Parasitic infection is usually a sign of an underlying, larger problem. In the HIV+ individual it is the inability of the body to successfully repel or prevent infection because of immunological dysfunction. SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION Parasitic infections may show a baffling array of symptoms, most of which are related to t
Ten years into the epidemic, doctors and researchers are just now beginning to address the complications of AIDS which result in pain, and how to best manage that pain. The relatively primitive state of medical knowledge and practice in this area was apparent to me as I listened to a symposium on pain management in AID
The ACTG brings together twice a year the 1000 or so university-affiliated scientists and physicians, drug company representatives and NIH officials most involved in various government-sponsored trials of experimental drugs against HIV, opportunistic infections, related malignancies and immune system deterioration. One
Four studies once again showed the superiority of Bactrim/Septra as prophylaxis against PCP , when compared to aerosolized pentamidine, both in people who have never had PCP (known as primary prophylaxis) and in those who have (secondary prophylaxis). Two studies from Europe showed Bactrim s superiority to dapsone as w
Two studies looked at combining ganciclovir and foscarnet for maintenance therapy of CMV retinitis after initial treatment with either drug alone. Both drugs are toxic for many people, though each in a different way, and recurrence or breakthrough of symptoms occurs much too frequently. While scientists actively seek n
Scientists are gradually learning more about the frustrating and uncanny ability of HIV to develop resistance to antiviral drugs through mutations in its genetic structure. These resistance-conferring mutations have, for instance, severely limited the early promise of newer drugs like the Merck L drugs and the Boeringh
A recent Annals of Internal Medicine reported on the results of a USC-based study that compared the efficacy of fluconazole to ketoconazole in the treatment of candida esophagitis. Fluconazole was the clear winner. 91% of those treated with fluconazole showed the candida completely gone after the treatment course. In c
Studies are getting underway on the use of ganciclovir as prophylaxis for CMV . The study is open to anyone with less than 50 T-cells who has not had a bout of CMV disease. Two different dosages of ganciclovir will be looked at. One local study site is the Keith-Beer Medical Group; you can call them at 213.931.1463 for
The FDA has apparently expanded its prescribing guidelines for ddI . They now say that ddI use may be indicated not only for those who have failed on or are intolerant of AZT , but also possibly for those who have been on AZT for a period of time.
The T-cell count has become the most widely used surrogate marker for the efficacy of an antiviral. One of the issues with antiviral therapy, however, is that in general T-cell counts rise for the first six months (at best) of antiviral use and then drop back to the level when therapy began (known as baseline). Does th
Occurrence of sinusitis, or infection of the sinuses, is significantly higher among HIV+ people than among those who are negative. One study reported a 59% incidence of sinusitis in an HIV+ study group, in contrast to a 15% incidence in the HIV- control group. Symptoms of sinusitis include headache, nasal stuffiness, a
There have been a number of studies that have focused on HIV transmission from mother to fetus. A recent study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases indicates that transmission may occur any time after conception. Researchers studied 23 fetuses that were aborted by HIV+ women in the second trimester of pregnancy. They
There was an interesting survey published in a recent Journal of the American Medical Association . About 360 physicians in three countries were interviewed during their medical residencies and asked whether, if given a choice, they would treat people with AIDS. In France , about 2% said that th
If you are covered by a group health insurance plan of your employer, you realize how important this benefit can be. You might also wonder what will happen if you quit your job or go on disability leave. In 1985, Congress passed a law that allows you to continue your insurance coverage for a limited period of time. Thi
It is common knowledge that there is now a multi-drug resistant strain of TB which has resulted in very high death rates in people with HIV. There have been calls for quarantine and a view that resistant TB s appearance and spread has been caused by people not taking their medications properly. The truth is that it has
The FDA is considering a revision of their guidelines for the inclusion of women in clinical trials for all types of illnesses. Current guidelines suggest the exclusion of women of child bearing potential from all Phase I trials and from all trials until animal teratology and fetal toxicity studies have been completed.
