HIV Does It Have A Natural Cure? How Can You Get This Terrible Disease?

The Human immunodeficiency Virus or HIV as it is popularly known, is the virus
that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV causes a person's
immune system to weaken dramatically. The immune system is the body's
defense mechanism against all forms of infection and undesirable intrusions.
When HIV attacks the body's immune system, the body becomes more prone
to infection. These infections are oftentimes called "opportunistic"
infections since the take the "opportunity" of infecting the body at its
weak state. Once infection has taken place, illnesses can occur. Some
of these illnesses can be arrested by a healthy immune system. However, a
considerably weakened immune system will not be able to fight the infection.

Having HIV does not mean that one has AIDS. The HIV weakens the immune system
but AIDS sets in when infections have already take place. AIDS thus
consists of the weakened immune system and the infections that have affected
the body to a great extent.

Individuals who are affected with HIV may not know it. The virus can remain
dormant for weeks, months or even years. Once the virus multiplies, the body
may not even detect it. It may take time for the body's immune system
to respond to the virus. HIV can progress to AIDS when: an HIV-infected
individual's CD4 T cell count drops below 200 cells/mm; an HIV-infected
individual develops an illness that is very unusual in someone who is not
HIV-positive .

The HIV cannot reproduce outside a living host, nor can it survive well in
the environment. HIV cannot be transmitted with handshakes, breaths, or
sharing clothes. There is no evidence that insects can be carriers or
transmitters of HIV.

HIV is transmitted via blood transfusion. There are many ways wherein blood
may be transfused from one individual to another. One example is blood
donation. The other common example is through sexual intercourse, especially
when there are open wounds within the genitals or genital area.

An individual can lessen the chances of acquiring HIV by being careful in
matters that relate to the occasions when blood can be transferred from
one individual to the other.

At present, researchers are still very active in researching on the cures or
alleviations for HIV. Since HIV attacks the immune system, it is important to
take vitamins and minerals that strengthen the immune system. These vitamins
include vitamin A, the B-complex vitamins, and vitamin C. University studies have found that colloidal silver can kill the HIV virus in a petry dish but don't know if it will work in humans

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that contributes to the health of the immune system.
Zinc increases the reproduction of infection-fighting T-cells. Selenium
increases the production of natural killer cells and mobilizes cells to fight
complications that may be arise from HIV.

By Ben W Taylor

HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Too many know as the aids virus that lives in the blood and other body fluids, within the blood or white blood cells of the infected person. Large scale transmit of this virus occur due to unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing of drug injections, infected used in transfusion, and in some occasions through pregnancy when the virus is passed from mother to child. It’s important to understand that people don’t catch aids, they become infected with HIV due to many one of the above listed transmits.

Secondly we need to understand the positive results of HIV that is when the body has been infected by the human immunodeficiency virus. When blood tests are carried out doctors don’t search for HIV but they come across it in our blood, HIV+, HIV antibody positive or seropositive HIV add up to the simple meaning of being infected with positive HIV results. The HIV virus is not a disease it’s a progressive emanation that damages your body immune system.

The HIV virus is best know for targeting the T cells having chances of attacking the cells of the brain, nervous system, digestive system and lymphatic system. Hence the T cells can be referred to as the brain operator of our system, and when these cells are infected our body becomes weak and cannot battle bacteria, cancer, fungi and other parasites, When T cells are infected with HIV it kills the strength of a human progressive and recovery system.

Once HIV infects your T cells then it works like a factory reproducing itself to grow the virus inside the body, which eventually results in the virus moving into the bloodstream. HIV can destroy all fresh T cells repeating its process of reproduction in this manner. The immune system then gets absolutely weekend multiplying this virus all over you, this can be termed as “opportunistic infection”.

A person with a HIV-weekend immune system comes down with one or more of rare opportunistic infections, with low T cell counts it can be diagnosed as an AIDS patient, ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICENCY SYNDROME. AIDS can be thought of the most severe form of HIV disease, all but a handful of medical experts now believe that HIV is the primary agent that leads to the development of AIDS.

By Mehjabeen Poonawala

Comparing HIV 1 and HIV 2

The HIV virus is of two types, HIV1 and HIV2. When worldwide, people generally talk of HIV they refer to HIV1. The relatively uncommon HIV2 is concentrated in West Africa and is rarely found anywhere else. Although there is slight difference there is no cure for the HIV1 and HIV 2 and AIDS.

If we talk of similarities they are as follows-

• Both the viruses are transmitted in a similar manner.

