with HIV infection.

In an original randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted before the introduction of HAART, treatment with rhGH, 6 mg daily (DD) for 12 weeks, in patients with HIV-related wasting produced signifi -cant improvements compared with placebo in corpse weight, lean cadaver mass (LBM), and practise capacity on a treadmill. Subsequently, a great double-blind placebo-controlled study was designed to investigate the effects of rhGH remedy on exercise capacity, cadaver weight, and body composition in HIV-infected patients with wasting who were receiving HAART. The prime efficacy end point of the study was change in greatest train intensity from baseline to 12 weeks. The initial results of the study have been reported elsewhere. Here we present-day a more detailed examination of the exercise content data from this study and consider the implications of the patient's ability to effect daily tasks without excessive fatigue.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

HIV virus

HIV has long been difficult to diagnose with no consistent or obvious symptoms. However in some cases a rash will develop that can help indicate the existence of the HIV virus, while in others it may be the result of the drugs used to control the condition.
The significance of the HIV rash is - b that it can indicate the presence of HIV in combination with other symptoms and - that it indicates the start of the sere-conversion which means a patient is more likely to test positive for the illness. For all these reasons a HIV rash will significantly increase your chances of diagnosis. Those other symptoms will mostly be flu-like symptoms along with fever, diarrhea, enlarged lymph nodes, headaches, oral thrush (which looks like white spots in the mouth) and neuralgia (muscle ache). In a recent study of 258 people screened for HIV it was shown that a fever in combination with a rash was the best clinical guide to HIV, presenting the best chance of an accurate diagnosis. Rashes caused by the HIV medication however are slightly different. These ‘drug eruptions’ will see the patients experience raised reddish lesions that look like rashes which will cover the whole body. This is often a reaction to Cotrimoxazole which is used to treat the PCP pneumonia in HIV sufferers. Many doctors recommend Retrovir. Retrovir (Zidovudine) is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.
If you already have HIV then and you develop a rash similar in description to those described here then this is likely the HIV rash, though you should see your doctor to make sure. If you get one of these rashes and you are not HIV positive as far as you are aware, but have reason to suspect you could be and this coincides with fever and flu like symptoms, then you may be suffering from HIV and should see a doctor immediately.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

The benefits of drinking vitamins

A fair source of vitamins and minerals – one glass of guava or orange juice can more than adequately furnish your everyday requirement of vitamin C. Most 100% fruit juices are also an excellent source of potassium (which is helpful in maintaining healthy blood pressure) and folic acid (which is recommended for all women of childbearing age as it prevents birth defects and is all right for heart health).

An easy way to get your daily serving of fruit – just a single four ounce glass of 100% fruit juice counts as one full serving of fruit, so if your busy schedule does not allow you to peel and eat an orange, you can grab a glass of juice. Although fruit juice does not contain the healthy fiber that whole fruits do, it is still better to drink some juice rather than get no fruit at all.

Enjoy the benefits of antioxidants and phytonutrients – compounds such as lycopene, lutein, quercetin and resveratrol are significant phytonutrients contained in many fruits that boost your immune combination and defend against illness. The antioxidants that juice contains destroy the free radicals that contribute to the development of cancer and the aging of our skin and organs. Retrovir (Zidovudine) is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

AIDS and health

The result that AIDS is having on American kids has improved greatly in current years, thanks to effective drugs and prevention methods. The same cannot be said, however, for children worldwide. We’ve gotten very fair at minimizing the stigma and treating HIV as a persistent affliction, but what goes away with the acceptance is some of the messaging that heightens awareness of risk factors. Increasing awareness of the danger of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is one goal that health experts desire to attain. Across the globe, the AIDS epidemic has had a harsher consequence on children, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa. Combivir is an antiviral medication containing a combination of lamivudine and zidovudine. These medicines are in a group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medicines called reverse transcriptase inhibitors.According to the World Condition Organization, about 3.4 million children worldwide had HIV at the end of 2011, with 91 percent of them living in sub-Saharan Africa. Children with HIV/AIDS usually acquired it from HIV-infected mothers during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding. Interventions that can reduce the odds of mother-to-child transmission of HIV aren’t extensively available in developing countries. And, the treatment that can keep the virus at bay — known as antiviral remedy — isn’t available to the best part of kids living with HIV. Only about 28 percent of children who need this treatment are getting it, according to the World Health Organization.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

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.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

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.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

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.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

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.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

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.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

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.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

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.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

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.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

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.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

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.


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

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.