Biology Week 9: HIV and AIDS


From my limited vantage point, the HIV epidemic is more of a memory then an everyday struggle.  Growing up in the Boston dance community, the late 1980's and early 1990's were shocking times. Friends were disappearing, bodies were weakening and hearts were breaking.  The fear of infection seemed to be the only deterrent from this deadly virus. This over-exaggerated paranoia seemed to keep us safe. I  recall the distressed moment when my 6th grade friend told me that she shared a razor with her father. Many of us were, for the most part, in the dark.

Today 1.1 Million people are living with HIV in the US.  This statistic pales in comparison to the 19 million sufferers in South Eastern Africa.  In 2015, 46% of the total new HIV infections were in this region, 40% of whom are said to be unaware of their condition.  The virus targets lower economic communities who struggle with accession to proper healthcare and education.  Between 2000 and 2015, there has been only a slight decrease in global infections (6%) which is discouraging given the advancements of modern medicine.  The Human Immunodeficiency virus is still a vehemently active killer.

After almost 20 years, there is still no accessible cure. This crafty virus with its high mutation rate seems to be outsmarting Western medical advances.  It seem that profilaxix continues to be the most powerful deterrent. Between 2000 and 2015, global access to HIV Antiretroviral treatment (ART) went from zero to forty nine percent.  These treatments, normally given as cocktail or "combination therapy" to account from mutation rates, serve to keep the virus from advancing and spreading throughout the body. Because HIV targets Helper T cells, who are responsible for orchestrating our adaptive immune responses, it has the potential to completely take charge of its host.  ART helps keep the hijacking to a minumum.

Beyond abstinence and condom use,  Pre-exposure profphylaxix (PrEP) has become a popular HIV deterrent showing significant decreases in transmission rates, particularly among men with male sexual partners.  Originally marketed for the partners of HIV positive individuals, the drug has been also been associated with certain social taboos like promiscuity.  Regardless of reasoning behind its use, this was a huge medical advancement that provides high risk individuals the option to make this choice.  Unfortunately, the dramatic side effects have steered many prospectives away. Further, the lack of availability of PrEP and ART across the globe has kept poorer countries at a disadvantage. Current costs for PrEP are $1300 per month in the US and ART's costs range from 1,000-13,000 per year without insurance.

Chinese Medicine including Acupuncture, herbology and energy work have been shown to help support the body though HIV treatment by strengthening the immune system and encouraging systematic harmony.  Since HIV targets the Helper T cells, a treatment that strengthens immune function in conjunction with antiretroviral treatment has been seen to have positive effects.  TCM is also helpful in reducing the stress and anxiety associated with life threatening illness.  Constant activation of the sympathetic nervous system can have tremendous impacts on our ability to fight infection and the stress reduction associated with TCM treatments can help avoid the infections associated with HIV.  Immune function is based on the ability for the Immune cells to grow, reproduce and do their job within a community of systems.  Each part of this comminity is integral to health and wellbeing of the whole and the vitality of that whole feeds its parts. If an individual is taxed by illness, stress, malnutrition, this will interfere with the ability for the community to fight off disease.  TCM practitioners work with the intention of balancing, integrating and strengthening the entire system to promote optimal functioning and ease the effects of this horrible virus.





References:

http://www.unaids.org/en
https://www.avert.org/global-hiv-and-aids-statistics
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23912819

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