Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019693 (HIV)
 170,526 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Massage therapy has many benefits. Several studies have shown that massage can actually improve immune system function. However, massage therapy should be used in conjunction with, and not in place of, other therapies. In addition, different types of massage are appropriate for different ailments. Eastern and western massage philosophies, as well as In Touch, a massage therapy program serving people with HIV/AIDS, are described. Contact information is provided.
STEP Perspect 1999
PMID:A healing touch: massage therapy and HIV/AIDS. 1136 62

The First International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Lipodystrophy in HIV took place in June 1999. Speakers discussed various theories on the causes of lipodystrophy, including mitochondrial toxicities. Factors including gender, age, and disease stage seem to affect the risk of developing lipodystrophy, or fat redistribution syndrome. Some studies are investigating the relationship between lipodystrophy and HIV drugs, such as the use of d4T, a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). Contact information is provided.
STEP Perspect 1999
PMID:Drug reactions & lipodystrophy workshop. 1136 65

Issues discussed at the 39th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) are presented. A presentation by Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Health (NIH) on the control of HIV, particularly Alatent pools@ of HIV-infected CD4 cells, is described. Fauci recommends achieving adequate control by having a competent immune system, enhancing the weakened immune system, and purging the reservoir of latently-infected cells. In addition, a presentation on treatment failure by Dr. John Mellors is also discussed in detail. Mellors' suggestions include checking drug levels, studying the rate of progression, and considering prior drug experience, before resorting to salvage therapy. Results of trials featuring efavirenz, abacavir, and Saquinavir are described. Summaries of other topics addressed at ICAAC, including a new class of drugs called fusion inhibitors, are provided.
STEP Perspect 1999
PMID:STEP's review of ICAAC: the ultimate battle must be won by the immune system. 1136 66

Antiretroviral and immunological studies open for enrollment at the University of Washington AIDS Clinical Trials Unit are presented in a chart. The study topics, treatments, enrollment requirements, lengths, and reimbursements are listed. In addition, information on studies examining cervical dysplasia, thrush, and HIV-related weight loss is included. Contact information is provided.
STEP Perspect 1999
PMID:University of Washignton AIDS Clinical Trials Unit. 1136 67

Anti-HIV (antiretroviral) therapy can be very complex, and the question of whether to start therapy as soon as infection is detected or later in the disease progression is still controversial. Questions to consider before beginning anti-HIV therapy are provided. These questions pertain not only to the disease but also to the patient=s psychological state. The conditions under which a patient might consider changing therapy are also discussed. Treatment intensification, adding one or more drugs to a current therapy, is another option. Several studies are investigating which combination therapies are most effective in patients with varying viral loads and CD4 counts. In addition, recommendations from the Public Health Service Guidelines about changing therapy are provided.
STEP Perspect 1999
PMID:Navigating therapy: starting, changing, & intensifying drug therapies. 1136 68

Analogies of HIV progression and the resulting damage to the immune system are described along with research from the 6th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). In one study, people with HIV showed stable viral loads for 3 years; however, decreased immune function did occur during this time. Other studies have shown that viral load and CD4 counts, which are generally seen as predictors of disease progression, vary based on age, gender and race. Each of these differences needs to be considered when examining treatment options and results. And, according to a presentation at CROI, therapy alone is not stemming the transmission of HIV. Some scientists believe that people who do not seek treatment, or who are unaware of their serostatus, are spreading the disease faster than those who are receiving therapy. Testing, counseling, and early treatment access are necessary to slow the rate of new infections. Another presentation at CROI includes evidence that over one-fifth of recently infected people are infected with strains of resistant virus. The researchers recommend that initial diagnosis include genotypic or phenotypic testing to detect resistance.
STEP Perspect 1999
PMID:The life and times of HIV. 1136 53

A debate in Washington State over name-based reporting of HIV cases has been partially resolved with a combination system. Community groups, AIDS activists, and civil libertarians are opposed the use of names; but government health officials on every level say the information is necessary to follow trends in transmission and notify partners for testing. Health officials have tracked the names of people with AIDS for years. Officials claim that obtaining data on HIV-positive people will give a more complete representation of the course of the epidemic and enable allocation of funding for programs. AIDS advocates support anonymous reporting using individual identifiers to protect patient privacy and encourage future testing and treatment. The King County Board of Health (Washington State) played an intermediary role between the advocates and state health officials. The county adopted guidelines that support the reporting of names of people with HIV with protective provisions to maintain confidentiality. The proposed guidelines will be considered by the State for other jurisdictions. Contact information is provided.
STEP Perspect 1999
PMID:Naming names. 1136 54

The case of an HIV-positive man who continually missed critical doses of antiviral drugs illustrates the importance of maintaining a consistent medication schedule. Forgetfulness is the main reason for lack of adherence to medication schedules. Strategies for minimizing this problem are given. Some of the methods include working with a health care provider to find a regimen that fits your lifestyle; using visual references to clarify how to take the drugs; enlisting help from friends and family; using a timing device to provide a reminder; and administering medicine while performing daily activities. Contact information is provided.
STEP Perspect 1999
PMID:Staying on schedule. 1136 55

Cases of Hepatitis C (HCV) are increasing and often go undetected for years. A screening test developed in 1989 has lowered the risk of transmitting the disease by blood transfusion. However, needle-sharing by intravenous drug users and sexual activity with multiple partners increase the risk of contracting the infection. About 9 percent of individuals with HIV are coinfected with HCV, therefore identifying and treating these infections early is important. Initial symptoms of HCV are rare and the disease may go unnoticed for decades. Anyone with risk factors should get tested for HCV antibodies. Based on the results of the initial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, additional tests or a liver biopsy may be recommended. A chart detailing the characteristics and treatments for Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and F is given. Treatments for HCV, including interferon alpha and combination therapy containing Ribavirin, are discussed. A physician may prescribe anti-HIV drugs to combat both infections, but the drugs may also strain liver function. HCV is predicted to be a greater concern as people with AIDS live longer. There is no vaccine to prevent transmission, nor a definitive method for managing the infection.
STEP Perspect 1999
PMID:Double trouble: coinfection with HIV and hepatitis C. 1136 57

A brief overview of the 6th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) is presented. The most clinically relevant presentations at the conference addressed managing HIV with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and activating the immune system to fight the virus. Other issues discussed were an increase in drug-resistant new HIV infections, substitution of efavirenz for PIs, and treatments for lipodystrophy. Presentations on studies of HAART addressed lower transmission of HIV, immune response to new infection, improved immunity toward other diseases including pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and cytomegalovirus (CMV), and the use of immune stimulants after HAART therapy. A retrospective look was given by two doctors about their former treatment recommendations that are now considered incorrect given what is know today about protease inhibitors and subsequent treatment after failure of antiretroviral therapy.
STEP Perspect 1999
PMID:Light at the end of the tunnel? 1136 58


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