Diarrhea is one of the most common side-effects of HAART, and has a huge impact on our ability to go about our days. The good news is that this side-effect does respond to treatment and can usually be managed.
Diarrhea is an increase in the water content, frequency, and volume of bowel movements. It can become a serious problem if left untreated, leading to dehydration and nutritional problems. If diarrhea has just become a problem, it may become serious, please check with your doctor if it does not clear up within a few days.
If Diarrhea is a problem, there are various ways of trying to clear it up. Over-the-counter medications such as loperamide (Imodium) may help, or prescription medications will usually do the job as well.
Another way to attack the problem is through your diet. Stay away from coffee and other caffeinated beverages, as well as spicy or fried food. The BRAT diet really helps, it consists of Banana’s, Rice, Apple juice and Toast or tea.
Do you experience many side-effects that are attributed to treatment? How do you manage them? If you have any questions regarding side-effects, please ask and we’ll do our best to answer. Until next week, be well!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
HIV and Swine Flu (H1N1)
What is Swine flu and is its occurrence relevant to individuals with HIV? Swine flu is only a new strain of the flu virus that has yet to have been in contact with humans. As we have never been exposed to this flu, we do not have any antibodies to it which makes us a little more vulnerable.
Generally taking the same pre-cautions which we usually use, should avoid contracting this flu. The singular most important thing that we can do is hand washing. Other precautions involve of course staying away from those infected, and if the flu is showing up in your area, avoiding crowded places if possible.
If you develop any flu symptoms and you suspect it could be swine flu, DO NOT go to your doctor’s office as this may contribute to the spread. Instead, call your doctor and they will tell you what to do.
How has the Swine flu outbreak affected you? Are you staying in more, or avoiding busier places? How about your tips to help avoid infection? Be well.
Generally taking the same pre-cautions which we usually use, should avoid contracting this flu. The singular most important thing that we can do is hand washing. Other precautions involve of course staying away from those infected, and if the flu is showing up in your area, avoiding crowded places if possible.
If you develop any flu symptoms and you suspect it could be swine flu, DO NOT go to your doctor’s office as this may contribute to the spread. Instead, call your doctor and they will tell you what to do.
How has the Swine flu outbreak affected you? Are you staying in more, or avoiding busier places? How about your tips to help avoid infection? Be well.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Smoking Is Even More Dangerous To Individuals With HIV Than Those Without
If you have HIV and are a smoker, you now have another reason to quit. In recent research done by Syed Kadri at Ohio State University Medical Centre, patients with HIV were found to be twice as likely to experience a decrease in lung function.
The immediate effects of quitting smoking are:
*Within 8 hours, carbon monoxide levels drop in your body and oxygen levels in your blood increases.
*After 2 days, your sense of smell and taste begin to improve.
*Within 2 weeks to 3 months, your lungs work better making it easier to breathe.
*After 1 to 9 months, coughing, sinus congestion, tiredness and shortness of breath improve.
An excellent resource for those who would like to quit, as well as for those who don’t, is the Canadian Cancer Society
How do you feel about being positive and continuing to smoke? Is more information or support needed to assist you break the habit? Be well!
The immediate effects of quitting smoking are:
*Within 8 hours, carbon monoxide levels drop in your body and oxygen levels in your blood increases.
*After 2 days, your sense of smell and taste begin to improve.
*Within 2 weeks to 3 months, your lungs work better making it easier to breathe.
*After 1 to 9 months, coughing, sinus congestion, tiredness and shortness of breath improve.
An excellent resource for those who would like to quit, as well as for those who don’t, is the Canadian Cancer Society
How do you feel about being positive and continuing to smoke? Is more information or support needed to assist you break the habit? Be well!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Interpretating Your Lab Results, Viral Load
Viral load is the term used to describe the amount of virus in your blood ( # of HIV RNA copies per millilitre). The more HIV viruses that are in your blood, the faster your CD4’s will be depleted and your risk of disease and illness will increase.
When first infected with HIV (sero-converting), your viral load may be around 100,000 or more. This will soon drop to around 10-30 thousand until you start HAART. If your HAART regime is working, your viral load should fall to “undetectable” within approximately 3-6 months. This means that you have less than 40 HIV RNA copies per ml of blood. One of the goals of HAART is to keep that viral load at “undetectable”. You can expect to have lab tests anywhere from every 1-6 months once your viral load has stabilized.
