This is a revision report for the next generation of readers. The first reports on this blog were made 12 years ago . A new generation has grown up since then. This report goes back to basics.
A person can be infected with HIV through oral, anal and vaginal sex. Some have been infected in blood trnsfusions and infected drug syringes. The virus enters the blood and immune system. The CD4 cells are attacked by the millions. Over several years the person slowly sinks into AIDS.
The virus attacks all parts of the body. The body has no reserves of protein and the virus attacks all protein in the body organs, including the brain, muscles, finger and toe nails and hair. Nails and hair start to break.
When the HIV hits the body, it travels in the blood stream. Some of the HIV particles enter the hiding places in lymph organs and stay until the sufferer defaults on ART. Then these burst out in greater number to attack the CD4 cells again. Please click above:
When Joe Lari and I started the Family Positive Living Training Centre, there were many young people who came to 3 Angels Care.
Most were in final stages of AIDS which meant they were thin and bony with hair falling out. Many found difficulty in talking and thinking clearly. Some had wandered in and forgotten how to get home. They were not on ART that was not available free at that time.
The virus had attacked the villi in the small intestine and prevented the absorption of nutrients which added to weight loss.
Through damage to the brain, the sufferer had slowly moved into AIDS dementia which meant they had fearful delusions and hallucinations about being attacked by evil spirits and people who wanted to do them harm.
With the loss of nutrients and oxygen, the sufferer slowly lost the capacity to go on living. All body organs were slowly collapsing.
These days, there has been a massive change with the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. If taken in time, there is a reversal of the damage to the body and mind.
There must be a regular dosage of ARV without default. There are two lines of drugs, the second if the virus is immune to the first line. A third is available overseas. Then that is the end.
If the body has sunk too low with the onset of AIDS, it is too late and the body can not survive. There are still many people in PNG dying of AIDS which means they are unwilling or unable to seek a regular supply of ARV.
Families have to help their loved ones to go to the nearest clinic to seek supplies of ARV. I know two women in Lae who died of AIDS in the last three years. That should not have happened. People living with HIV can still play an important part in a loving families.
If on ARV drugs, the person must not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. It will block the action of ARV medication and bring death.
It is important that nutrition gives strength to the immune system and slows down the onset of AIDS.
A diet of fruit and vegetables will strengthen the immune system but not cure the body of the AIDS infection. A strong diet will add 1-3 years to life which used to be important when the nation was waiting for ART medication to be made freely available.
We hear of people who reject the ART medication. This may be due to difficulties in resupply, broken bridges, tribal fights, lack of money for public transport to the care centre and family stigma.
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