In this article I have summarized the most important aspects of vitamin therapy. Articles have appeared in the Being Alive Newsletter regarding each of the vitamins mentioned. I have included the issue the article appeared in for your reference.The purpose of this article is to provide information only and should not b
The conference rightfully gave attention to the resurgent epidemic of pulmonary tuberculosis , partly associated with HIV and frightening in the spread of multiple-drug resistant (MDR) strains. It is good to see the new support for rapid research into detection, prevention and treatment, but scientists have a lot of ca
Three studies summarized the trials of Rifabutin (300 mg/day) for prophylaxis against MAC infections. Two large trials of people starting with CD4+ cell counts under 200 (and who were also taking an antiretroviral drug and PCP prophylaxis) both showed a reduction of incidence of new MAC infections of almost 50% in the
Data were presented on the safety and tolerance studies for 3TC , another AZT / ddI /ddC-like antiretroviral drug being developed by the Glaxo pharmaceutical company. While offering no promise of being a real breakthrough in therapy, the studies indicate good reason for beli
The international media-driven hullabaloo over newly reported, unexplained cases of AIDS-like profound immune suppression without evidence of HIV infection was initially met with an amazingly inept response from the CDC, exacerbating the suspicions of many that there is more here than meets the eye. Within a few weeks,
What the hell is ICAAC? you might reasonably ask. It stands for the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, one of the more important annual meetings on infectious diseases and drugs used to treat or prevent them. This year s version was held in Anaheim in October, attended by more than 12,00
We have been hearing about tat inhibitors for some time. Early studies continue to show promise. Unlike the current generation of antivirals, tat inhibitors do work in chronically infected cells. In order to make new virus, HIV requires the presence of the tat gene. Tat is like the master switch of HIV; without it, ver
The basic theory behind combination antiviral therapy is that two drugs taken at the same time may lower the incidence of side effects and slow the development of drug-resistant virus. This is because lower doses of each drug are needed to provide the efficacy of a single drug. And because a combination can be taken fo
It is always good to review where we are, as well as where we are going. Those who feel they have read all they need to know about AZT , ddI , ddC can skip down to the section on the next generation of antivirals. AZT was the first FDA approved a
When the virus enters the T-cell, it sheds its coating. It is then able, through the process known as reverse transcription, to copy itself into DNA. Once the virus has copied its genetic material, the new DNA can integrate itself into the nucleus of the host T-cell. Inside the nucleus through the presence of certain g
Once the cell nucleus holds the HIV genetic material, we say that the T-cell is chronically infected with HIV. Before the point where the DNA gets into the nucleus, we say that the T-cell is acutely infected. The current generation of antivirals ( AZT , ddI ,
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - October 1992
John Alan Cohan
Gay people with AIDS who intend to leave their estates to their partners need to construct ironclad documents to withstand what is almost a certain challenge from excluded blood relatives, according to a report of the American Bar Association. Lawyers have to assume there will be a will contest when a client with AIDS
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - October 1992
Robert S. Gianelli
Health insurance is a critical issue for people with AIDS/HIV. Getting it, keeping it, and using it can prove to be major obstacles in today s health insurance market. It is not uncommon for health insurance companies to discriminate against those with AIDS/HIV believing that such persons pose a serous financial exposu
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - October 1992
Walt Senterfitt
The biggest question I take each year to the international AIDS conferences is: Why don t we have a cure yet and what s being done to change that? My biggest frustration each year is that I bring this same question home with me, not satisfactorily answered. This year, while still frustrated and angry, I came home convi
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - October 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
Burroughs-Wellcome, manufacturer of AZT and a form of alpha interferon, is sponsoring a 76 week study in eight cities throughout the US (the study site closest to Los Angeles is San Francisco). This study will compare the efficacy of the combination of AZT and ddC to that of the combination
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - October 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
Trental is a readily available drug that has been on the market for some five years. This drug is commonly used by the elderly because of its unique property to change the shape of the red blood cells and thus improve overall circulation. Some researchers believe that Trental can be useful in combating HIV wasting synd
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - October 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
D4T is currently being developed by Bristol-Myers, the manufacturers of ddI . This drug works at the same point in the HIV life cycle as AZT , ddI and ddC , and is, like these other antivirals, classified as a reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor.
