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| HIV is not spread by biting insects such as mosquitoes or bedbugs. Some people, however, have a flu-like illness within a month or two of being exposed to the virus. More persistent or severe symptoms may not surface for years after infection in adults, or for two years in children born with HIV infection. Even during the asymptomatic period, the virus is multiplying, infecting, and killing cells of the immune system, especially T4 cells (CD4+). In addition, they also have severe forms of the bacterial infections that all children may get, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), ear infections or tonsillitis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is more expensive and labor-intensive but can detect the virus even in someone only recently infected. Babies born to mothers infected with HIV may or may not be infected with the virus, but all carry their mothers' antibodies to HIV for several months. By then, babies are unlikely to still carry their mothers' antibodies and will have produced their own, if they are infected. While many alternative therapies have turned out to be less effective than initially thought, there is much that can be done to enhance immune function and keep the infection in check. |
| Bladderwrack Coconut Conventional Drug Avoidance Garlic Glutamine MGN-3 Mistletoe Therapeutic Fasting |