Caring for someone with HIV/AIDS? Then congratulations and good luck, since such a job, while being the manifestation of a ‘huge heart of love’ and the desire to make someone else comfortable, is certainly not easy. It can be very stressful, and can even lead to physical ‘burn out’, invariably jeopardizing one’s own health. However, be encouraged. It’s worth the while.

Particularly if the person is clinically diagnosed as having AIDS, with late stage symptomatic infections, the job is made even more arduous. As someone providing care for a person with HIV/AIDS, you will be required to meet their needs, balancing those with your needs and the needs of other members of the family. Keep focused on ensuring your own well-being, which will benefit you both.

Keep an eye on your personal health – ensuring you eat right, get sufficient sleep and exercise, and safeguard yourself from becoming exposed to the person’s blood, faeces or other bodily fluids such as sputum and vomit.

While aiming to offer your PLHIV as much help as possible, guard against being overprotective, to the extent that you take away their dignity, independence and self-respect. As far as possible, aim to empower them to be able to do things for themselves, and condition them to see that there is hope for experiencing an improved quality of life.

A person with AIDS invariably has two or more Opportunistic Infections (OIs), which are illnesses caused by organisms that do not usually cause disease in persons with normal, healthy immune systems. Be particularly careful when caring for a person with Tuberculosis – a highly infectious communicable disease.

The common OIs in people living with HIV/AIDS include:

* Tuberculosis(TB) – a bacterial infection that attacks the lungs and can lead to death

* Pneumocystis carini pneumonia (PCP) – a fungal infection that can cause fatal pneumonia

* Candidiasis (thrush) a fungal infection that usually affects the mouth, throat, lungs and vagina

* Cryptosporidiosis (crypto) – a diarrhoeal disease caused by the protozoa infection

* Cryptococcal Meningitis (a fungal infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and

Spinal cord)

* Cytomegalovirus (CMV) a herpes virus that can cause infections in most organs of the

body. CMV retinitis (infection of the eye) can lead to blindness in persons with HIV.

* Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC or MAI) – a bacterial infection that can cause recurring fevers, problems with digestion and serious weight loss.

* Toxoplasmosis (also referred to as Toxo) – a protozoal infection that can affect many parts of the body, but mostly commonly causes an infection of the brain, and is chiefly contracted through association with cats.

* Herpes Simplex viruses (HSV) which can cause oral or genital herpes.

Do not be turned off by the long technical names associated with these infections. What you should be acutely concerned about are the symptoms. You may wish to ignore the technical name – which all infections do have, but calling it by a simpler name would not decrease the gravity of the infection.

The following are some approaches recommended for Persons caring for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS, (PLHIV) published by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), in their Come Care Manual “Living Well with HIV/AIDS:”

-Spend time with the person living with HIV/AIDS

– Get to know the kinds of foods they like or do not like and advise them on what is good for them

– Ensure they drink lots of fluids, including pure water and fruit juices.

– Keep an eye on their weight, have them weighed whenever you observe unexpected

weight loss or gain and report these to their doctor

– If on antiretroviral drugs, ensure they comply with the doctor’s instructions in relation to taking their medication (referred to as adherence) Missing doses of ARV medication is dangerous. Pay attention to what foods they should use or avoid when taking ARVs.

– Be encouraging and loving, but not overprotective. When your patient refuses to eat, he is

not necessarily being difficult, but this can be caused through changes in their taste, or because of the medication they are taking.

– Keep an eye on them, and ensure they do not go on an empty stomach.

– Keep them and their surroundings clean at all times.

– Dispose of their bodily waste carefully, bearing in mind the infections caused by Opportunistic Infections they may have.

And remember, never refer to his/her as an AIDS victim. Use the term “Person Living with HIV/AIDS”. The word victim has a negative connotation and engenders a feeling of powerlessness over their condition. Using the words “Living with HIV/AIDS” speaks life, and is the first step towards making them feel empowered over their situation. Remember, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

If you have a problem caused by HIV, want to share personal experiences with us, or need to raise any related concerns, kindly send your questions or letters to: waronhiv@yahoo.com or write to:

The HIV/AIDS Mailbox
Guyana Chronicle
Lot 1 Lama Avenue
Bel Air Park – Georgetown
So long, until next week
Shirla