HIV/AIDS: A Medical Anthropological Approach - Essay Example

HIV/Aids: A Medical Anthropological Approach Order No. 264000 No. of pages: 9 Premium 6530 Introduction The study of human health, in relation to environment and culture constitutes the field of medical anthropology. It covers populations as diverse as completely isolated communities, as well as bustling urban landscapes. The development in medical anthropology is mainly through a detailed research of the strategies employed by small, isolated groups to survive in their native environment, and this study aids in the design of strategies to help populations in more complex settings. (Elroy, Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective) AIDS has long been a stigmatized disease and although the initial deathly fear its name evokes, is being replaced by a belief that medicines and a holistic approach can lengthen the life span of a person infected with HIV, much needs to be done. James Munroe Smith in his book “AIDS and Society” makes a strong case for an integrated approach towards the care and treatment of AIDS patients, arguing that discrimination, profit motive of medical corporations and organizational contradictions limit the scope of improvement in the research and development of AIDS treatment. HIV is the acronym for Human Immunodeficiency Virus which attacks a person’s immune system. It is a chronic illness, without a cure, and as the immune system is gradually weakened, the body becomes susceptible to other infectious diseases and cancers. When the body loses total ability to combat infection, it is called AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. It is one of the most deadly diseases in the world today, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimates that it has already killed more than 25 million people worldwide, while the number of people living with this virus was 39.5 million in 2006. The population of sub-Saharan Africa is one of those in which AIDS has spread about in epidemic proportions. It accounts for 63% of all HIV positive world populace, of which 32% live in southern Africa. The increase in people infected with HIV has grown over the years in all parts of the globe, but Eastern Europe, East and Central Asia show an alarming rise of almost 70% from 2004 to 2006. This disease shows a marked increase in women. (AIDS Epidemic Update, 2006) In America, the number of people infected is growing rapidly, especially among African-American males between the ages of 25-44. Its effect on African-Americans is seven times more and on Hispanics three times more than on whites. Nattrass, in the book “The Moral Economy of AIDS in South Africa” refers to the relation between AIDS, poverty and economic growth, and says that each is dependent on the other if it is to have positive outcomes. The treatment of AIDS should be conducted in accordance with a policy of social debate which replies to the moral questions attached to the spread of AIDS. The HIV virus attacks the CD4 cells or T4 cells in the human body, which are the cells equipped to fight off illnesses. The HIV virus takes over the CD4 cells, and the body slowly loses its infection fighting ability, and when the CD4 count falls to below 200 per cubic millimeter of blood, infections which take hold of the weak immune system lead to AIDS. The average span for HIV to develop into AIDS, without treatment is generally 8-10 years. When taking treatment for HIV infection, it takes about 15 years for a person to develop AIDS. People infected with HIV are asymptomatic, i.e., they do not exhibit any symptoms, and that is why the disease goes undetected in its early stages. People with HIV show flu-like symptoms, which include fever, rash, lymph modes swelling and muscle pain, which remains undiagnosed, since the only way to ascertain HIV infection is by taking a blood test. Since these symptoms also disappear within a month, the HIV infection is mistaken for some other viral infection. When undetected, HIV infection progresses to AIDS and at this stage, the body may get infected by life threatening diseases, called opportunistic infections, which are termed thus, because they avail of the opportunity to attack a weak immune system. Some of the illnesses which come under this category according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention are pulmonary tuberculosis, Lymphoma, severe bacterial infections, recurrent pneumonia, toxoplasmosis of the brain and several others. HIV cannot live outside a person’s body, and for the virus to be transmitted, it has to enter through a person’s blood stream. It gets passed on when either infected blood, vaginal fluid, semen or breast milk enters another body through an infected persons. Some of the main causes for the spread pf the HIV virus are – Infected Blood When a person is given blood transfusions, and the donated blood happens to be contaminated with HIV virus, the person gets infected. Nowadays, with stringent blood screening and heat treating methods of destroying HIV in blood products, the incidence of infection through blood, transfusions is very rare. Also, the infection through blood occurs only if a large amount of HIV infected is allowed to pass into the person. Contaminated needles One of the most common ways in which HIV spreads is through the use of contaminated needles of injection drug users. When drug users share needles or syringes, the contaminated blood, even in a small quantity, transfers from the infected person. At times, even the unsterilized needles used in tattooing acupuncture and skin piercing cause transmission of the virus. Unprotected and casual sex This is one of the most common and prevalent ways in which the HIV virus gets transmitted. Indulging in sexual contact, without the protection of a condom with a person infected with HIV can lead to spread of the disease. People who are already diagnosed with genital herpes, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis are at greater risk for contracting this infection. Saliva The spread of HIV through saliva is contentions since saliva has certain natural properties which inhibit infection through HIV. Researchers have found HIV in the saliva of people infected by the virus, but the amount of virus present in the saliva is very low to cause infection, but when the lining of the mouth is infected, spread of infection through oral intercourse is possible. Mother to child Unborn babies of infected mothers have a high risk of contracting HIV, during pregnancy or birth, and it is estimated that about one-third to a quarter of infected women pass the virus to the baby. Breast milk form an infected mother also causes the infection to spread to the child. This can be controlled by taking medicines during pregnancy and delivering the child through caesarean section. AIDS has long been stigmatized as a disease which spreads through casual contact, like shaking hands, sharing food, bedding, towels, toilets etc, when nothing could be further from the truth. The