HIV/ Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
It’s estimated that about 1.1 million people in the United States have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Currently, there’s no cure for HIV or its advanced stage, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), but the virus and its symptoms can be controlled with antiretroviral (ART) medication. Many with HIV/AIDS also seek alternative therapies to alleviate symptoms. At Kaya Life, the medical marijuana-certifying clinicians can talk to you about this natural therapy for the management of your HIV/AIDS. For a consultation, call the office in Gulfport, Mississippi, or request an appointment online today
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV is a viral infection spread through blood, semen, breast milk, pre-seminal fluids, rectal fluids, and vaginal fluids. The virus attacks and destroys the immune cells (CD4 cells) that help you fight off infection.
When left untreated, the virus destroys your immune system, which leads to AIDS, the most advanced stage of HIV.
What are HIV/AIDS symptoms?
Initial HIV symptoms, such as fever, body aches, and a skin rash, usually appear within two to four weeks of contracting the virus. These symptoms may last a few days or several weeks.
During the early stages of your infection, the virus is multiplying in your body very quickly. However, it’s often years before you develop more severe symptoms, and it takes about 10 years for HIV to advance to AIDS.
You have AIDS when your immune CD4 cell count falls to a certain level or you start having recurrent opportunistic infections. You can have infections throughout your body, causing many different symptoms. AIDS can also progress to cause cancer and hepatitis.
How is HIV/AIDS treated?
Antiretroviral (ART) medications are the primary treatment for HIV/AIDS. ART includes a combination of medications you must take daily to suppress the replication of the virus.
ART can reduce the viral load so significantly that it’s undetectable, and you no longer transmit the virus.
Your ART medications can’t cure HIV/AIDS, but they can keep you healthy and prolong your life.
Am I a good candidate for medical marijuana?
The experts at Kaya Life determine if you would benefit from medical marijuana during a consultation. HIV/AIDS is one of the qualifying conditions allowed by the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act for the use of medical marijuana.
If you test positive for HIV/AIDS and the team considers you a good candidate, they complete the necessary paperwork so you can be added to the medical marijuana registry and purchase it from registered dispensaries.
This natural therapy may help reduce systemic inflammation and ease many symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS, including depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, nausea, and wasting syndrome.
HIV/AIDS frequently damages nerves, causing pain and burning. Traditional medications seldom improve nerve pain, but you may get significant relief with medical marijuana.
To schedule an appointment with the compassionate Kaya Life team, contact the office by phone or request one online today.
