AIDS

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

• Kaposi's Sarcoma (ka-PO-sees sar-KO-muh), also called KS. This is a type of cancer found almost exclusively in people with AIDS. It may first show up on the legs or mouth as purplish-red skin sores that slowly spread. It may also appear in the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. KS in the mouth can be painful. If your doctor thinks you may have KS, he'll take a sample of the tissue for study.
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a cancer that can appear in the digestive tract, brain, spinal cord, bone marrow, liver, or lungs. The signs of lymphoma depend upon the organ it invades.
• Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (NEW-mo-SIS-tis kah-RINE-ee-i), also called PCP, is a lung infection that can invade the rest of the body. Symptoms include fever, breathing problems, and fatigue.
• Cytomegalovirus (SI-to-MEG-uh-lo-VI-rus), or CMV, is an infection that may cause fatigue, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, or muscle or throat pain. The virus can also attack the liver, lungs, eyes, or bowels. Long-term problems may include diarrhea or blindness.
• Toxoplasmosis (TOX-o-plaz-MO-sis), an infection of the brain and spinal cord, may cause fatigue, headaches, seizures, or paralysis on one side of the body.
• Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MI-ko-bak-TEER-e-um A-vee-um), also called MAC, is a common AIDS infection. Signs may include a long-term cough, coughing or spitting up blood, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, weight loss, night sweats, and fatigue.
• Tuberculosis , or TB, is common once AIDS has set in. The main symptom is a long-term cough and, often, coughing or spitting up blood. You may also have fever, weight loss, or night sweats. Other signs depend upon the site of the infection.

Care

• Antiviral: Used to fight HIV itself.
• Prophylactic: Prevents infections and helps keep you healthy.
• Antibiotics and Other Medicines: Fight the infections and cancers that spring from AIDS.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Always take your medicine exactly as directed. If it doesn't seem to help, let the doctor know, but keep taking it until told otherwise. If you've been prescribed antibiotics, be sure to use them up, even if you're feeling better. If a medicine makes you drowsy, avoid driving or using dangerous machinery.
• Make a point of eating plenty of healthy foods from all 5 food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Because the danger of infection is much greater for people with AIDS, take the following precautions:
• • Do not eat raw eggs or undercooked meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables well before eating them.
  • Eat enough food to keep from losing weight.
• You may need more rest. Match your activity to the amount of energy you have. Nap a couple of times during the day, go to bed early, and get up late.
• Use good health habits to keep from getting an infection.
• • Bathe or shower daily to keep your body clean. Wash your hands after going to the bathroom or touching your own blood, semen, vaginal discharge, or other body fluids.
  • Wash your hands before cooking or eating food.
  • Keep your dishes, dining area, and kitchen especially clean.
  • Stay away from people who have colds, flu, or any other infection you could catch.
  • Dental problems are common with AIDS. Brush and floss your teeth each day. See your dentist every 6 months for checkups.
• Alcohol and recreational drugs can further weaken your immune system. Talk to your doctor if you are trying to quit smoking, drinking, or using drugs, and feel you need help.
• Do not touch bird droppings and cat or dog feces. Change litter boxes daily. Wear gloves and wash your hands after cleaning a litter box, fish tank, or bird cage. You could get an infection if you touch turtles or other reptiles or clean their bowels or aquariums without wearing gloves.
• The stress of illness can cause symptoms of its own. You may lack energy, have trouble sleeping, or suffer an upset stomach, mood changes, or loss of appetite. Your head, neck, or back may feel tight. Learn how to deal with stress. Talk to your doctor if you need help.
• Acupuncture, meditation, massage, and spiritual healing may also be helpful. It is important for you to play an active part in the fight against this disease.
• To keep from spreading AIDS:
• • Do not donate blood or other blood products.
  • Do not donate sperm, organs, or body tissue.
  • Tell your sex partners or needle-sharing partners that you are HIV-positive.
  • Do not share needles or other equipment if you shoot drugs.
  • Tell all doctors, dentists, and nurses that you are HIV-positive.
  • Use a latex condom each time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Although condoms do not completely eliminate the danger of spreading HIV, they lower the chances.
  • Do not share razors, tweezers, or other sharp objects. If they cut the skin, they can pass the infection.
  • Do not get semen in your mouth, eyes, anus, or open skin cuts.
  • Do not share sex toys.
  • Do not lick or tongue your partner's anal area.
  • Avoid body- and ear-piercing. It causes bleeding and may spread HIV.
• Women and AIDS:
• • Do not breastfeed. Your milk could infect the baby.
  • A stubborn vaginal yeast infection is sometimes the first sign of an HIV infection. Other genital infections, such as herpes, may also become harder to treat.
  • You should have a Pap smear every 4 to 6 months to check for cancer of the cervix (the lower part of your uterus).
  • Remember that HIV appears in vaginal discharge. Use latex condoms to prevent spreading the virus to your partner.
  • To keep others from touching menstrual blood, wrap each used sanitary napkin or tampon in a plastic bag and throw it away.
• For more information about AIDS call the National AIDS Hotline at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1-800-342-AIDS.

