Thursday, December 11, 2008

Drugs and Experience doctor, their role in AIDS CURE


Drugs

Research ways of life, as described above, also showed that drugs are not associated with more rapid progress of HIV infection.

However, it is not for all drugs. According to the latest figures cocaine, possibly accelerating the development of HIV infection, because this substance contributes to the reproduction of HIV. Cocaine increases the ability of HIV to enter cells of the immune system, preventing cells to produce the protective substance. Some data show that weekly consumption of cocaine and various hallucinogens linked with a higher risk of death, although it is unclear how this relates to HIV.

Until now until the end unclear whether the development of HIV infection from injecting drug use. Some experts suggest that drug use contributes to violations in the DNA of the virus, bringing the virus mutates frequently. Perhaps that is why among injecting drug users often encountered resistance to anti-retrovirals and HIV-associated diseases of the nervous system.

Also injections non sterile tools may be associated with re-infection of HIV and various other infections that may influence the course of the disease.

There is laboratory evidence that alcohol contributes to the development of HIV infection. Like cocaine, it blocks a substance the immune system that prevent the virus to penetrate the cell. Nevertheless, studies on real people have not shown that the use of alcohol as something related to the progress of HIV.

There is evidence that smoking cigarettes increases the risk of opportunistic infections of the skin pneumocystic pneumonia. But with the development of HIV smoking has nothing to do.

Experience doctor

Strictly speaking, this is hardly a risk factor for disease. However, studies show that people whose doctor more experience in the field of HIV / AIDS live longer and remain healthy longer than patients whose doctors have less experience. In one study showed that among the people on stage AIDS risk of death was 43% lower among patients with the most experienced doctors. The same study determined that patients with an experienced doctor quickly receive first aid and specialized treatment, they have better access to a variety of laboratory studies. And that leads to better health when living with HIV.

The II part of genetic genetic characteristics


Lifestyle and other factors

Poverty and homelessness are also associated with the development of HIV infection, possibly because of such factors as poor diet and lack of access to medical care. Also examined lifestyle factors such as psychological health (eg depression), but on this issue there is no single opinion.

In one English study involved 168 people living with HIV for several years. Among them were those who could be called non progressive, such us people whose immune status has remained above 500 cells / ml after more than 8.5 years after infection. Also among them were people with an average speed of development of HIV infection, and the rapid development of HIV infection.

Scientists have collected the most information about their different lifestyles: the use of alcohol and tobacco, sleep, receive vitamin supplements, physical activity, using alternative methods of healing. The results were disappointing: a way of life had virtually no impact on the development of HIV infection. Monitoring of HIV-positive women for seven years has also not shown that life may once have an impact on HIV.

Dangerous sex

There is some evidence that a dangerous sex linked to the development of HIV infection. One study showed that among HIV-positive men who have unprotected penetrating sex, immune status has fallen faster than among men, avoiding risk sex.

Men involved in receiving anal sex without a condom, there is often a sharp decline in immune status. The risk of lowering the immune status grew with each new sexual partner, which does not use a condom.

These studies do not say what the causal link between the dangerous sex and immune status. Perhaps the reason is re-infected with HIV. Also, the reason may be in various sexually transmitted infections. Some researchers even suggest that the semen itself may suppress the immune system.

There was only a few cases of re-infection of HIV. In some cases reinfektsiya hampered by the immune system to contain the virus, or lead to resistance to treatment. As a result, the development of HIV infection is accelerated.

The genetic characteristics


People who have certain mutant genes, cells can be CD4, less vulnerable to HIV. This is due to the fact that these people on the cells lacking the so-called co receptors CXCR4 and CCR5. Both co receptors virus needs to penetrate the cell.

According to data analysis of several studies of CCR5 mutations reduces the likelihood of AIDS by 23% and the CCR2 mutation at 26%. Other studies have identified mutations that reduce the risk of developing AIDS in the 31-39%.

For example, the mutation CCR2 64I is linked to a much slower decline in immune status. Typically, this mutation occurs among Africans and Asians, rather than the Europeans. But mutation of CCR5 delta 32 Conversely distributed among northern Europeans and Scandinavians.

