Evidence is accumulating that the HIV virus is an immune system defect aggravated and worsened by modern habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Some people exposed never get it.

Others contract the virus but remain healthy. This is because they have strong immune systems, and are able to fight if off. It is my belief, based on numerous research findings, that what we call Aids is actually the result of massive nutrient deficiencies caused by the HIV virus. Research has shown that while malnutrition is a hallmark of full blown AIDS, nutritional abnormalities also occur early in HIV disease. Doctor K. baum, together with colleagues form the University of Miami School of Medicine, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham examined blood levels of vitamins a, e, b6, b12 and zinc in early diagnosed HIV-positive patients.

The researchers discovered that when the patients were given recommended daily allowances (government-recommended dosages) of these nutrients, they were still found to be deficient. It was not until after they received six to then times the RDA did the majority have normal levels.

Without essential nutrients, a complete breakdown of the immune system is imminent, and the body succumbs to opportunistic cancers and infections. Like a crack in the sidewalk that is widened and worsened by weather and pollutants, the HIV virus takes advantage of environmental and dietary pollutants that weaken the body’s ability to fight back. As long as deficiencies are present, the patient cannot heal.

Numerous factors contribute to AIDS. The problem begins with vitamin and mineral deficiencies, legal and illegal drugs, “fast lane” living, vaccinations, steroids, birth control pills and recurrent sexually transmitted diseases that allow usually harmless bacteria to multiply into toxic amounts. All beat down the immune system so that exposure to HIV can mean a death sentence.

Thankfully, there are doctors out there determined to show the world HIV and AIDS do not have to be death sentences. They are the ones who have red the research, stepped out of the pack and used mega-nutrients and lifestyle recommendations to treat their patients.

In one study conducted by Brighthope, M.D. of Melbourne, Australia, the lives of 18 out of 20 AIDS patients and all 100 aids related complex patients he treated were prolonged he prescribes massive intravenous doses of vitamin C initially, plus various other vitamins, minerals and herbs, as well as exercise to achieve these results.

A man suffering from AIDS for five years came to Joan Priestley, M.D., a practicing physician In LA California. The man’s doctors told him his case was terminal and he had five months to live. He was suffering from severe weight loss and diarrhea and was ravaged by infections and an intestinal ailment. Today, over one year after beginning aggressive treatment with the Dr. the man is symptom-free and has regained forty pounds.

Dr.Robert Cathcart III of Los Altos, California, was approached by a man suffering from night sweats and fever, His low T-cell count alerted the Dr. to test for the HIV virus. The Dr. is a pioneer in the use of vitamin C therapy for illness. Fifteen months after beginning intravenous vitamin C treatments, the patient’s T-cell count rose from under 300 to 600. He was elated, and celebrated when he went a year without having a cold or flu.

My point here is to demonstrate that a growing number of doctors are successfully treating AIDS. Do not settle for questionable conventional treatment when you could increase your chances of survival by looking outside of orthodoxy

Perhaps it may sound strange to many that some drugs, like Viagra, is now being linked to higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases, STDs. When people feel the need of some kind of push to their low degree of erection, they turn to such drugs. A study conducted recently indicates that such people are more likely to have sexually transmitted diseases. The study conducted at the University of Southern California and Massachusetts General Hospital, however, concludes that the cause of such risk is not the drug itself, but the behavior of those who use it. Unless professional help is sought on safe sex, the risk will remain high.

Some studies conducted on Viagra and sexually transmitted diseases, form this link when sexual acts are done between two identical partners especially of older age. The studies are more indicative that older individuals are not usually told about the safe sexual practices, and perhaps this is one of the reasons of the links between the erectile dysfunction drugs and sexually transmitted diseases. This relation between ED drugs and STDs seems much lower in younger individuals.

The link between Viagra and sexually transmitted diseases clearly establishes its soundness when researches concluded that men on erectile dysfunction drugs are three times more likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases when compared with those who do not take such drugs. The more frequent STD cases can be seen as HIV/AIDS and Chlamydia. Until now, the researchers could not establish the factors that link Viagra or other erectile dysfunction drugs with sexually transmitted diseases. It is not yet clear whether Viagra or other erectile dysfunction drugs are directly responsible for the complaint. Further studies are underway to sort out the causes and safety of such drugs. So far, only the link is established, not the actual causes.

With the introduction of erectile dysfunction drugs, Sildenafil or Viagra, the use of such drugs has grown up dramatically. It is also a fact that not only those who need some ED medications use Viagra or similar drugs, but also those who wish to boost their performance, or who get tempted by the heavy advertisements, use ED drugs. Many such men are in higher risk groups and use such drugs without proper medical supervision. According to Dr. Peter Leone of the National Coalition of STD, and Professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina, the fault is more with the users, not in the drugs. According to him, it is not the drugs that cause the problems, but it is the users who are to blame.

