AIDS has still no cure. Neither is there a special diet for HIV patients. The human immunodeficiency virus that causes the disease, seems to be unconquerable. Nevertheless, it is now an established fact that good nutrition can prevent or delay weight loss and other related complications.

Added precautions are necessary for asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals because the HIV organism attacks the immune system. The patient gets to be more vulnerable to infections. This includes food poisoning from salmonella, shigella, camphylobacter and some other bacteria. People with reduced immunity are naturally more prone to such food-borne infections.

Sufficient food intake is important for AIDS patients. It being a wasteful disease, death often occurs due to starvation rather than to other HIV complications. So unless there is a problem of obesity, the patient should eat as much as possible without worrying about gaining weight. This comes handy to a patient with extra weight when he is passing through a crisis and when he eats very little or can’t eat at all.

It is a problem maintaining a good nutrition level for a patient because AIDS affects the digestive system. Reduction of absorption of nutrients like folate, riboflavin, thiamin, and vitamins B6 and B12 often causes intractable diarrhea causing further nutritional loss and resulting in the increased risk of intestinal infections. A patient might also suffer from appetite loss and bouts of nausea, either from the disease or from medications.

In case of rapid weight loss, the patient is administered hyperalimentation (artificial feeding), given through a gastric feeding tube inserted into the stomach or an intravenous supply line pumping predigested nutrients into the bloodstream. This is the only recourse when nutrients are not being absorbed properly.

Food safety is of paramount importance to an AIDS patient. This applies to both an HIV-positive or a person who prepares food for an AIDS patient and hands should be washed before handling food before the preparation and after. Hot foods should be kept hot and cold foods cold. Any contact between raw and cooked food should be avoided. Eggs should be boiled at least for 7 minutes. Meat and fish should be cooked well, with an internal temperature of 165°to 212°). Raw sushi, shellfish, steak tartare, rare hamburgers, as well as homemade mayonnaise and ice cream made with raw eggs must be avoided although commercial mayonnaise and hard ice cream are safe.

Fruits and vegetables are to be washed as well although they are not as likely to cause problem as animal products but there is no harm in some extra precaution. Follow these tips when traveling abroad. Cooked vegetables are only to be eaten and so far fruits are concerned eat them peeled, stewed, or canned. According to some experts, salads and raw fruits and vegetables are safe but may be difficult to digest.

Use of supplements is often recommended by nutritionists. Taking a multiple vitamin and mineral pill could prevent nutritional deficiencies. However, a doctor can only prescribe more than 100 percent Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Self treating with high-dose supplements is not advisable because it can lead to serious problems. For instance, a high dose of vitamin C can aggravate diarrhea.

Following a macrobiotic regimen is a dangerous dietary approach particularly one restricted to brown rice and a few vegetables because it can actually worsen AIDS by failing to generate adequate nutrition. Additionally, the excessive fibre can exacerbate diarrhea.

A popular self-care entails herbal medicine, though there is no evidence of its efficacy. Researches have found certain substances to be present in these medicines that can cause serious side effects or interact with medications. Always take professional advice before taking any herbal or other preparation or in self-treatment or alternative medicine.

ADVICE

Consume plenty of poultry, nuts, milk, eggs, and other high-protein, high-calorie foods to check muscle and weight loss.

Eat a lot of rice, pasta, and other starchy foods, juices, cooked vegetables, and canned or stewed fruits for essential vitamins and minerals.

Take small meals through the day.

CONTROL

Whole-grain products and fatty foods if they cause diarrhea.

Caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea that can cause diarrhea reducing absorption of some nutrients.

AVOID

Especially shellfish, eggs and meats; raw or undercooked foods.

Alcohol, which can aggravate diarrhea and interact with AIDS medications.

Practical tips for HIV-infected people

Mouth or throat infections like thrush and ulcers making eating uncomfortable:

Eat mashed potatoes and gravy that are easy to swallow. Drink liquids with a straw. Food should be kept at room temperature as hot foods could prove to be uncomfortable. Increase intake of low-acid beverages like milk or apple juice.

Nausea and diarrhea–common side effects of many HIV medications:

Plenty of fluids should be taken to replace what you have lost, such as water, broth, or flat ginger ale or popsicles. Bland foods are a good way to begin eating; have small snacks through the day. Food should be chewed thoroughly and eaten slowly. Stay away from the kitchen if the smell of food bothers you. As the diarrhea improves, let nonirritating foods such as chicken, eggs, fish, apple-sauce, and peanut butter be allowed to the menu.

Frequent bouts of diarrhea:

Do not consume raw fruits and vegetables and high fiber foods such as whole-grain breads and cereals. Also do not eat gassy foods like onions, beans, cabbage, carbonated beverages, and spicy foods. Keep away from chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and rich, fatty foods.

© Somnath Mitra 2007

Author: Somnath Mitra
Article Source: EzineArticles.com