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- What is AIDS?
- Symptoms of AIDS
- Causes of AIDS
- Prevention of AIDS
- Risk factors for AIDS
- Complications of AIDS
- When to see a doctor about AIDS
- Diagnosis of AIDS
- Conventional treatment of AIDS
- Alternative/complementary treatment of AIDS
- Living with AIDS
- Caring for someone with AIDS
Partner
People with a partner who has AIDS can help their partner through the following strategies:
- Immunisations - anyone who is living with a person who has AIDS must ensure they have had all their immunisations (polio, measles, mumps, rubella), in order to prevent an infection from occurring and inadvertently infecting your partner with AIDS, in which a simple infection from any of these diseases can be fatal to them
- Keep sick people away - anyone who is sick from any type of infection or illness must not be around your partner until they are completely over their infection. Your partner has a lowered immune system and any infection may be potentially serious. Never let a person who has chicken pox near your partner, because a chicken pox infection can kill a person with AIDS
- Laundry - if there is any blood, semen or vaginal fluid on the bed sheets, these need to be handled with gloves and washed separately from other laundry items. They can be soaked in cold water (with some salt added) to remove any stains, then washed regularly in the washing machine. A normal wash cycle should kill the virus, but if you need reassurance, you can add bleach, tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil to the wash
- Protect yourself - if you have any open sores, you must wear gloves around your partner, so you do not infect them (and so they cant infect you either). You must not share your partner's razor, scissors, tweezers, toothbrush or any other personal items that may get some blood in them, as you may get infected yourself that way too. When cleaning, always wear gloves to make sure that you are protected from accidental exposure to any blood or other bodily fluids from your partner
- Safe sex - if you decide to continue to have sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, or oral) with your partner (and you are not infected with HIV), then you must use condoms. Latex condoms can protect you from HIV infection if they are used the right way every time you have sex. Some types of sex reduce the risk of infection more than other types, so talk to your doctor about what is best for you and your partner
- Support - most of all, your partner needs your support and encouragement to know that you are there for them. Let your partner know you are available for them to talk about their feelings and their disease in a respectful and honourable way
The CDC has some great and very detailed information on how to take care of a partner who has AIDS at home.
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Friends
Anyone with a friend who has AIDS can help their friend through the following strategies:
- Stay away if you are sick - if you have any type of infection or illness (even the common cold), you need to stay away from your friend until you are better. The virus that causes the common cold can be dangerous for a person with AIDS, whose immune system is severely compromised and who may get very sick and could die from a simple infection
- Support - most of all, your friend needs your support and encouragement to know that you are there for them. Let your friend know you are available for them to talk about their feelings and their disease in a respectful and honourable way
Parents
Parents who have a child with AIDS can help their child through the following strategies:
- Immunisations - anyone who is living with a person who has AIDS must ensure they have had all their immunisations (polio, measles, mumps, rubella), in order to prevent an infection from occurring and inadvertently infecting your partner with AIDS, in which a simple infection from any of these diseases can be fatal to them
- Keep sick people away - anyone who is sick from any type of infection or illness must not be around your partner until they are completely over their infection. Your partner has a lowered immune system and any infection may be potentially serious. Never let a person who has chicken pox near your child, because a chicken pox infection can kill a person with AIDS
- Laundry - if there is any blood, semen or vaginal fluid on the bed sheets, these need to be handled with gloves and washed separately from other laundry items. They can be soaked in cold water (with some salt added) to remove any stains, then washed regularly in the washing machine. A normal wash cycle should kill the virus, but if you need reassurance, you can add bleach, tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil to the wash
- Protect yourself - if you have any open sores, you must wear gloves around your child, so you do not infect them (and so they cant infect you either). You must not share your partner's razor, scissors, tweezers, toothbrush or any other personal items that may get some blood in them, as you may get infected yourself that way too. When cleaning, always wear gloves to make sure that you are protected from accidental exposure to any blood or other bodily fluids from your child
- Support - most of all, your child may need your support and encouragement to know that you are there for them. Let your child know you are available for them to talk about their feelings and their disease in a respectful and honourable way
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< 11: living with AIDS Last reviewed: 24 August 2007 || Last updated: 15 March 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