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - October 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
A national protocol for HIV+ women is currently being developed. Four hundred women with CD4 less than 300 will be put on fluconazole to see if the use of this drug reduces the incidence of candidiasis . For HIV+ women, vaginal candidiasis is a common problem and is seen fairly early in HIV disease (at an average T-cel
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - October 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
A recent Journal of Infectious Diseases included a study out of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Researchers there looked at ten years worth of data (1981-1991) on the survival of men and of women with a diagnosis of AIDS. This study confirmed what we have heard before: over the ten year period, the media
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - October 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
HIV care providers have been trying to answer three major questions. Some of the studies presented at the Amsterdam Conference have provided some answers. The first major question is: does earlier intervention with antivirals really work? An Australian study looked at 994 HIV+ people in the 400-800 T-cell range. Half o
One year ago, the Bush-Reagan administration robbed us of a significant and hard-won victory. Sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the Immigration Reform Act of 1990 swept away many prejudicial exclusion provisions inserted over the years by various reactionaries-of-the-day from Pat McCarran and Joseph McCa
A healthy diet is always vital for your body to work at its best. It can help keep your strength up and prevent weight loss and the breakdown of body tissues. There are some days when you just feel tired and have no desire to eat. This can be caused by infection, pain, worry, or the side effects of certain medications.
How many times have we been exposed to experimental and alternative treatments which claimed to boost the immune system? Have you ever wondered what rationale lies behind the claim that the immune system of people with HIV needs to be boosted like some sort of space shuttle fighting gravity? And is there any potential
Every HIV+ woman should be aware of the clinical trials that are going on throughout the US. These trials offer participants access to new medications or to therapy they might not otherwise obtain. In addition, many of these trials provide free basic health care. The largest number of trials in this country are being c
Dr. Robert Schooley and reported by Walt Senterfitt
The last approach I ll discuss is so-called vaccine therapy. This is something that many people, including myself, thought was a bit bizarre several years ago. We thought it strange that if you injected a little more inactivated virus into people who have tons of virus floating around that you could somehow elicit an i
Dr. Robert Schooley and reported by Walt Senterfitt
The passive immunoglobulin approach is undergoing a community based clinical trial here in Los Angeles. The approach is also being tested to try to prevent vertical transmission from infected mother to child and to prevent transmission to exposed workers or patients in health care settings. One of the problems with thi
Dr. Robert Schooley and reported by Walt Senterfitt
Now what are the aspects of the immune response that might be associated with this power? The two that have been most focused upon are neutralizing antibodies that bind to infectious virus and render that virus either noninfectious or less infectious, and cytotoxic T-cells (a type of T8 cell), so-called killer T-cells,
Dr. Robert Schooley and reported by Walt Senterfitt
What are some the data behind this concept of a relationship between immune response and viral burden? Some of the first data correlating viral burden (i.e. the amount of HIV present in the blood cells and serum) came from Dr. David Ho s lab when he was here at Cedars-Sinai and UCLA. In cross-sectional analysis, he sho
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - July 1992
Dr. Robert Schooley and reported by Walt Senterfitt
The alternative or flip-side of this general immune boosting concept is to concentrate on the other part of the body s response to HIV, the very specific anti-HIV responses of the immune system. The motivation is that the initial or primary HIV infection is followed by a very long period of latency associated with a re
Dr. Robert Schooley and reported by Walt Senterfitt
Another cytokine tested extensively in people is interleukin-2, also know as T-cell Growth Factor. There was a lot of enthusiasm about this substance several years ago. Its major problem in clinical use is its very short serum half-life. This has been partly dealt with by combining it with another substance (called pol
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - July 1992
Dr. Robert Schooley and reported by Walt Senterfitt
As to the cytokines, several have been tried, most extensively the interferons. There are multiple reasons one might consider interferons in the context of HIV. Interferons have direct antiretroviral action against HIV itself. They are immunomodulators with capacity to stimulate immune response against HIV itself as we
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - July 1992
Dr. Robert Schooley and reported by Walt Senterfitt
There are two different general concepts of immune-based therapies. One concept emphasizes AIDS as a viral disease associated with gradual decline of general host immune responsiveness. As that responsiveness declines below a certain threshold, one sees the onset of various opportunistic infections and tumors. The way
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - July 1992
Dr. Robert Schooley and reported by Walt Senterfitt
Dr. Schooley is a leading AIDS academic researcher as well as treating physician, and is chair of the Immune Based Therapy Working Group of the national AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG). His presentation to the LA Physicians AIDS Forum is a good introduction to immune-based therapies, though not intended to be compreh
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992
Siri Sat Nam, M.A.
In the spiritual world, HIV has no power, declared Marianne Williamson, renowned exponent on the Course in Miracles, at a HIV support group. The essence of this statement is more easily grasped when one encounters the innumerable men in spiritual texts beset with seemingly insurmountable circumstances who, through a c
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992
Dawn R.
