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is aids way worse than hiv
#217685 - 12/08/06 09:46 PM
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everything i read or at least the best news relates to hiv it says nothing about AIDS.
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Well that's simply because AIDS is just Advance HIV Disease. It's only an acryonm that has been given to a collection of illnesses and diseases that present themselves after HIV has taken a toll on the immunity system.
We don't fight AIDS. We fight HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
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so is it a lost cause when someone developes AIDS
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As someone with AIDS myself, I agree the majority of literature is related to HIV and HIV prevention. What makes it confusing is that HIV/AIDS is being used interchangeably. Yes - AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV but having it is a different ballgame. You have a body and an immune sytem that has been wrecked by HIV...and the meds will help to repair it and strenthgen it thus prevent opportunist diseases from taking over. I find that the literature tends to "stop" when HIV develops to AIDS...why is that? That does mean we are doomed, hell I ain't going that easy!!!!
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The CDC criteria for AIDS is a CD4 count below 200 and/or an oppotunitistic infection. Once you meet that you have it for life.
Now someone could be find themselves HIV+ and in the hosptial with PCP with a high viral load and a CD4 count under 200. They have AIDS.
Now they start on medication and get a handle on their infection. Their viral load goes down to undectectable and their CD4's go up over that majic 200 and they aren't getting sick anymore, feeling so good they are running marathons (don't laugh, seen it)
They still have AIDS, but they have the upper hand on their virus.
It's only a lost cause if you give up.
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AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIDS , just like HIV, does not have one simple definition. Many people with AIDS have lived a long time. I think it depends on how their bodies adjust to the meds, how resistant they become and what STRAIN of virus they acquire to begin with. Also, it depends on WHEN the person is diagnosed. By that I mean, at what stage in the disease a person is diagnosed. Those who have tested and know their status, and who have been going to a doctor on a regular basis probably have the best chance of surviving for a long time.
My doctor told me: " You must have acquired a pretty benign strain of virus". So I guess what strain of virus you get makes a difference. Maybe somebody has more information on that.
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ScotCharles
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Reged: 05/06/05
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Yes, Virginia, AIDS is way worse than HIV. I have had the virus for 22 years and three months and have had AIDS officially since I was officially diagnosed with PCP with a CD4 of 474 in April 2004. Since then I've had bloody ejaculate, loss of prostate function, neuropathy, liver disease, and downward trending CD4 (although it bounces up to 600 occasionally).
Most doctors today have little experience of people with AIDS as they have a misguided notion that the meds will block the progression to AIDS from HIV. This is not true and never was, HIV will eventually after many decades become AIDS. The horror is that with the new disability guidelines you have to work sick and tired for most of those decades. Dragging yourself to work day after day, drugged by the meds for neuropathy made necessary so that your feet don't hurt so much you can't walk.
Colds will take months to clear and if you fail to get a flu shot early enough, you will get a case of flu so serious that you will be sick for weeks with it. The liver effects will make your joints hurt most days and your hands cramp.
People who have been luckier than I, say that long term HIV infection is no bad. I reply that your time will come when your body will become a prison which tortures you with its slow decline.
Enjoy the healthy time you have and try not to dwell on the future. When you get to the future, God will help you find the strength to soldier through. Many days are happy and full of hope for me, which gives me the strength to get through the bad days when my drug soaked body begs only to be allowed to rest.
Cheers,
ScotCharles
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Life is a river.
Carpe diem.
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rickincattco
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To anonymous about "lost cause"
I have had a low CD4 count for about five years and positive for a total of 13 years now. I was below 200 with out having any opportunistic infections but was "oficially" classified with AIDS. My CD4 haas gone down to 9 (nine) and a viral load over 500k (or whatever the top number they can read is).
Aobut a year ago i started on fuzeon and it has jumped up to 150 (which is big deal from 9) with an undetectable viral load. I do not consider that a lost cause and i am betting my life on it.
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ScotCharles
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Gracious you're the lucky one. I have high CD4 and still get opportunistic infections. No fair for me perhaps, but good show you.
You are inspirational, Rick. I am worried now that my CD4 and viral load are off in opposite directions again, after a short drug holiday to lighten the load on my liver and isolate the cause of a painful neuropathy.
I have decided to go on a Christmas Holiday from worry and shan't see my IDS until after the New Year. You have inspired me, Rick.
Cheers up, mate!
ScotCharles
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Life is a river.
Carpe diem.
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rickincattco
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Greetings ScotCharles,
thank you for the kind words BUT I havent been totally off the hook. During the time of low CD4 counts I have had many "difficulties". I have had all sorts of "I dont know what that is" rashes, Five episodes of pancreatitis (30 days NPO in hsopital). two episodes of kidney stones, C-diff infections, neuropathy of the feet, severe fatigue / exhaustion, and many other minor proplems. I think overall i have done very well and sometimes i do feel bad about being better off than some so i do not forget that there those worse off than myself. my future is understood but AIDS may not get me maybe the crosstown bus might. you never know. take care all.
Cheers
Rick
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