• They are transmitted by sexual contact, through body fluids such as blood, tears and vaginal fluids.

• It is also transmitted through breast milk from a mother to the child.

• Within three to six months both HIV-1 and HIV-2 cause the body to produce antibodies.

• Both HIV1 and HIV2 can develop into AIDS.

When we talk about Differences they are as follows-
• The persons who are infected with HIV2 develop immunodeficiency or a weak immune system more slowly and it is also milder.

• People who are infected with HIV2 virus are less infectious in the early stages than those infected with HIV1.

• It has been said that HIV-2 is less easily transmitted.

• The period between the initial infection and illness is longer in case of HIV-2

• As the virus progresses the infection of HIV2 increases.

• Compared to HIV-1 mostly it is the HIV-2 that seems to be more infectious later in the course of the disease.

• Mostly the cases of HIV-2 are reported in West Africa whereas the cases of HIV-1 are found worldwide.

Subtypes of HIV-1
The HIV-1 is classified into three groups. The “major” group that is M, the group M again has subtypes A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J and K, the “outlier” group O and the third is the “new” group N. It has been found out that more than 90% of the people with HIV-1 infection belong to the group M. Group N is extremely rare and group O is restricted to west-central Africa.

The treatment of HIV-1 and HIV-2
HIV-2 is more difficult to monitor than HIV-1 and the studies are still not clear towards the best treatment of HIV-2. There are some drugs that are used for treatment of HIV-1 but are not effective against HIV-2. Both the virus lead to the threatening disease AIDS.


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Common Myths about AIDS

I cannot have AIDS. I'm safe. You might think that, okay, but you can never be sure of the slightest contact or accident where you might have got in contact with an HIV or AIDS infected person's body fluid. Get yourself checked and then claim it!

Ø I have nothing to do with HIV and AIDS infected. This is as good as saying I have nothing to do with the society. It is our social responsibility to make them feel and home. Until we all understand and accept this, these people will live a sad, disappointed and lonesome life!

Ø It's no good attending AIDS seminar. This again, is as good as not going to school or college! You might not even know when this deadly disease captures you, and it has no cure! Prevention is better than cure, especially when there is no cure.

Ø Older people are safe. Does cold catch you after asking your age? Same is the case with AIDS. Age has nothing to do with it, habits have! Watch your actions and ways! Be aware and careful.

Ø People with AIDS die. They die a gradual death. Their body does not have any immune system, so even a cough can be ghastly.

Ø HIV and AIDS are the same. They are similar and consequential, but not same. HIV is a virus that attacks human's immune system, but it may take a person as long as ten years to go from HIV positive to AIDS infected.

Ø I will get HIV if I share a room with an HIV infected. Not necessarily, though there are chances that you may. HIV is transmitted only through exchange of body fluid, so if that is avoided, then you will not contract HIV.

Ø If I and my partner both have HIV I don't need to bother about safe sex and condoms. As a matter of fact, it's quite the contrary. If you both are HIV positive then you need to be very very safe so that you don't get a more aggressive HIV stain from the other.

Ø Oral sex is safe. No. Oral sex, involves a slight amount of body fluid exchange, though the chances and the amount might b very less. Oral sex is less risky, but it is not safe!

Ø Lesbians and Gays are safe from AIDS and HIV. No. It is as safe as 'normal' sex.


By Tarang Bhargava


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Colloidal Silver and HIV Infection

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the most destructive pandemic in the history. HIV is also known by following names in medical terminology.

* Human lymphotropic virus type III
* Lymphadenopathy virus
* Lymphadenopathy associated virus.

HIV is a retrovirus (a virus that has RNA genome with reverse transcriptase enzyme. With the help of these features this virus makes complementary DNA that can integrate into host organism DNA). It is widely accepted that Montagnier, a French physician along with his teammates discovered HIV in 1983-84.

HIV virus can transfer through blood, vaginal fluid, semen, pre-ejaculate and breast milk. HIV virus may be present in form of free virus particles and virus in the infected cells in these body fluids. The main sources of transmission include unprotected sexual intercourse, transmission of virus from mother to baby (at birth or through breast milk) and contaminated needles. Possibility of transmission of HIV virus through blood transfusions or blood products can be eliminated by screening of blood and blood products before transfusion.

If left untreated, most of the HIV infections may lead to development of AIDS and result in death of the infected.