However, the impact of genetic mutations are much more difficult than is commonly thought. Their protective effect associated with the duration of infection, age, injecting drug use and other factors. For example, the mutation CCR2 64I can protect the body only in the early stages of HIV infection. According to some studies active injecting drug prevents certain mutations of protective action. Under the assumptions of scientists is due to the special influence of certain drugs on the immune system.

Some mutations, however, help the virus to enter cells, increasing the risk of HIV transmission and progression of infection.

The genetic characteristics can also affect the "ambassadors" of immune system - chemokinesis and cytokines, which also affects the progression of HIV infection. Studies suggest that cases of rapid progression of HIV infection associated with changes in some of the most important substances that regulate the immune system - interleukin.

There's also a link between the progress of HIV infection and genetic characteristics of antigen immune system - HLA. This antigen is liable to be inherited, and depends on it "launch" immune response. When the various mutations of the antigen likelihood of the rapid development of HIV infection can be changed six times.

Gender

According to contemporary scientific understanding sex does not affect the speed of development of HIV infection. Earlier on this issue was confusing, since some studies have shown that women with HIV progresses more rapidly. Explanation of data such research has been more than trivial - because of discrimination against women, they may be less access to health care and good medical care.

The largest study conducted in Switzerland showed that there was no difference between the progress of HIV infection in men and women. Nevertheless, against women exists and its characteristics. Women immune status begins to decline, with a little more than men's viral load. This may be relevant to the appointment of antiretroviral therapy for her, but that does not mean that HIV progresses more rapidly among women. Also for older women and drug users is characterized by a rapid decline in immune status than men.

Pregnancy

Overall the study helps firmly say that pregnancy does not lead to the progress of HIV infection. Moreover, a study in the U.S. showed that even multiple pregnancy is not associated with increased risk of AIDS.

Nevertheless, some studies that contradict. For example, according to one study, some opportunistic infections, such as bacterial pneumonia, more prevalent in women who were pregnant. But most of these characteristics are very slim. Also, there is evidence that during the 12 weeks after birth for women increased viral load, even before they have to take anti-retroviral therapy.

Meals

Known fact is that a deficit of some vitamins and minerals can lead to a deterioration in the functions of the immune system. There is evidence that the lack of vitamins A and B-12, as well as zinc associated with more rapid decline in immune status. A lack of calories and protein also associated with deterioration of the current HIV infection. Often such shortages lead to problems with digest nutrients and diarrhea.

While not known whether influence over HIV infection by certain food additives. But now we can say that a full meal, rich in proteins, as well as various vitamins and minerals - is one of the most important drugs for people living with HIV / AIDS.

Stress

Severe stress can accelerate the development of HIV infection. Frequent stressful events, such as breaking long relationship, problems at work, financial difficulties, the loss of loved one or arrest - all linked to the progress of the disease.

Strong stressful events in the two years increased the risk of HIV infection in about four times. Stress is important not only in itself. It is also important whether a person feels that he controls stress. People who feel helpless and unable to change anything more at risk of deteriorating health.

What is the "daily stress" does not affect the progression of the disease. The value is just very strong and prolonged stress. Particularly vulnerable to these people who have no social support of friends and loved ones in serious moments of life.

Psychological distress - the most severe form of stress is directly related to the development of HIV infection, but not with life. A study in the U.S. HIV-positive drug users showed that people experiencing distress, most often AIDS has already developed two years after the transmission of HIV.

The path of transmission of HIV


There is conflicting data as to whether the development of AIDS as something related to the transmission of the virus through.

Now most scientists have rejected such theories as insolvent. Apparently, the value is not the route of transmission of HIV, and other factors that may be linked to through the transfer. For example, before some were saying that people who are HIV transmission through blood transfusions, the disease progresses rapidly. However, it does not take into account the fact that if a person transfused blood, the more likely he was at an older age, and may suffer other serious illnesses.

