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The way we address HIV is cause for concern
by Bradford McIntyre
The truth is that there are millions of people living to whom HIV has not
caused illness and death. This information brings joy and hope to the heart
of any person who has ever dreaded the onset of AIDS.
Initially, we only saw the deaths of those infected with HIV. Science,
medicine and the pharmaceutical companies looked for answers, but fear set
the standard that HIV infection was a fatal disease. Many cried out for
answers. Pressure led to the release of drugs and the direction was set!
High dosages and problems with toxicity played a major role in many of the
lives considered plagued with HIV. What has happened is that the
pharmaceutical companies have manipulated the shape of AIDS. They provide
the medical profession with treatment information and dosages. As
well, they are providing funding and treatment information to the AIDS
organizations and in return AIDS organizations are promoting the treatment
information provided by the pharmaceutical companies. These drug companies
know they have a vulnerable market! Drugs are promoted to combat HIV when
the suppliers know that many AIDS drugs may be unsuccessful. Whether it’s
over a short or long term, many do fail. HIV strategies evolve and outwit
the immune system. Therefore, some individuals are in constant need of new
drugs when their drugs fail and resistance develops. The more HIV/AIDS drugs
that an individual takes, the greater the risk of drug resistance occurring.
"Over half of the people
infected with HIV ARE using alternative and complementary therapies."
Another thing which ensures many individuals choose the drug treatment, is
the continual fear promoted by the pharmaceutical companies and the medical
profession to influence an individual into believing they will progress to
disease and/or die without HIV/AIDS medications. Often, a physician tells
patients that those individuals who do use supplements and complementary
therapies: “they die!” Individuals voicing anything other than the
pharmaceutical company’s ideology of HIV/AIDS and treatments are
discredited. This is all too clearly understood by millions of people
throughout the world.
Even the media has not told the true story but only conveys the information
provided by the pharmaceutical companies. It is the responsibility of the
media to investigate and then report! It is important and necessary to
recognize the need for voices from all walks of life to be heard, thus
helping to create a better understanding. One of balance!
Since the beginning, living with HIV has prompted many to learn about their
bodies, to gain understanding of its needs. Large numbers of people have
incorporated the knowledge of HIV/AIDS medications, how they work, what they
do, dosages to take with or without food, side effects and benefits!
Antiretroviral medications deplete many of the micronutrients necessary to
keep the body healthy. Without proper nutrition how can anyone be expected
to combat HIV or combat the side effects of the HIV/AIDS treatments? Without
complementary therapies, patients are at a greater risk of failing drug
treatments because they can’t tolerate the side effects. They may decide
to discontinue a treatment, which could have proved beneficial, had they
been able to overcome the initial side effects. Providing proper nutrition
and Complementary therapies can address the immune system and many of the
side effects of HIV treatments.
There are no shortages of scientists and physicians as well as individuals
living with HIV, who have realized another understanding of how HIV and
other diseases can be affected. The fact the emphasis on treatment is placed
predominantly on medical and pharmaceutical while other methods are not
given the same deserving recognition, is in direct conflict with the way in
which people infected with HIV have managed their infection!
Over half of the people infected with HIV ARE using alternative and
complementary therapies. Regardless of HIV infection or not, in the United
States alone, for every individual who seeks out medical and pharmaceutical
care, three times as many people are seeking out alternative and
complementary care. Here in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where I
live, I would say the numbers using alternative and complementary are even
higher! Yet alternative and complementary care is not included in
health care!
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