How much does the medical community really know about the effects of HIV on women? I am a heterosexual HIV+ symptomatic woman who has been HIV+ for twelve years and, although I live with the usual naggings of HIV (herpes, night sweats, low grade fevers, skin problems, gynecological problems, etc.), they have all seemed
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992
Satindar Dua, RD
In the January 1992 issue of the Being Alive Newsletter, I discussed requirements for calories and proteins. Maintaining appropriate body weight and continuing to replenish increased protein demand are important things you can do for yourself. Eating small frequent meals will help to increase intake of calories and pro
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992
Lori Levine
For centuries, bitter melon has been used in the Philippines as a therapeutic remedy in a variety of illnesses such as leukemia, diabetes(before the invention of insulin) asthma, insect bites, menstrual cycle problems, stomach problems, as well as many other maladies. Today, in the United S
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992
Jesse Dobson, head of Project Inform s Immune Restoration Project, worked for more than a year to bring together about 35 leading immunologists and other AIDS researchers from around the US, France , and Australia . With money raised by Project Inform to pay airfare and other expenses, the conference took place in Wash
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
Passive immunotherapy is a treatment for those in the later stage of HIV infection. The process involves taking blood from a healthy HIV+ person, usually recently infected. The donor s blood is rich in antibodies. The virus in the blood is killed and the antibodies infused into the recipient. The hope is that these ant
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
A few months back, we discussed the use of the ulcer drug cimetidine (brand name Tagamet) as a possible immune booster. What we know today is based on a German study conducted in 1988. Thirty-three people with symptomatic HIV disease were put on 1200 mg of cimetidine daily for five months. Researchers found that the me
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
One very new approach to boosting the immune system is the use of a vaccination after infection with HIV. The vaccine is some form of killed HIV. The hypothesis is that, when injected with this vaccine, the HIV+ person develops antibodies to the virus, as happens when first infected, and that these antibodies help to w
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
FLT is an antiviral drug that is identical structurally to AZT , except for one different chemical group. This change appears to make FLT ten to twenty times more potent than AZT. This new antiviral may be very useful for treating patients who have developed resistance to AZT. FLT has shown no cross resistance to AZT.
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
The New England Journal of Medicine recently included a survey of forty-three pregnant women at seventeen hospitals. These women, whose CD4 ranged from 8 to 880, had all taken AZT during their pregnancies and appeared to tolerate the drug well. Researchers found that all forty-five babies born to these women (two women
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992
Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
T-cell counts play a central role in an individual s battle with HIV. We do know that T-cell counts fluctuate and that these counts probably are not the whole story in terms of prognosis. Nonetheless, we make major decisions on the course of clinical care based on T-cell counts. The 1988 International AIDS Conference i
The AIDS epidemic has spawned a proliferation of newsletters such as the one that you are now reading. All these publications are devoted to getting the latest information out to those who most need to know, people with HIV/AIDS. Below is a guide to a number of these AIDS newsletters. Subscription information is includ
The last month has brought news of continuing, gradual expansion of the drug arsenal for treatment and prophylaxis against opportunistic infections. There is, for example, the availability of Rifabutin as prophylaxis against MAC while the FDA considers the manufacturer s application for formal approval.
Since 1978 the non-profit Center for the Partially Sighted has provided comprehensive rehabilitation services to thousands of partially sighted individuals of all ages. The technical definition of partially sighted is that one s best corrected visual acuity is no better than 20/70 in either eye, but better than mere pe
One of the more common conditions which afflict HIV+ patients intraorally are HIVG and HIVP. These are conditions of gingivitis (minor gum problems) and periodontitis (major gum problems) specifically related to HIV+ patients. It is important to note that HIVG and HIVP differ from traditional gingivitis and periodontit
A resurgent tuberculosis (TB) epidemic has gathered increasing attention from the mainstream press over the last few months. The specter of highly contagious and usually fatal multiple-drug- resistant (MDR) strains of TB is frightening public health authorities. These new developments are typically linked to the spread
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
Toxoplasmosis is another opportunistic infection seen in people with late stage AIDS. In a study of over four hundred people with AIDS, researchers found antibodies to toxoplasmosis in about 32%. This exposure rate is similar to that found in the general population; PWAs do not appear to have higher incidence of exposu
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
Rifabutin has been around for some time as part of the multi-drug regimen used to treat MAC . Now the drug s manufacturer, Adria Labs, has announced a treatment IND that uses rifabutin as MAC prophylaxis. Participants must have a CD4 count less than two hundred, have no prior history of MAC, and be on no investigationa
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
Disseminated MAC is being seen more and more in people with AIDS. In Los Angeles County, MAC has become the number one cause of death from AIDS, exceeding PCP , toxoplasmosis, and other opportunistic infections. Now, a study out of Atlanta confirms the increasing incidence of MAC. Researchers at Grady Memorial Hospital
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - April 1992
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
We have reported extensively on tat inhibitors. Tat, you may recall, is a gene needed by HIV for reproduction. If inhibited, of course, HIV is stopped in its tracks. The tat gene is only found in HIV; it does not exist in the body outside of the virus. This makes tat inhibitors a super specific, and hence very exciting
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
The AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) has announced protocol 175 which will study the effectiveness of combination antivirals. This study is being conducted at centers throughout the US. Participants need to have CD4 counts in the 200-500 range. All who take part in the study will receive some form of antiviral therapy.
