HIV/AIDS

HIV and the brain
Changes in forms of mental distress
Worrying about infection
Help and Advice
Drug Side Effects
Nutrition & Complementary Therapies

It is worth noting that there are only three ways you can catch HIV: by having unprotected sex with an infected person; from infected blood, either by sharing contaminated intravenous injecting 'works', or through infected blood products (this is no longer an issue in Europe since the intervention of routine screening of all blood products) and finally through direct transmission from an HIV+ mother to her baby. Sexual transmission is the principal route in most countries. Sex can be one of the most wonderful aspects of life and it is possible to have a deeply satisfying sexual relationship without becoming infected with HIV. Nevertheless, despite the availabilty of anti HIV/AIDS drugs that can keep the virus from replicating, there is still no cure for AIDS and in some parts of the world treatment is unavailable or unaffordable.

Being gay doesn't make you any more vulnerable to infection than your straight counterpart.Since 1999 the trend in newly diagnosed HIV infections has shown a greater incidence amongst heterosexuals in the UK than amongst gays. In most parts of the world this has always been the case. The key issue to remember is that HIV is a preventable disease.

Worrying about infection
Fear of contracting the disease can in it self lead to mental distress. There is no way you can tell if a person is infected from the way he looks. It is possible to be infected with the virus and not know that you have it until you become ill, which could be many years later. In the UK, if you are sexually active it is a good idea to have a regular check up at a genito urinary infection (GUI) clinic.

Changes in forms of mental distress
In the early years of the AIDS pandemic, HIV infection invariably led to a break down of a person's immune system resulting in AIDS and death. Instances of severe mental distress were common. However, since the availability of highly active ant-retroviral therapy (HAART) there has been a marked change. Incidents of acute mental distress have fallen whilst the number of cases of HIV+ people with mild to medium depression has risen. The book "Mental Health and HIV Infection" edited by José Catalán gives a very good insight into the issue; there is also a useful 'nam' booklet on HIV & Mental Health (free of charge).

HIV and the brain
HIV can provoke severe forms of mental distress if it enters the brain. Usually, this happens in advanced HIV disease when the immune system is damaged to the point where it is unable to defend the body against infection (AIDS). Without treatment, a person becomes vulnerable to diseases like toxoplasmosis that can lead to dementia. Since the arrival of highly active retrovirol therapy (HAART), disease progression can be restrained and the effects of brain impairment such as loss of short term memory overcome. Click here to read a personal story about recovery from AIDS Dementia.

Drug Side Effects
Although current drugs have improved life expectancy, some can cause unpleasant side effects. Anti- HIV medication, itself can lead to forms of mental distress. Long term use of certain drugs can lead to sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction and depression. It is always advisable to check out the possible side effects before you begin taking drugs so that you know what to expect. If you find the information that comes with your medication confusing or difficult to understand, ask someone to explain them; your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or support organisations are there to to help; if you don't ask, healthcare workers might assume that you don't need assistance.

Adherence, Nutrition & Complementary Therapies
Once a person with HIVbegins therapy it is vital to take medication at the correct times each day without fail to avoid treament failure. If you should suffer unpleasant side effects from your medication, HIV doctors or GPs can offer means of helping you to deal with them. You might wish to seek help from complementary therapies such as traditional Chinese medicine, aromatherapy massage, reflexology to name a few, which have been found beneficial by HIV+ people. Exercise and good nutrition are important elements in coping with living with HIV as well as helping to maintain good all round physical and mental health. It is also a good strategy to build up social, emotional and spiritual support with a network of friends and organization.

Help and advice