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DESCRIPTION
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the infection that leads to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV infection causes a breakdown in the body's immune system. A pregnant woman with HIV may pass the virus to her unborn child.
MoonDragon's Health Information: HIV & AIDS - A Detailed Description
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
For HIV infection (some of the symptoms of early HIV infection may mimic those of the first trimester of pregnancy or the flu).
- Fatigue.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Recurrent respiratory and skin infections; fever.
- Swollen lymph glands throughout the body.
- Genital changes.
- Enlarged spleen.
- Diarrhea.
- Mouth sores.
- Night sweats.
CAUSES
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus); a virus (retrovirus) that invades and destroys cells of the immune system. HIV infection results in lowered resistance to other infections and some types of cancers.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Sexual contact with a man who has had sex with another man or woman that has been infected with the virus. Know your partner's sexual history. You and your partner may want to be tested before you begin having sex.
Multiple sexual partners. Your chance of getting infected with HIV increases with each sexual partner you have.
Risky sexual practices. The riskiest sex is vaginal or anal sex without a latex condom.
Use of contaminated needles for intravenous drug use. Ask about your partner's sexual history and whether or not he or she has ever injected drugs. With a partner using "shooting" drugs, the risk greatly increases your chances of HIV infection.
Transfusions of blood or blood products from a person with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
Current or past sexually transmitted disease.
Non-use of latex condoms when having sex. Latex condoms can help prevent the spread of HIV infection.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
If trying to become pregnant, both you and your partner should consider HIV testing before having unprotected sex.
If artificial insemination is utilized for pregnancy, the donor should be tested first for HIV.
Avoid use of intravenous drugs of abuse. Never share needles if you do use drugs.
Avoid risky sexual practices. The riskiest is vaginal or anal sex without a latex condom. Anal sex poses the greatest risk because it is more likely to tear or break the skin or anal-rectal tissue. This makes it easier for HIV from an infected partner to enter the bloodstream.
If you are infected with HIV (or at risk of being infected) and become pregnant, seek special medical help from a health care provider or midwife with experience in HIV pregnancies.
If your are infected with HIV, it is recommended that breastfeeding should be avoided.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Having HIV infection or AIDS does appear to have some effect on the pregnancy itself which could result in premature birth and low birth weight.
A pregnancy does involve the immune system and, therefore, may affect the course of an HIV infection (although the effect is probably small).
An average of 70% of infants born to HIV mothers do not become HIV infected.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
HIV infected baby.
TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
Seek early medical help for your pregnancy. Special individualized care will be undertaken with referrals to any necessary support systems (e.g., counseling, social services).
Screening for other sexually transmitted diseases ( syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B & hepatitis C and herpes simplex virus infection) is important.
Testing is recommended for other AIDS-related infections, such as tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, and cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Vaccinations for hepatitis B, and pneumococcal and influenza viruses may be suggested for susceptible patients. Be informed about the pros and cons of vaccinations before obtaining them. This is especially important during pregnancy. Some vaccinations (or most) should not be given during pregnancy. Do research and make an informed decision regarding this controversial method of obtaining immunities.
Special testing of CD4+ lymphocyte cell counts are usually done each trimester.
Avoid contact with people who have infections, e.g., colds.
The method of delivery (vaginal or cesarean) appears to have no effect on the possible transmission of HIV, however, discuss the delivery options with your midwife or health care provider.
Research continues into new drugs, treatment methods, and possible vaccines against HIV. Discuss current treatment options with your health care provider or midwife.
Additional information is available from the National AIDS Hotline (800) 342-2437; Spanish version (800) 342-7432.
MEDICATION
Most of the medications used to fight opportunistic infections in HIV pregnant women have not been shown to cause birth defects. Your midwife or health care provider will use caution, careful consideration and expert consultation in prescribing any medications or therapies. The benefits of the treatment for the mother needs to be weighed against the risks. Some infections are life-threatening.
Antiviral medication (zidovudine) is often recommended to reduce the risk of transmitting the HIV infection in the unborn child. This drug is taken during pregnancy and labor and also needs to be given to the newborn.
WARNING! There are no drugs that have been proven absolutely safe for your developing baby. Use extreme caution in taking any medications during pregnancy and then these should only be used after all other methods have been tried and with the careful guidance of your midwife or health care provider..