We’d love to hear your questions about your viral load, or any other lab results that you may receive. Until next week, be well!
When first infected with HIV (sero-converting), your viral load may be around 100,000 or more. This will soon drop to around 10-30 thousand until you start HAART. If your HAART regime is working, your viral load should fall to “undetectable” within approximately 3-6 months. This means that you have less than 40 HIV RNA copies per ml of blood. One of the goals of HAART is to keep that viral load at “undetectable”. You can expect to have lab tests anywhere from every 1-6 months once your viral load has stabilized.
We’d love to hear your questions about your viral load, or any other lab results that you may receive. Until next week, be well!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Interpretating Your Lab Results, CD4 Percentage
This is the second in a four-part series on understanding you lab results.
CD4 percentage answers the question of what percentage of all blood cells are CD4’s? A normal CD4 percentage is approximately 40%, a CD4 percentage of 20% or less is an indicator that HAART should be initiated. Some doctors believe that CD4 percentage should be used in place of CD4 as it is potentially more active, although not as perceptive to smaller changes . In Canada, our doctors receive the CD4 percentage on the same lab form as the CD4 so we do have access to both.
Do you keep track of your lab results? If so, how do you do it? Next week we’ll discuss viral load. Until then, Be well!
CD4 percentage answers the question of what percentage of all blood cells are CD4’s? A normal CD4 percentage is approximately 40%, a CD4 percentage of 20% or less is an indicator that HAART should be initiated. Some doctors believe that CD4 percentage should be used in place of CD4 as it is potentially more active, although not as perceptive to smaller changes . In Canada, our doctors receive the CD4 percentage on the same lab form as the CD4 so we do have access to both.
Do you keep track of your lab results? If so, how do you do it? Next week we’ll discuss viral load. Until then, Be well!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Interpretating Your Lab Results, CD4
This is the first in a four-part series on understanding you lab results.
“CD4 cells” (“T-helper cells”), are white blood cells which initiate the immune systems response to bacterial, fungal and viral infections. The CD4 count is the number of CD4 cells in a cubic milliliter of blood. (CD4 cells/mm3). A normal CD4 count is anywhere from 500-1,600. After being infected with HIV, our CD4 count will generally drop by approximately 100 cells annually. When your CD4 count is lower than 350, your immune system is weaker and you may get opportunistic infections, current treatment guidelines now suggest starting HAART by this time.
We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about your lab results. Please drop us a note. Next week we’ll talk about CD4 percentage. Be well!
“CD4 cells” (“T-helper cells”), are white blood cells which initiate the immune systems response to bacterial, fungal and viral infections. The CD4 count is the number of CD4 cells in a cubic milliliter of blood. (CD4 cells/mm3). A normal CD4 count is anywhere from 500-1,600. After being infected with HIV, our CD4 count will generally drop by approximately 100 cells annually. When your CD4 count is lower than 350, your immune system is weaker and you may get opportunistic infections, current treatment guidelines now suggest starting HAART by this time.
We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about your lab results. Please drop us a note. Next week we’ll talk about CD4 percentage. Be well!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Coping With HIV
A recent study done in the UK found that the top four needs of HIV positive individuals were all related to mental health. Anxiety/depression, self-esteem, sleep and sex, pose the largest problems to the most people. The study also found that the largest and most often used resources for these problems were friends and family.
Living with HIV is for most people one of the hardest things that they will do in their life. Thanks to science and research, we can now expect to live pretty much as long as those without HIV, but it does take some work. Doctors and clinicians can help with mental health problems, but most of us can get significant help and support from our friends and family.
How do you cope with mental health issues due to being HIV positive? Your friends are always a great place to start.
Living with HIV is for most people one of the hardest things that they will do in their life. Thanks to science and research, we can now expect to live pretty much as long as those without HIV, but it does take some work. Doctors and clinicians can help with mental health problems, but most of us can get significant help and support from our friends and family.
How do you cope with mental health issues due to being HIV positive? Your friends are always a great place to start.
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