Homeopathy-HIV/AIDS

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is caused by the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV). AIDS is defined as, any sign or symptom of acquired cellular Immune deficiency in a person having confirmatory serological or viral evidence of infection with HIV. When we think of HIV/AIDS, the first thing we imagine is that it is contracted through unprotected sex only, but there are many other ways by which it can be contracted i.e. using an infected syringe/injection needle, transfusion of HIV infected blood, using something that has come in contact with the body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids, etc) of a HIV +ve person (including blades, razors & knives), intimate kissing and breast feeding (about 30% of the children born to HIV +ve mothers are already HIV+ve at birth). Some of the symptoms people with HIV can develop are as follows:-

• Recurrent Fever
• Weakness/Tiredness
• Sweating in the Night
• Weight Loss
• Enlarged Lymph Nodes
• Hair-Fall
• Cough
• Continual Diarrhea
• Red/white spots inside the mouth/on the skin
• Pneumonia
• Memory Loss (or Depression)
• Other neurological problems

[but don't assume some one has AIDS just because they have one of these symptoms].

The following are the most commonly used diagnostic tests:-

• The Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA), which specifically measures the anti-HIV antibodies in the blood.
• The Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR) Quantitative test, which gives you the Viral load (the CD4+ count to be specific).
• The more expensive (and more accurate) Western Blot Test.

Can Homeopathy cure A.I.D.S. ? Read on :-

Homeopathy in HIV infection:-
An abstract from the 'British Homeopathic Journal', April 1999, vol. 88, no. 2 pp. 49-57

Abstract:-

Objective: This study was aimed to evaluate the immuno-modulator role of homeopathic remedies in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.

Methodology: A randomised double blind clinical trial was conducted to compare the effect of homeopathic remedies with placebo, on CD4+ve T-lymphocytes in HIV infected individuals, conforming to Centres for Disease Control (CDC) stage II & III. 100 HIV+ve individuals between 18 to 50 y (71% males) were included in the study. 50 cases conformed to CDC stage II-Asymptomatic HIV infection, and 50 cases to CDC stage III-Persistent Generalised Lymphadenopathy (PGL). Cases were stratified according to their clinical status and CD4+ve lymphocyte counts. The randomisation charts were prepared much before the start of the trial by randomly assigning placebo and verum codes to registration numbers from 1 to 50. A single individualised homeopathic remedy was prescribed in each case and was followed up at intervals of 15 d to one month. A six months study was performed for each registered case. Assessment of progress was made by evaluation of CD4+ve lymphocyte counts, which was the prospectively-defined main outcome measure of the study; the results were compared with the base line immune status.

Results: In PGL, a statistically significant difference was observed in CD4+ve T-lymphocyte counts between pre and post trial levels in verum group (P<0.01). In the placebo group a similar comparison yielded non-significant results. (P=0.91). Analysis of change in the pre and post trial counts of CD4+ve cells between groups was also statistically significant (P=0.04).

In asymptomatic HIV infection, differences in absolute CD4+ve lymphocyte counts between pre and post trial levels were not significant. Analysis of changes in pre and post trial CD4 levels of placebo and verum groups for combined strata of asymptomatic and PGL groups was also not significant.

Conclusion: The study suggests a possible role of homeopathic treatment in HIV infection in symptomatic phase, as evidenced by a statistically significant elevation of base line immune status in persistent generalised lymphadenopathy.

Homeopaths claim A.I.D.S. curable:-
An abstract from an article that appeared in all major (Indian) Newspapers (Click here to read the source) & in the News magazine 'Homoeopathic Forum':-

PATNA : The Doctors attending the ongoing 13th All India Homoeopathy Congress at the S.K. Memorial Hall near Gandhi Maidan here claimed that AIDS could be cured by Homoeopathic medicines. The chairman of Post-graduate committee, Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH), New Delhi, Dr.D.P. Rastogi, said that recent experiments at the Regional Research Institute of Homoeopathy, Mumbai, showed that AIDS is curable. Three hundred HIV-Positive patients were administered medicines for three months during the experiment. Thereafter, their blood samples were sent for tests at different laboratories, which showed that 15 samples were HIV-negative, said Rastogi.

Note:The time factor of 3 months was too short; if the trial had continued for some more time, more would have been HIV-negative.