Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV is a severe condition wherein the immune system gradually fails. AIDS or Acquired immune deficiency syndrome is the advanced stage of HIV.
When the immune system becomes weak, it cannot defend the body from disease carrying bacteria and other harmful infections. HIV maybe transmitted though bodily fluids like breast milk, semen or blood. It is not transmitted by touch or saliva. HIV may be passed on to another person by:
having unprotected intercourse (anal, vaginal or oral);
an infected mother may transmit the HIV to her child through breastfeeding,
by use of contaminated needles,
or by birth (prenatal transmission)
Symptoms of HIV include: fever, pain in the joints and muscles, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes or glands. Patients with more severe cases of HIV will have diarrhea, weight loss, rashes and fatigue.
A cure for HIV or AIDS is yet to be discovered. However, there are drugs that can slow down the progress of the virus which can keep a person with HIV healthy for several years. There are also holistic treatments or alternative therapies which are believed to aid in the slowing down of the virus. Below are some alternative treatments for HIV
1. Acupuncture – This is a traditional Chinese therapy which uses needles placed along different parts of the body to encourage or channel the flow of good energy or to block bad energy. It is believed to be effective in treating different illnesses. Studies have shown that persons with HIV who underwent acupuncture treatment have experienced less severe symptoms.
2. Chinese Medicines – The Chinese believe in a holistic approach to medicine. This simply means that the body has the innate ability to heal itself from illnesses and disease so long as the mind and spirit are healthy. The Chinese believe that there must be a balance between a person’s “yin” and “yang” which is a person’s life-flow or energy. This balance is achieved by use of herbs and other medicinal compounds.
3. Homeopathy – The concept of homeopathy is to cure like with like. Meaning that when a certain bacteria or substance, when introduced to the body in small doses will allow the body to create or develop a way to counteract the substance when it eventually attacks the body.
4. Siddha Medicine – This involved the use of particular roots, herbs, or metals in order to restore balance and harmony to the body and alleviate the symptoms of HIV. In ancient times, the presence of HIV has already been noted or predicted and certain cures were already being used or recommended.