Till date there is no cure for HIV infections. However, certain medications, generally anti-retroviral can provide relief from HIV symptoms up to certain extent. The main aim of HIV infection treatment is to prevent the deterioration by strengthening body immune system and repairing hormonal balances. Some alternative therapies life herbal supplements and homeopathy medicines may be helpful in preventing reducing HIV symptoms. Natural dietary supplements like colloidal gold, colloidal silver and other liquid supplements may prove to be helpful in prevention of HIV infections. Use of colloidal silver can help you in regulating hormonal imbalances and restrict the growth/affects of virus that can cause HIV infection.

Colloidal silver supplement contains microscopic silver particles electrically charged in distilled water. There are no known side effects produced by colloidal silver as it does not contain any harmful chemicals and is prepared through non-chemical method.

Some researches proved that colloidal silver is helpful in enhancing body immune system and regulating hormonal levels. These properties, accompanied with ‘virus killing’ property, makes colloidal silver one of the best complementary therapies as part of HIV infection prevention.


By Ben W Taylor


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HIV - Related Stigma And Discrimination

The legal definition of HIV or AIDS related discrimination according to UNAIDS is 'the unfair and unjust treatment of an individual based on his or her real or perceived HIV status".

For people diagnosed as HIV-positive, no area of their life remains untouched by the stigma associated with this disease. Whether it is education, housing, employment, insurance or medical service providers, HIV positive people are discriminated by almost everyone.

Discrimination is said to have occurred when a person diagnosed as HIV positive is not treated in the same manner as a person diagnosed as HIV negative in an analogous situation either at the work place, hospital, religious places, social gatherings or rather any other place. Discrimination is the aftermath of a stigma and may or may not be intentional. Whether it is deliberate or not, the fact is that discrimination on the basis of a person's HIV status is not acceptable by law and is a direct violation of human rights.

Certain governments (like the California Government) make certain special provisions under the law for supporting individuals detected with HIV. Under these legal provisions, the employer is required to provide reasonable accommodation near the work place to an HIV positive individual along with certain modifications in the nature of the job or the responsibilities associated with it. An adjustment in work timings, meeting schedules, medical leaves, becomes necessary to accommodate the individual and support him. These reasonable adjustments can be made as long as the individual is productive and does not pose a burden to the employer.


By Pauline Go


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Causes of AIDS

It is a common fad among people that they can contract AIDS by any of the ways they are aware of, but the fact is that one can never get affected by AIDS directly. Usually, it is the HIV virus that reduces and kills the body immune system, and it is a gradual process through which one can acquire AIDS.
This disease is not caused due to any deficiency in the body like other diseases. It can only be 'contracted' through external agents. Usually, it is contracted if there is direct contact of body fluid with the affected person. The body fluid can include blood or sex fluid. Tears and saliva exchange might not be as harmful.

The causes for HIV and hence AIDS are:

1. Having intercourse with an infected person.

2. Sharing needle with someone who is infected.

3. From an HIV infected mother to child.

4. Breast feed by an HIV infected lady.

5. Blood transfusion from an HIV infected person.

6. Any way if the blood from an HIV infected person enters the body (example kissing an HIV/AIDS infected person who's gums bleed).

However, AIDS or HIV is not spread by tears and saliva, though oral sex might lead to it. There are certain cases where oral sex might or might not lead to it, but still precaution is always better than cure, especially when there is no cure!

Medical experts claim that without any medication and HIV positive person (with a healthy balanced diet) might take up to ten years to get AIDS.


By Tarang Bhargava



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Aids and Symptoms

I would like to make it clear that AIDS begins by a HIV infection. When people are infected with HIV, they do not have any symptoms for many years. (could take 10 years or more)

During that period, HIV develops to become AIDS, and infected people can transmit the virus to others. This is the most dangerous point about AIDS or HIV.

Because a HIV-infected person may seem well-looking, while he is actively transmitting virus to other people.

If HIV is not treated or detected, it will rapidly develop and the infected immune system will weaken, at the latest stage it is called AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

Symptoms of AIDS

As I said, symptoms will only occur if HIV is developed into AIDS and the symptoms of AIDS are a result of series of infections called opportunistic infections that do not normally develop in humans with healthy immune.

Why they are called opportunistic infections? Because they do not happen to people with healthy immune. But since AIDS destroys the immune system, they will occur in infected people.

What are common symptoms with AIDS infected people?
They are fevers, sweats, weakness, weight loss, and a series of "rare" infections and cancers.

I will probably discuss these infections later in detail. But I just wanted to make it clear to you about the difference between AIDS and HIV, and when exactly symptoms occur.

In a later stage, aids causes rare cancers, that normally won't affect a healthy immune. Eventually, the patient dies after one of these opportunistic infections.

By Ahmed Fouad Mohamed


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