Question:

My brother was diagnosed in December 2006. He is now on a cocktail and seems well. T-cell count was 4 now 120 and viral load is 120 [down] from 15,000.

Why do his hands and feet stay cold even in the summer?

I saw in the news that selenium helps retard the AIDS virus. Please tell me some information about the herb selenium.
[This is the news report this reader is most likely referring to: Mineral shows promise on HIV: Selenium is reported to reduce the amount of virus in patients.]

I am not looking for false hope. He has lost over 200 lbs. before being diagnosed. The weight is coming back. He had a bad case of thrush now completely gone.

I need help this is driving me crazy. As we all love our family and don't want death as a final notice.

Answer provided by:

Donna Sweet, M.D.
Professor of Internal Medicine
University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita

It is good that your brother has received treatment and is doing well. As he continues on his medication, he should continue to improve, feel better and gain weight. Cold hands and feet are normal for some people. They just have cold hands and feet. In most cases, it isn't a medical condition that is in need of treatment. However, the key question is what color do his fingers go in the cold? If they go white, then this might be a problem and should be checked by your brothers physician. It is not something that is indicative of HIV disease progression, but could be other things that need to be observed or treated. Thrush (candidiasis) is a common opportunistic infection in people with HIV. It is an infection caused by a common type of yeast (or fungus) called candida. This yeast is found in most people's bodies but a healthy immune system keeps it under control. It can occur months or years before other, more serious infections might occur. Medications are not normally used to prevent candidiasis and there is no way to prevent exposure to candida however it is very treatable when it does occur and taking the medication to prevent it could cause the yeast to develop resistance to the medications. Strengthening the immune system by taking combination antiretroviral therapy (ART or the *cocktail*) is the best way to prevent an outbreak of candidiasis. There is controversy over the benefit or risk of selenium supplements. The current data is not very accurate and well-designed research is needed to accurately evaluate the possible benefits and risks of selenium supplements. They are not recommended for supplemental treatment at this time as it remains unclear if selenium deficiency is a cause or an effect of HIV disease progression and if supplements will help or hurt. In short, the most that can be concluded from these reports is that it remains entirely unknown if selenium supplements offer any benefit or harm, whatsoever. Several studies suggest that low levels of selenium are related to HIV disease progression. One study of 24 children and another of 125 adults has shown that those with these deficiencies were at a greater risk for disease progression and death. However, it's unknown whether or not selenium supplements would make a difference. Other studies suggest that HIV needs selenium in order to reproduce. Some have proposed that when HIV uses all the selenium in a given cell, it may leave that cell to find more selenium by infecting other cells. Your brother is in care and improving. With the treatment that is now available you will hopefully have many years together. I wish you well.

070216
ASKD070203

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, John M. Lloyd Foundation, Roche and Trimeris, John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980,2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.