Age

Adult progression of HIV infection is faster at an older age. The most noticeable is in people over 40 years. By some estimates the risk of AIDS is increased by 27-55% with each new decade. In one study, conducted among adult hemophiliac, showed that ten years have remained healthy 86% of people infected by the age of 15 years, 72% of people infected between the ages of 15-34 years, 45% of people infected by the age of 34 -54 Years, and only 12% of infected people aged over 55 years. In one Italian study shows that the progression of HIV infection is increasing one and a half times increase in the age of ten years.

The explanation of this phenomenon may be that with increasing age the immune system more difficult to replace CD4 cells with new ones. Perhaps this is due to suppression activities thymus - prostate, generating new cells CD4. Another explanation is that older persons below the level chemokinesis - substances that interfere with HIV to penetrate the cell.

Also, HIV infection can progress rapidly in young children, especially infants. Slower all HIV progression among adolescents.

It is assumed that the young people the best immune response in the transmission of HIV, bringing the viral load has long remained low.

However, according to latest figures, with access to anti-retroviral therapy effect of age on the progression of HIV infection is reduced. However, according to some studies people older than 50 are still difficult to restore the immune status, even when receiving anti-retroviral therapy.

The development of HIV infection: that it affects, and what's not


The development of HIV infection and its rate depends on many factors, not all of them are known to medicine. Nevertheless, already aware of some causes more rapid development of the disease, or longer maintain health. Some of them are impossible to control, the others may affect not only physicians but also people with HIV.

Changeable forecast

Until 1996, it was thought that 100% of people with HIV develop AIDS in the period from 18 months to 25 years. But even those figures were unreliable. The reasons for this were several:

* Some people develop AIDS more quickly, others slowly.
* The first assessment of progression of HIV infection have appeared as early as the beginning of the epidemic. Then the diagnosis put people in the early stages of AIDS, and it is not surprising that almost all of them have developed AIDS in almost a year.
* With the passage of time, it became clear that most HIV-positive people remain healthy much longer than 1-2 years after infection. Moreover, people can stay healthy from the very beginning of the epidemic, so it was impossible to determine how long, in principle, can continue silent period.

Before the advent of anti-retroviral drugs, scientists have been able to form a picture of "natural evolution" of HIV infection. Left untreated, the average life expectancy of people with the time of HIV infection was 13 years old. Naturally, this meant that someone stage of AIDS appeared before someone at a later date.

Before the therapy the majority of HIV-positive people develop AIDS stage a few years after HIV transmission. However, modern medicine has become not only the ability to control the development of HIV infection, stopping it using drugs, but also identify some factors affecting the changes in immune status and viral load in HIV.

These factors affect how quickly or slowly growing HIV infection, although they themselves do not cause disease. The presence or absence of additional factors did not "guarantee" that people quickly sick. On the development of AIDS affects several factors, many of them are still not known.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The more dangerous viral hepatitis B?


A 1% ill in the acute period can develop very severe, form of the disease. Suddenly, there is growing dramatically and jaundice, a sweet smell of mouth, drowsiness during the day, insomnia at night, may be bleeding from the stomach and intestine. This period may end up dying, but if the man survives, it sure is recovering.

Chronic disease without treatment over 10-20 years could evolve into cirrhosis of the liver in 10-30% of cases. Each year, 10% patients with cirrhosis develop gastrointestinal bleeding, jaundice, increasing the stomach through the accumulation of fluid violated mind, until loss of consciousness, and 6% have a risk of liver cancer on the background of cirrhosis.

What to do if you have signs of hepatitis B?

Call a doctor. There's no need to engage in self. This can lead to the rapid development of chronic hepatitis with the outcome of cirrhosis. Treat with caution to promises to cure hepatitis in the short term, the use of techniques "alternative medicine", "people's means." They still did not deliver.

As one survey and treatment of hepatitis B?

Survey and must be treated with a doctor: infectious disease, gastroenteritis and Hematology. The very treatment of hepatitis B drug that can block the reproduction of the virus began recently, in the early 90-es.

To determine the feasibility of antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B must pass corresponding tests, and it is possible extraction needle liver tissues (liver puncture biopsy) for microscopic examination. Before deciding on the appointment of treatment, the doctor must weigh all the factors: age, severity of illness, the risk of possible side effects of antiviral drugs, the likelihood of response to therapy.

