Healthy Living With HIV-August/September 2012

September is

National Cholesterol Education Month!

E

very September, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute runs National Cholesterol Education Month. This is a good time to get your blood cholesterol checked and to learn more about steps you can take to lower it if it’s high. National Cholesterol Education Month is also a good time to learn about lipid profiles as well as food and lifestyle choices that can help you reach personal cholesterol goals.

Don’t Ignore

Mouth Problems

P

ain or bleeding in your mouth can be a sign of infection. It can keep you from eating normally, and the pain may become serious enough that you could skip taking antiHIV drugs. Serious infections in your mouth can cause other health problems. Be sure to see a dentist or let your healthcare provider know if you have: • Trouble swallowing.

• Changes in how food tastes.

• Pain or other problems with your mouth or teeth.

Quitting smoking, eating healthier, and exercising regularly can help lower cholesterol. Some anti-HIV drugs can raise cholesterol levels, but your healthcare provider can adjust your HIV drug regimen if cholesterol levels are poor. Be sure to talk this over with your doctor first.

Remember, HIV medications are only one of many potential factors that increase a person’s risk of heart disease or stroke.

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/cholmonth).

Several problems with the teeth, mouth, and gums can show up in people with HIV. Some of the more common conditions in the mouth associated with HIV include dry mouth and tooth decay, candidiasis (thrush), canker and cold sores, and gum disease, among others.

Be Proactive to Prevent Mouth Problems HIV infection and some medications can cause dry mouth. So too can coffee, carbonated beverages, alcohol, and smoking. To avoid these symptoms, try to limit intake of these items…or better yet, stop using them completely.

If you have dry mouth, take frequent drinks of water. You can talk to your healthcare provider about using sugar-free gum or candy, or a saliva substitute. For canker and cold sores, there are ointments, creams, or rinses that can help. To battle gum disease, be sure to brush your teeth, floss, and see a dentist regularly. Get your teeth cleaned regularly by a dental health professional.

Hairy leukoplakia, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and oral warts from HPV are other signs in the mouth associated with HIV. Oftentimes, the best treatment for these problems in someone with HIV is effective antiretroviral therapy.

Good dental hygiene can go a long way toward stopping these problems before they ever occur. If you’re concerned about any mouth problems, be sure to see a health or dental care provider, especially for any serious issues.

Source: TheBody.com (www.thebody.com/content/treat/art56299.html).

August/September 2012

Lessons on

Valley Fever

C

occidioidomycosis, commonly known as “valley fever,” is an opportunistic infection that is caused by a soil-dwelling fungus. Most cases in people with HIV have been reported from the southwestern United States, but some have also been diagnosed outside this area. The risk for developing symptomatic coccidioidomycosis increases when CD4 counts are lower than 250 cells/μL or when someone has an AIDS diagnosis.

Feature:

Getting Help for

Drug Abuse

There are things that you can do to prevent being afflicted with this opportunistic infection. First, take your anti-HIV drugs as prescribed. Second, try to avoid long exposures to disturbed native soil. This means staying away from building excavation sites and steering clear of events like dust storms whenever possible. Third, there are prophylactic drugs that may protect you if you’re at risk. If you suspect you have coccidioidomycosis or if you’re diagnosed with it, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options.

Source: AIDSInfo.nih.gov (www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/Adult_OI.pdf).

Also in this issue: The editorial content for this brochure was developed and created solely by the Patient Education Center. The content does not necessarily represent the opinions and/or views of our advertisers.

Healthy Living With HIV is published by the Patient Education Center. Offices: 2445 Kuser Road, Suite 202, Hamilton, NJ 08690; and 180 Mount Airy Road, Suite 102, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

Publication of an advertisement or other product mention in Healthy Living With HIV should not be construed as an endorsement of the product or the manufacturer’s claims. Such advertising or product mentions should similarly not be construed as either influencing or controlling the editorial content of Healthy Living With HIV. The appearance of or reference to any person or entity in the editorial material (including photographs) in this brochure does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of the product advertised. Readers are encouraged to contact the product manufacturer with any questions about the features and/ or limitations of any product mentioned. The reader also is advised to consult appropriate medical literature and the product information currently provided by the manufacturer of each drug to verify indications, dosage, method, duration of administration, and contraindications.

