HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

HIV is short for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is the virus that causes the deadly disease AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

HIV destroys the body’s immune system, making the body vulnerable to many infections and cancers. It is not HIV or AIDS that will kill you, rather the series of various illnesses made possible by the initial HIV infection.

There are many risk factors for contracting the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and developing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, such as:

  • Overuse of certain drugs, especially antibiotics or steroids
  • High-risk sexual activity
  • Substance abuse, especially intravenous drugs
  • Preexisting herpes infection, hepatitis, and/or mononucleosis
  • Preexisting sexually transmitted disease, especially syphilis
  • A diet high in processed foods, refined sugars and fat
  • Infection with yeast and/or parasites

HIV infection is most commonly spread through sexual contact with an infected individual, but it can also be spread through shared needles and syringes, infected blood, and from mother to child during pregnancy or through breast milk.

The only tell-tale sign of HIV infection is a mild flu-like illness that occurs 2 to 6 weeks after contraction.

As HIV progresses, symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, and shortness of breath.

During the last phase of HIV infection--AIDS--more serious symptoms begin to appear, such as vision problems, white spots or lesions on the tongue and mouth, persistent headaches, shaking chills, long-term fever, and fatigue.

Home Remedies for HIV:

There is no cure for HIV or AIDS. There is, however, a variety of natural home remedies out there that can help to decrease the adverse side effects of medications for treating AIDS, and improve the overall sense of well-being of people with HIV and AIDS.

Echinacea and Ginseng:

Echinacea and Ginseng are herbs that may prove useful in helping to strengthen and support the immune system in people with HIV.

Test-tube studies suggest that these herbs may help people who have compromised immune systems and to fight off infection.

L-Carnitine:

Research has found that L-Carnitine may be useful in tempering some of the side effects of commonly prescribed anti-HIV medications.

NAC:

Preliminary evidence suggests that NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) may be helpful in improving the immune function in people with HIV, as well as slowing the progression of the infection caused by the virus.

In one study, supplementation with 800 mg of NAC daily improved immune function in people with HIV.