(Akiit.com) It has long been known that infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus or (HIV), cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) which leads to breakdown of the bodies defense system, and a series of opportunistic infections caused mostly by viral, fungal, and amoebic type infections. In recent years, a lot of the hubbub about HIV/AIDS has settled down people have resigned into a blasé irreverence, and yet an unconscious fear of the disease.
H1N1 the so-called swine flu is the new smoking gun in town, with enough panic and mass hysteria to warrant international imposed regulation on travel. Though HIV has taken the lives of millions, hot stuff (swine flu) has taken the lives of hundreds, and yet has warranted such media attention that HIV takes a back seat into the realms of the wall flower…
So let’s give them both a bit of the limelight? What should those with AIDS do about the swine flu? According to the CDC, there is not enough information to accurately determine who is affected the most by swine flu infection. However, those with HIV/AIDS already known to be susceptible to viral infection particularly those of a low CD4 count may be at increased risk of becoming infected with H1N1.
Patients with HIV/AIDS should be ever watchful of flu-like symptoms, which would be typical acute respiratory illness (e.g., cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea) and fever or feverishness, headache, and muscle aches, and see a doctor immediately. HIV/AIDS patients potentially should be looking into some kind of influenza prophylaxis or anti-influenza treatment. One such example of an influenza prophylaxis is as an Influenza vaccine…
For the Health Care provider these patients of course would decline progressively the lower the CD4 count. Sourced directly from the CDC,†The currently circulating swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus is sensitive to the neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral medications zanamivir and oseltamivir, but is resistant to the adamantane antiviral medications, amantadine and rimantadine.†Any suspected cases are to be treated on an empirical basis.
One would hope in conclusion that these diseases will not combine and find solace in one another terrorizing their captive host…who knows H1N1 may even bring much needed attention on the mob boss playing the wall flower behind all the smoke and mirrors.
The CDC has released guidelines for HIV patients and protection of the flu;
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_HIV.htm
Written By Calvin T. Adams |||
Official Website; http://www.Ctadams.com