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
As we pass the fifth anniversary of the FDA approval of AZT , we find two more studies that support the widely-held contention that antiviral therapy is better than no antiviral therapy. Both studies conclude that AZT does appear to prolong survival An Italian study, published in the Journal of the
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
DHEA is a substance produced by the adrenal gland and is a precursor to steroid hormones. This substance is believed to increase the synthesis of interleukin 2 ( IL-2 ) in the body. DHEA is known to protect against obesity, diabetes and perhaps breast cancer. DHEA is also being looked at as a possible treatment for HIV
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
As we have discussed in the past, a major cofactor in the progression to AIDS may be the specific strain or strains of HIV that a person is harboring. Although systematic studies have yet to be done, we do know that there are dozens of strains and that these strains change over time. Now a Dutch group has published a s
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
As we have reported in the past, the Center for Disease Control has formulated a new definition of AIDS that includes anyone whose CD4 count drops below 200. This redefinition was originally slated to go into effect on January 1. The date was then pushed back to April 1. Now, the CDC is telling us that the effective da
Living with HIV has become easier in the last few years due to advances in technology, yet it remains the same in the most important way. HIV has almost become the hip disease of the decade. Even the rich (Aileen Getty) and famous (Magic Johnson) are getting it and are not afraid to tell the world. More mothers are beg
DIFFERENT CLINICAL PICTURE The clinical picture of HIV in drug using populations is significantly different from HIV in other populations.For example, there are almost no cases of Kaposi s Sarcoma in male IDUs who are also HIV+, but there is a five-fold risk of bacterial infection morbidity in HIV+ drug users vs. HIV+
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
Fluconazole was approved by the FDA a couple of years ago and has been used as maintenance therapy for cryptococcal meningitis. For the initial treatment of this opportunistic infection, physicians have used Amphotericin B, a toxic drug that many find difficult to take. Now researchers are asking whether oral fluconazo
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
Cimetidine (brand name Tagamet) was a very popular drug some ten years ago and was first licensed in 1977 to treat ulcers. Cimetidine is one of a class of drugs that works on the stomach directly to suppress acid secretion and is thus a good treatment for ulcers. Over the years, physicians discovered that the drug migh
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
We have discussed passive immunotherapy a number of times in the past. Locally, the HemaCare study is ongoing, with no results yet available. A recent Journal of Infectious Diseases included the results of a study of passive immunotherapy conducted in Paris. This small study compared nine on the therapy to nine only on
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
For a while now, IL-2 has appeared to be our best hope for an effective immune boosting drug. Unlike antivirals, immune boosters do not directly attack HIV. Rather, these drugs build up the body s immune function and keep it able to fend off infections. To effectively fight HIV long term, we need both antivirals and im
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
As we discussed last month, a major cofactor in the progression to AIDS may be the strain of HIV that the person carries. We now recognize that there is a diversity of HIV. A person may harbor several different strains, and these may change over time. A study in Science, out of Oxford University in England, looked at a
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
We know that approximately 30% of the babies born to HIV+ mothers become infected with the virus. We do not know, however, when the baby actually becomes infected. Now, a study of twins born to HIV+ women suggests that infection may occur at the time of birth from contact with the maternal blood and membranes. This stu
Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - March 1992
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
The results of the earliest major study of combination antiviral therapy, ACTG 106, have now been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. As we have reported in the past, this study showed that daily combined doses of 300-600 mg of AZT and 1-2 mg of ddC resulted in a higher rise in T-cells
presented by Mark Katz MD and reported by Jim Stoecker
Last month, two studies on AZT made front page news. The first to be released was the VA Cooperative Study. This study looked at two groups over a period of 3-4 years. The first group, called the early treatment group, began to take AZT when their CD4 counts were in the 200-500 range. The other was the late treatment g