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...

What to Expect While You're There

• Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around your arm.
• Activity: You may need to rest in bed for a while. But even if you are confined to bed, it's important to exercise your legs in order to stop blood clots from forming. Lift one leg off the bed and draw big circles with your toes, then repeat with the other leg. You can also try lying on your side and pretending to pedal a bike. When you're told it's OK to get out of bed, make sure someone is with you the first time you try. If you feel weak or dizzy, sit or lie down right away.
• Blood Gases: This test measures the amount of oxygen, acids, and carbon dioxide in the blood-measurements that are especially important if you're having any trouble breathing. The blood sample for the test is taken from an artery in the wrist, elbow, or groin.
• Blood Tests: You may need additional blood taken for other tests. It can be drawn from a vein in your hand or from the bend in your elbow. Several samples may be needed.
• Chest X-ray: This picture of your lungs and heart will help the doctor find infection, pneumonia, or tumors.
• Fluid: It's important to drink 6 to 8 large glasses of liquid, such as water, juices, and milk, each day, especially if you are vomiting or have diarrhea. Limit coffee, tea, soda, and other caffeinated beverages.
• IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to it.
• Oxygen: At times during your stay, your body may need extra oxygen. It is given either through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose or through nasal prongs. If the oxygen dries out your nose or the nasal prongs bother you, tell your nurse, but don't take off the oxygen on your own.
• Pulse Oximeter: With a little clip connected to your ear, finger, or toe, this machine measures the oxygen in your blood.
• Reverse Isolation: You may be given a private room to protect you from other people's germs. While in the room, doctors and visitors may need to wear gloves, a face mask, or a gown.
• Special Tests: You may need one or more of the following tests to help your doctors plan your treatment.
• Biopsy: For this test, the doctor must remove a small piece of tissue and send it to the lab. To prevent or reduce pain, you will be given an anesthetic. A bandage will be put on the biopsy area after the procedure.
• CT Scan: This test, also called a "CAT" scan, uses a special type of x-ray machine. Before the test, you may be given dye through your IV to make the internal organs show up better in the pictures. People who are allergic to shellfish may be allergic to this dye. If you have this allergy, be sure to warn the doctor.
• Lumbar Puncture: (Also called a spinal tap.) For this test, a sample of the fluid around your spine is collected and sent to the lab. The test can detect infections in the nervous system and reveal bleeding in the brain.
• MRI: During an MRI (also called magnetic resonance imaging), 3-D pictures are taken of your internal organs. Doctors can use these pictures to look for cancer caused by AIDS, along with other problems.
• Medicines:
• Antibiotics: These medicines may be prescribed if you have an infection. They can be given by IV, as a shot, or by mouth.
• Anti-Nausea Medicine: This medicine calms your stomach and controls vomiting. Your doctor may prescribe it if you're taking chemotherapy or pain medicine, which can make you feel sick.
• Pain Medicine: If you're in pain, your doctor may prescribe medicine to be given in your IV, as a shot, or by mouth. Tell the doctor or your nurses if the pain won't go away or keeps coming back.
• Chemotherapy: In this type of therapy, called "chemo" for short, various potent drugs are given to attack cancer cells. The drugs can cure some cancers, and are used to shrink others before they are removed by surgery. The drugs are given by mouth, shot, or IV. They sometimes have severe side effects, and may further weaken your immune system, making infections more likely. In the long run, however, they can help extend your life.
• Radiation: This is another type of cancer therapy, in which x-rays or gamma rays are used to kill cancer cells or prevent them from spreading. Radiation may be used alone, along with chemotherapy, or after surgery, when it is given to kill any cancer cells that were missed during the operation. It can reduce pain, control bleeding, and shrink cancerous tumors. Doctors also treat cancerous lymph nodes with radiation.