In any case, it is always better to consult an expert who will be able to prescribe you the ED drugs according to your individual medical conditions and the degree of the weakness. Do not get tempted to the commercial attractions of such drugs, and take the advice of your doctor before using any such drugs.

Florida saw higher rates of AIDS than all but two other states (New York and Maryland) with rates of one in 209 white men, one in 117 hispanic men and one in 44 black men living wiith HIV/AIDS statewide as of 2008.

Women only accounted for 31 percent of the population with HIV/AIDS in Florida in 2006, but that meant that 25,365 women were trying to survive AIDS in Florida. The rate per 100,000 in 2006 was 89.4 for black women, 14.6 for hispanic women and 5.1 for white women. AIDS was the leading cause of death for black women between the ages of 25 and 44 for 15 straight years in Florida.

July 21st has been designated National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of HIV/AIDS. They are calling upon clinicians to talk more openly about the epidemic and HIV testing, and even test themselves to lead by example.

July Will See the First U.S. Comprehensive Plan to Fight AIDS

For the first time, the federal government is developing a comprehensive plan to deal with the AIDS epidemic. Its three-point focus will be unveiled on July 13th. It’s aimed at reducing the number of people who become infected, increasing medical intervention to improve patient outcomes and addressing HIV-related disparities.

States are getting $25 million more from the Health and Human Services Secretary to buy medication for those living with HIV/AIDS, but that’s not expected to get everyone off the waiting lists. As record numbers lost their health insurance through rising unemployment, the number of people waiting for help to get lifesaving medicine soared. Add to that recent state budget cuts, and about 2,100 people from 11 states were stuck on waiting lists as of July 1st.

New Hope for an AIDS Testing and an AIDS Vaccine

Federal researchers have found a pair of naturally-occuring antibodies that can kill over 90 percent of all AIDS virus strains. This could spawn the development of new treatments and the first successful vaccine. That promise could make testing more popular and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, but prevention is still key.

One of provisions in the new health care law has already addressed this, but several provisions seem to have been lost by a media industry trying to one up competitors by reporting only controversy. As of September 23rd, both copayments and deductibles for preventive services (including certain screenings for sexually-transmitted disease) will be dropped.

By eliminating what copays and deductibles cost patients, this provision encourages people to address health problems earlier while they’re usually more treatable. More access to preventive services gives the insured more value for the price of their premiums, making Florida Health Insurance a better deal.

Because these changes will apply to policy years that begin after September 23rd, it may not go into effect until most new plan years begin as of January 1st of next year. Still, this July marks a welcome change in our attitude of ignoring the AIDS epidemic, and providing more funding, a break through in research and more access to preventive screenings. This year is just the beginning of the results we can expect from the new healthcare law. The government is pushing insurance companies to cover more people even before the 2014 mandate. As Health Insurance in Florida is forced to offer greater access to care, now is the time to look for new plans and new benefits.

UNAIDS estimates that more than 37 million adults and 2 million children are infected with HIV worldwide. The AIDS epidemic has hit the hardest in sub-Saharan Africa, where 75 percent of the women ages 15 to 24 are infected

Closer to home, 40,000 people per year in the U.S. are infected, more than half of whom are African-American women. The latter group by itself accounts for 72 percent of all new HIV diagnoses in women.

In the face of these overwhelming statistics, what can be done? Some corporations are making a difference with contributions to charities supporting the cause and helping in other ways.

For example, Roche, a pharmaceutical company that developed the HIV protease inhibitors Invirase and Viracept, has not filed any patents for its medicines – including those for HIV/AIDS – in the least-developed nations and sub-Saharan Africa. This means that these countries, which are devastated by the epidemic, can manufacture and sell cheap, generic versions of the drugs without waiting for the patents to expire.

The company also is dedicated to increasing awareness of the illnesses.

“Roche is committed to driving social responsibility programs that increase awareness and combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic at the local and international level,” said George Abercrombie, president and CEO, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., the U.S. pharmaceuticals headquarters of Roche.

Beyond this, Roche and its employees are working more directly to address the problem through the company’s annual Global Employee AIDS Walk in observance of World AIDS Day.

Roche employees have been participating in the walk for more than two years. In December 2005, more than 11,000 employees from 85 affiliates in 42 countries walked to raise funds for AIDS organizations. The money raised through their pledges was matched by the company.

Some of the funds are distributed to local HIV/AIDS organizations. In New Jersey, for example, funds will go to the NJ AIDS Partnership. The rest goes to children in Malawi, Africa, who have been orphaned by AIDS. The money goes to buy everything from food and clean water to shelter, books and sewing machines.

HIV is spread by sexual contact with an infected person, by sharing needles or syringes with someone who is infected or – less commonly – through transfusions of infected blood. Babies of HIV-infected women may become infected before or during birth or through breast feeding.