ACTIVITY
No special restrictions. Regular exercise, as permitted by the course of the infection and by the pregnancy is helpful. Correct diet, appropriate supplements, stress reduction, a proper environment, and a healthy mental outlook all play significant roles in keeping the immune system working adequately.
Avoid people with any type of infections, colds, flu or other illnesses that can be transmitted to you.
Avoid people who smoke and do not smoke yourself.
Obtain as much fresh air and rest as possible, and moderate amounts of sunshine.
Always use a condom (latex, not sheepskin) and spermicide (spermicide kills HIV) for any sexual contact. If you use a lubricant with a latex condom, use only a water based lubricant such as K-Y jelly; do NOT use petroleum jelly (Vaseline), vegetable shortening (Crisco), hand lotion, or baby oil, as these substances can break down latex in a matter of minutes. Be aware, however, that even the proper use of a condom is not a guarantee against the transmission of HIV.
Avoid alcohol, noxious chemicals, and everything else that can damage the liver.
Educate yourself. HIV and AIDS are complicated conditions and treatment options are constantly changing and expanding. In order to stay well, it is vital to be as informed as possible.
DIET
Maintain good nutrition suitable for pregnancy. Keep in mind that a higher than normal intake of nutrients will probably be necessary. Malabsorption, altered metabolism and weight loss are common among patients.
Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat a diet consisting of 75% raw foods, organically grown if possible (avoid foods that have been treated with pesticides and other sprays), plus lentils, beans, seeds, nuts and whole grains, including brown rice and millet. Raw foods are particularly important because cooking depletes foods of their vital enzymes.
Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. Also consume yellow and deep-orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, squash, and yams.
Consume plenty of fresh live juices. Juicing is extremely beneficial for supplying nutrients."Green drinks" made from leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and beet greens, and carrot and beet root juice should be consumed on a daily basis, with garlic and onion added. These juices contain chlorophyll, protein, vitamins and minerals, and enzymes. Take this drink three times daily.
Drink steam-distilled water only (not tap water), and lots of it - eight or more 8 ounce glasses daily - to flush out toxins from the body. All cells and organ systems need water. Drink plenty of water even if you are not thirsty. The organs and especially the brain, become dehydrated long before thirst develops.
Eat unripened papaya (including a few of the seeds), fresh pineapple, and Aspergillus oryzae (a type of fungus) frequently. These foods are good sources of proteolytic enzymes, which are crucial for proper digestion of foods and assimilation of nutrients. Without enzymes, the body cannot be supplied with the energy it needs for its activities. Enzymes can also be taken in supplement form. These help in digestion in the lower stomach and intestinal tract.
Eat onions and garlic, or take garlic in supplement form. Both have antibacterial properties.
Add shiitake, reishi, and maitake mushrooms to the diet or take them in supplement form.
Limit your intake of soybeans and soy products, which contain enzyme inhibitors, but do not completely eliminate them from your diet, as they are valuable sources of protein.
Avoid raw eggs, unpasteurized milk or other potentially contaminated foods.
Eliminate from the diet colas, foods with additives and colorings, junk foods, peanuts, processed refined foods, saturated fats, salt, sugar and sugar products, white flour, all animal protein, and anything that contains caffeine.
Take supplemental fiber daily. Alternate between psyllium husks and freshly ground flaxseeds. Take psyllium with a glass of water and drink it quickly before it thickens. Note: take supplemental fiber separately from other supplements and medications.
Exercise caution in your choice of foods so as to avoid exposure to foodborne illness. Food poisoning can be very dangerous for people with AIDS or HIV infection.
Try using bee propolis or royal jelly to fight bacterial infections invading the lungs, mouth, throat, and mucous membranes.
Use coffee retention enemas to eliminate toxins and supply nutrients.
Determine what food sensitivities or allergies you may have. The best way to determine this is by having allergy tests done by a health care provider. It is important to eliminate allergic foods from the diet because they wreak havoc in the body, causing damage to the immune system.
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You or a family member has symptoms of HIV infection and/or pregnancy.
You develop signs of infection: headache, muscle aches, dizziness or a general ill feeling and fever.
New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
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