Copyright 2012, Patient Education Center

PEC-HL-AUG-040

Lessons on Valley Fever National Cholesterol Education Month Don’t Ignore Mouth Problems

Visit us online at www.patientedu.org/hiv

September is

National Cholesterol Education Month!

E

very September, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute runs National Cholesterol Education Month. This is a good time to get your blood cholesterol checked and to learn more about steps you can take to lower it if it’s high. National Cholesterol Education Month is also a good time to learn about lipid profiles as well as food and lifestyle choices that can help you reach personal cholesterol goals.

Don’t Ignore

Mouth Problems

P

ain or bleeding in your mouth can be a sign of infection. It can keep you from eating normally, and the pain may become serious enough that you could skip taking antiHIV drugs. Serious infections in your mouth can cause other health problems. Be sure to see a dentist or let your healthcare provider know if you have: • Trouble swallowing.

• Changes in how food tastes.

• Pain or other problems with your mouth or teeth.

Quitting smoking, eating healthier, and exercising regularly can help lower cholesterol. Some anti-HIV drugs can raise cholesterol levels, but your healthcare provider can adjust your HIV drug regimen if cholesterol levels are poor. Be sure to talk this over with your doctor first.

Remember, HIV medications are only one of many potential factors that increase a person’s risk of heart disease or stroke.

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/cholmonth).

Several problems with the teeth, mouth, and gums can show up in people with HIV. Some of the more common conditions in the mouth associated with HIV include dry mouth and tooth decay, candidiasis (thrush), canker and cold sores, and gum disease, among others.

Be Proactive to Prevent Mouth Problems HIV infection and some medications can cause dry mouth. So too can coffee, carbonated beverages, alcohol, and smoking. To avoid these symptoms, try to limit intake of these items…or better yet, stop using them completely.

If you have dry mouth, take frequent drinks of water. You can talk to your healthcare provider about using sugar-free gum or candy, or a saliva substitute. For canker and cold sores, there are ointments, creams, or rinses that can help. To battle gum disease, be sure to brush your teeth, floss, and see a dentist regularly. Get your teeth cleaned regularly by a dental health professional.

Hairy leukoplakia, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and oral warts from HPV are other signs in the mouth associated with HIV. Oftentimes, the best treatment for these problems in someone with HIV is effective antiretroviral therapy.

Good dental hygiene can go a long way toward stopping these problems before they ever occur. If you’re concerned about any mouth problems, be sure to see a health or dental care provider, especially for any serious issues.

Source: TheBody.com (www.thebody.com/content/treat/art56299.html).

August/September 2012

Lessons on

Valley Fever

C

occidioidomycosis, commonly known as “valley fever,” is an opportunistic infection that is caused by a soil-dwelling fungus. Most cases in people with HIV have been reported from the southwestern United States, but some have also been diagnosed outside this area. The risk for developing symptomatic coccidioidomycosis increases when CD4 counts are lower than 250 cells/μL or when someone has an AIDS diagnosis.

Feature:

Getting Help for

Drug Abuse

There are things that you can do to prevent being afflicted with this opportunistic infection. First, take your anti-HIV drugs as prescribed. Second, try to avoid long exposures to disturbed native soil. This means staying away from building excavation sites and steering clear of events like dust storms whenever possible. Third, there are prophylactic drugs that may protect you if you’re at risk. If you suspect you have coccidioidomycosis or if you’re diagnosed with it, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options.

Source: AIDSInfo.nih.gov (www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/Adult_OI.pdf).

Also in this issue: The editorial content for this brochure was developed and created solely by the Patient Education Center. The content does not necessarily represent the opinions and/or views of our advertisers.