chief way in which it spreads is through risky or irresponsible behavior and as such it can be termed a disease arising from deviation from rules of society. It has been found that lax social norms are to a large extent accelerating the spread of the disease. (Mensch et al, 1999) When the government turns active in promoting prevention methods, a decline in AIDS cases is seen as in the US, where federal agencies aggressively pursue prevention programs. These agencies conduct screening tests, counseling and sex education for both infected and non infected persons, distribution of medical aid to infected people and their partners. All these practices have reduced risky sexual behavior by at least 20-30% (Kamb et al, 1998) Diet and Nutrition Over the decade, increasing importance has been given to the management and control of HIV/AIDS where a good diet plays a major role. Recent research in the field of medicine has shown that nutritious food has the capacity to act as one of the most effective and powerful tools in fighting against this dreaded disease. In fact, it has been clinically tested and confirmed that malnutrition has turned out to be the most critical and fatal manifestation for this killer disease. Due to the abnormal cycle of nutrient absorption in the body of an AIDS patient, they require twice the normal amount of daily caloric intake in order to boost protection from the dangers of other HIV related health issues such as malnutrition, wasting away of muscle, starvation because of malabsorption of nutrients due to abnormal metabolism in addition to heightened immuno-suppression. Therefore, modification or adaptation of appropriate dietary habits would greatly help in significantly reducing not only the side effects caused by the medication taken, but also the symptoms of infections from other diseases. By good nutrition we mean getting sufficient amount of both macro and micro nutrients. While macronutrients consist of energy calories, such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats, which help maintain the person’s body weight, the micronutrients consists of vitamins and minerals. Though these micronutrients help to keep the cells in good working condition, they do not prevent loss of weight. Though many of the combination therapies are quite promising, yet they are not without side effects. Therefore if added importance is given to proper nutrition and diet, it could significantly prolong the life of an HIV/AIDS patient. Jan Zimmerman, a reputed nutritionist at the ‘Village Center for Care AIDS Day Treatment Program,’ and a clinical exercise specialist, Sean Crawford, shared some very insightful and valuable information regarding the ways in which exercise and diet supplements, contribute to the patient’s overall health and treatment for HIV. In Zimmerman’s presentation titled Building Health and Healing with HIV/AIDS, she highlighted practical advice regarding the choices made on food and supplements. According to her, these choices form only a part of healthy living. However, Zimmerman feels that emotional and spiritual health lay the foundation for better health and healing. For this side of the healing, she advocates meditation, conversation with relatives and friends, support groups and prayer. Management of medication and its side effects Specialists in nutrition for HIV patients provide a lot of guidance not only to lose or gain weight but also on its side effects such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, bloating/gas, lipodystrophy, disease of the kidneys and wasting caused through medication. Zimmerman advocates or suggests a few Nutritional Healing Principles which could be used for HIV patients with making use of Pharmaceutical interventions – Maintaining normal body weight through the right caloric intake. Avoid wasting by building a healthy muscle mass through strength training or if needed through hormones and steroids. Optimizing digestion by eating 4 – 6 small meals a day and chewing your food properly. Eating less of processed foods and more of “healing foods.” Drinking about 6 – 10 cups of non – caffeinated fluids everyday. Making use of supplements on a very regular basis. By keeping emotional and social isolation at bay because they can negatively impact ones choice on food. Use of Dietary Supplements Dietary supplements are used to give a healthy boost to the immune system. Some of these substances are obtained from turmeric, garlic and Chinese bitter melon, shark cartilage and blue- green algae (spirulina) some of the other boosters are Amino acids, vitamins and minerals. HIV patients are greatly benefitted through these supplements as it helps them to maintain a well balanced healing through proper diet foods. Supplement foods are not substitutes for vitamins but greatly help to enhance the chances of healing according to the needs of the patient. Dietary Supplements For helping to build muscle mass, protein powders are used such as soy, whey and glutamine, but this is not recommended for people suffering from severe diseases of the kidney and liver. Therapeutic multi- vitamins assists in providing 100% of the daily intake of vitamins recommended. For gaining weight, protein intake id recommended, but patients suffering with either thrush or yeast infections should not make use of it. Other supplements include antioxidants such as Alpha Lipoi / Thioctic Acids and Selenium which improves mortality and gives relief from neuropathy and is beneficial for detoxification of the liver. Calcium is used for proper nerve function and also for preserving the bones and muscles. Coenzyme Q 10 is very beneficial in supporting the patient’s energy pathways and also aids in mitochondrial toxicity from the long-term use of antiretroviral substances. Therefore, even though AIDS is not a curable disease, yet there are many combined therapies which are extremely indispensable in prolonging the life of people with AIDS in addition to good diet, nutrition and exercise. In following this agenda, people with AIDS can be assured of not only better health, but also a much longer life. References AIDS: Alternate therapies for AIDS Cure www.lifepositive.com/body/body-holistic/AIDS/aids-hiv.asp AIDS Epidemic Update http://data.unaids.org/pub/EpiReport/2006/03-Introduction-2006_EpiUpdate_eng.pdf BBC - Relationships - Sex and sexual health - HIV and Aids http://www.bbc.co.uk/relationships/sex_and_sexual_health/stis_hivaids.shtml Book reviews http://htc.anu.edu.au/pdfs/Books6_2.pdf Taylre Malkemes Anthropology 475 Paper The Social Implications of http://www.as.ua.edu/ant/bindon/ant475/Papers/Malkemes.pdf Global Healing http://worldpulse.com/wpm/pdfs/WPM_SPRING05.pdf HIV Infection and AIDS: An Overview, NIAID Fact Sheet http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/hivinf.htm HIV Symptoms http://www.epigee.org/health/hiv_symptoms.html What is HIV - World AIDS Day 2008 http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/prev_prog/AHP/resources/other/pdf/DelRioHIV-p03.pdf Read More