What is the risk of HIV transmission during cunnilingus (oral sex on a woman) or analingus (rimming)? The risk is fairly low, and there are no documented cases of HIV having been transmitted in either of these ways. However, because HIV is present in the vaginal fluid, menstrual blood and feces of an infected woman or
We have heard HIV+ people being referred to in many ways by the media (who are generally uninformed), by our friends, by well meaning providers (also sometimes uninformed), and by the ALWAYS UNINFORMED general public. Since this topic is not going away quickly, we may as well learn the proper way to refer to it. So I t
To be or not to be was Hamlet s tumultuous inner struggle. For an HIV+ person it is To tell or not to tell. Who, when and how to tell friends, family and lovers are all extremely delicate and difficult emotional decisions. The fact is: AIDS makes people hysterical. The media continues to fuel the fires of this hysteri
Those famous words from the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution have been violated many times in the past, and the tradition continues with a vengeance. While we are approaching the supposedly most enlightened era in modern history, the 21st Century, prisoners across the US are afraid for their very live
Joan C. Priestley, MD, and reported by Jim Stoecker
In my own practice, I have developed a healing through empowerment program that focuses on the management of cofactors and on nutrition and metabolic issues. The goal of this empowerment program is to help people maximize their immune system and strengthen its functioning. LIFESTYLE CHANGES In order to successfully man
I use the following to help normalize my intestinal functioning and improve the digestion and absorption of foods and nutrients. I strongly recommend them because they meet my criteria for useful tools in treating HIV or other serious immune impairment: relatively inexpensive, easy to administer and effective for the b
As a yogi/healer who has worked with PWAs and those infected with HIV for three years, I have learned that early intervention and scientific living are of the utmost importance in maintaining health. According to the Ayurvedic system, an ancient science based upon effecting a harmonious relationship between body, mind
Mark Katz, MD, reported by Warren Jones and Walt Senterfitt
Though there is no clear-cut novel agent as yet, a range of immune-boosting therapies are attracting more research attention, vaccine-type therapies in particular. The premise is that an inactivated version of HIV or some component part will, if injected under the right circumstances, stimulate the body to produce neut
Mark Katz, MD, reported by Warren Jones and Walt Senterfitt
Over the holidays, London newspapers headlined: AIDS Deaths Cut in Half by New Drug. It would be wonderful if this were true, but it s not. The study referred to acyclovir, which of course is not a new drug. The news stories reported the premature termination of a study in the United Kingdom ,
Mark Katz, MD, reported by Warren Jones and Walt Senterfitt
One of the most exciting areas of all HIV clinical research right now is work on the tat inhibitors. Tat is a gene present in every HIV particle, and essential to its replication. If a medication can satisfactorily inhibit tat, it should stop the virus. Hoffman-LaRoche s product does this quite spectacularly in the tes
Mark Katz, MD, reported by Warren Jones and Walt Senterfitt
In early January, the manufacturer Hoffman-LaRoche announced that it was stopping a clinical trial that compared DDC to AZT as single-agent therapy. DDC s application to the FDA is still pending. It has been available locally through the Buyers Club and many, many people have been using it for
Mark Katz, MD, reported by Warren Jones and Walt Senterfitt
The January Journal of AIDS also had a useful article examining in detail the experiences of the 10 (out of 44 total) participants in the original Phase I trial of DDI who developed peripheral neuropathy . As many of you know, DDI was approved by the FDA in October 1991 as only the second antiretrovi
Mark Katz, MD, reported by Warren Jones and Walt Senterfitt
A new very techincal study in the Journal of AIDS warrants passing mention. As many of you know, HIV, after infecting a T-cell or other target, uses the enzyme reverse transcriptase to convert its own (RNA) genetic material into DNA for incorporation into the DNA of the host cell. ( AZT , DDI, DDC and othe
Mark Katz, MD, reported by Warren Jones and Walt Senterfitt
Five years ago, we assumed that everyone infected with HIV had the same virus. We ve come to recognize in the last several years that there are many different subtypes and strains of HIV. Five distinct subtypes have been recognized thus far, and these contain hundreds of different strains. Each person who is HIV-infect
This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.