AIDS-HIV

[ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ]

What is HIV or AIDS?

HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a virus which, in its advanced stages, leads to AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. A positive diagnosis of HIV does not indicate that a person has AIDS, but HIV can develop into AIDS. HIV destroys the body’s ability to fight off infection by destroying T-cells ( CD4 lymphocytes ). T-cells are a group of white blood cells which help defend against attacks by germs, bacteria, and viruses. As HIV destroys the T-cells, AIDS patients have such weaken immune systems, they become vulnerable to disease, and during the later stages may develop pneumonia or cancer, which can lead to death. Every 10 seconds someone dies from AIDS. AIDS is the largest global epidemic since the Bubonic Plague.

HIV is primarily spread through unprotected sexual activity: vaginally, anally, or orally. Transmission occurs through blood, including menstrual blood, vaginal secretions, and semen. Infants can contract HIV from their HIV positive mothers during pregnancy, birth, or through breast milk. It can also be spread through any direct blood contact such as shared needles by intravenous drug users, blood transfusions or blood products, or accidents in health care procedures.

To prevent the transmission of HIV, avoid risky behavior that may result in contact with blood, body fluids with visible blood, semen, or vaginal secretions. The most reliable way to avoid HIV is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected person. Both partners should get tested for STDs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse, but if not tested, always use latex condoms for vaginal, anal, and oral sex for each sex act. Always use water-based lubricants. Do not share needles with an infected person. Do not share personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, and sex toys, which may have been contaminated with blood, semen, or vaginal fluids.

AIDS is a reportable disease in every state. HIV infection is reportable in many states; HIV reports are kept strictly confidential.

Symptoms

Newly infected with HIV may experience flu-like symptoms which might include fever, joint pain, sore throat, chills, rashes, or night sweats. Some have symptoms so mild, they go unnoticed or dismissed as a cold or flu.

There are no common symptoms for those with AIDS. As HIV progresses, it damages the immune system’s ability to fight “opportunistic” infections. These infections, which are usually controlled by a healthy immune system, take the “opportunity” to thrive in a compromised immune system with AIDS. Most symptoms of AIDS such as severe diarrhea and weight loss, fever, headache, fatigue, night sweats, or shortness of breath, are caused by an opportunistic infection or another condition due to a weakened immune system.

Treatment

Without treatment, because of the inherent infections, HIV develops more rapidly into AIDS. After receiving a positive diagnose, a course of action should be discussed with your health care provider. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends getting vaccines such as hepatitis vaccines, bacterial pneumonia vaccines, and an annual influenza vaccination, since these diseases could pose a serious threat for those with suppressed immune systems. Many doctors also advocate starting anti-viral treatment as the T-cell count falls below 500. Follow-up is important throughout the treatment so doctors can assess medical care regularly. Counseling and emotional support should also be used to help people deal with the diagnosis, provide a positive approach to maintaining optimum health, and advise them about risk reduction and high risk behaviors.

There is NO cure for AIDS, but by using antiviral treatments and protease inhibitors, including immune boosting therapy, and treating/preventing specific opportunistic infections, many have been allowed to live relatively normal lives with increased quality and longevity.

NEWS RELEASE

PHOENIX BIOSCIENCES, INC. ISSUED UNITED STATES PATENT FOR THE CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PBS119 FOR HIV/AIDS

New Patent Marks First Step Towards Clinical Studies

Hollywood, Fla. – June 28, 2004 – Phoenix Biosciences, Inc. (PBS), focused on developing affordable, non-toxic treatments for HIV/AIDS, announced today that the U.S. Patent and trademark office has granted PBS Patent Number 6,734,192. This patent was provided to Phoenix Biosciences, Inc., for their novel immunological method, which claims to reduce HIV activity.

“The approval of this patent is an important step for our development team to move forward with clinical studies of PBS119,” said Dr. Robert Keller, Chairman and CEO of Phoenix Biosciences. “Phoenix Biosciences will now aggressively pursue the execution of Phase I/II clinical trials, which will focus on patients experiencing drug resistance.”

PBS119 utilizes a novel clinical approach being investigated for safety and clinical efficacy for advanced stage HIV/AIDS disease. PBS119 has been identified as having immune rebuilding potential and antiviral activity. Phoenix Biosciences is currently pursuing initial human studies that will be conducted in compliance with federal clinical trial guidelines.

Dr. Keller has been in clinical practice for the treatment of HIV/AIDS for 25 years and is certified and also sits on the Board of Governors for the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of HIV medicine. In addition, the Consumers’ Research Council of America has voted Keller as one of America’s top physicians in the field of immunology.

Testing

The body produces antibodies as it fights viruses; tests for HIV detect the antibodies, not the virus itself. There are different types of testing for HIV antibodies. The ELISA, which in most cases uses a blood sample, although some types of ELISAs use urine or saliva, is almost always the first screening test. When an ELISA is positive, the test must be confirmed by supplemental testing, The Western Blot or an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) test can be used to confirm the diagnosis. The CDC states the combined accuracy of the ELISA and a confirmatory Western Blot or IFA to be 99%.

The CDC also states that the “ window period” or the time it takes for antibodies to appear most of the time is three months after infection with HIV, but may take up to six months for some people. So, multiple testing may be in order to assure a proper diagnosis.

National STD and AIDS Hotline:

1-800-227-8922 or 1-800-342-2437 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)