As evident hepatitis B?



Viral hepatitis B may be acute and chronic. From the moment of infection to the deterioration of the well-being held from 42 to 180 days. In some cases, the disease begins with jaundice. However, usually the first signs of disease are common fatigue, malaise, declining appetite, increasing the temperature to 38-39 ° C, can be nausea, vomiting, headache, pain in muscles, joints, cough, runny nose. The disease is subtly - at this stage it easily confused with the flu or cold. All this takes 1-2 weeks, during which some lose flesh on 3-5 kilograms. Then the patients notice darkening of urine, then yellow color scler eyes, and later skin. It starts with icteric period, which lasts for 3-4 weeks. There may disturb pain, lighter calories. The period of recovery lasts 2-12 weeks, is characterized by the disappearance of jaundice, improve the general condition, but is likely to remain a small increase in the liver. In 80-90% of cases is healing. If the disease is delayed until 6 months, then likely move acute phase of chronic disease. Some of the 5-10% of infected adults and 30% of children infected between the ages of 1 to 5 years and 90% is not a vaccine, inoculated newborns born to mothers, sick with chronic hepatitis B disease runs in a carrier, ie no manifestations characteristic of chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis is not always preceded by an acute form. Chronic hepatitis can show itself occasionally incomprehensible weakness, fatigue, very rarely in the period of - the appearance of jaundice and deterioration of general condition, or for a long time does not show itself does.

Hepatitis B



Hepatitis B (B) - one of the most common liver disease in the world, caused by a virus of hepatitis B. In the vast majority of cases of acute hepatitis B patients successfully treated and, importantly, become lifelong immunity to re-infection. But if the infected person, for whatever reason, lowered immunity, severe period of illness goes undetected, gradually during the prolonged infection becomes chronic.

How is hepatitis B virus infection?

Infection with the virus of hepatitis B, mainly occurring through blood. More often it happens when using shared syringes to intravenous drug use, as well as toothbrush and razor, in the performance of tattoos, piercings, manicure, less when you remove the teeth or in surveys in violation of the integrity of the skin or mucous membranes, as well as possible in carrying out operations. That is, the virus can get into your body through the piercing-cutting items and medical instruments, which, with a lack of processing stored pieces of infected blood. When transfusions of blood containing the virus, also happens contamination. If your sexual partner has hepatitis B virus, the probability of infection through semen is 30%, the virus penetrates even through intact mucous membranes. Detection he also saliva, tears, urine, when they hit on the damaged skin and mucous membranes is the risk of infection, but it is very small. Such transmission is possible in the home, more often among children. Revealed the relationship of contracting hepatitis C through a tubes for inhaling cocaine. If the mother has hepatitis B virus, then it may be born infected child. Therefore, all children almost immediately after birth vaccinate against hepatitis B. The virus is found in breast milk, but not a risk to the child not allowed to breast-feeding.

Living with hepatitis C and depression




Living with a chronic disease presents many difficulties. None of us do not usually thinks that one «excellent» day we can seriously sick, so normally we are not ready when it happens. Depression can accompany any chronic diseases, including hepatitis C (HIV) and severely complicate the lives of patients. The most difficult time, when depression can find any, are the times:

• When first diagnosed

• During treatment

• After an unsuccessful course of treatment

• When evaluating lifestyle and their sexual opportunities

• If you have these symptoms HIV, as fatigue and sleep disorders

• When attempting to cope with the progressive hepatitis

• When a person is confronted face to face with death

Treatment of HIV

HIV treatment can be very difficult. Typically, patients start treatment with hope and confidence that the result will be positive. If not, the patient may be disappointed, depressed and oppressed. Such a reaction is normal in such situations. The feelings may be different, and some people may experience a range of negative emotions. Those who just finished the medicine, especially highly vulnerable to the risk of depression. Give yourself time to receive results of drug passed. A prolonged depression or depression that hamper normal life, may require medical intervention, such as psychotherapy or treatment with antidepressants.