Healthy Living With HIV is published by the Patient Education Center. Offices: 2445 Kuser Road, Suite 202, Hamilton, NJ 08690; and 180 Mount Airy Road, Suite 102, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

Publication of an advertisement or other product mention in Healthy Living With HIV should not be construed as an endorsement of the product or the manufacturer’s claims. Such advertising or product mentions should similarly not be construed as either influencing or controlling the editorial content of Healthy Living With HIV. The appearance of or reference to any person or entity in the editorial material (including photographs) in this brochure does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of the product advertised. Readers are encouraged to contact the product manufacturer with any questions about the features and/ or limitations of any product mentioned. The reader also is advised to consult appropriate medical literature and the product information currently provided by the manufacturer of each drug to verify indications, dosage, method, duration of administration, and contraindications.

Copyright 2012, Patient Education Center

PEC-HL-AUG-040

Lessons on Valley Fever National Cholesterol Education Month Don’t Ignore Mouth Problems

Visit us online at www.patientedu.org/hiv

Getting Help for

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse and addiction have forever been linked with HIV, but resources are available to help you kick your habit and live a longer, healthier life.

Who’s At Risk?

Some populations appear to be at greater risk of drug abuse than others. While anyone can be affected by HIV, some particular patient groups are at higher risk due to a number of complex factors. For example, African Americans make up about 12% of the U.S. population. But, they account for about half of the total AIDS cases that are diagnosed. African-American women account for nearly 7 out of 10 female HIV diagnoses. About 10 years ago, HIV infection was a leading cause of death for African-American women between the ages of 25 and 34. It was also a leading cause of death for African-American men of all ages and Hispanic women between the ages of 35 and 44.

injection paraphernalia. When this happens, HIV can be transmitted between users. Addiction to drugs like crack cocaine can further increase the risk of spreading HIV. Another key aspect of drug abuse is the physiological consequences.

Drug abuse and addiction can affect a person’s overall health. They can also increase the risk of HIV progressing to AIDS. Drugs of abuse and HIV both affect the brain. Studies have shown that HIV causes injury to the cells in the brain. Mental impairment is much higher among methamphetamine abusers than for people with HIV who do not abuse these drugs. In fact, some animal studies suggest that methamphetamine actually increases the amount of HIV in brain cells.

Drug Use Linked to Impairments

Considering Coinfection

When a person gets intoxicated from drugs, it affects the users’ mental status and judgment. In turn, this can raise the likelihood of engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, especially unprotected sex.

Unsafe sexual practices put others at risk for getting HIV. Furthermore, drug abuse can lead to a failure of people with HIV to take their antiretroviral therapies as prescribed.

In some cases, abused drugs can make you more susceptible to other infections, most notably hepatitis C. Hepatitis C can cause liver disease and permanent liver damage. About 400,000 people in the United States are “co-infected” with hepatitis C and HIV. Some studies have suggested that 85% to 90% of HIV-infected injection drug users may also be co-infected with hepatitis C. These co-infections can increase the severity of hepatitis C-associated problems and may make the progression to end-stage liver disease or death much quicker. HIV infection increases the risk of severe liver disease, especially among drug addicts co-infected with hepatitis C.

Drug abuse by any route—not just injection—can put a person at risk for getting HIV. When injection drugs are used, users sometimes share equipment, such as needles, syringes, and other drug

Treatment Is Available Since the late 1980s, research has shown that treating drug abuse is an effective way to prevent the spread of HIV. Fortunately, many resources are available to help kick drug abuse (see Table).

Drug abusers in treatment stop or reduce their drug use as well as their risky behaviors. This includes drug injection and unsafe sexual practices. Drug treatment programs also are important because they provide current information on HIV and AIDS as well as other related diseases. They also provide counseling and testing services and referrals for medical and social services. Programs can be tailored for specific populations too. For example, school- and community-based prevention programs designed for inner-city African-American boys have been shown to effectively reduce highrisk behaviors, including drug abuse and risky sexual practices.

Table |

Getting the Help You Need

Al-Anon Family Group: www.al-anon.alateen.org Alcoholics Anonymous: www.aa.org American Society of Addiction Medicine: www.asam.org Betty Ford Center: www.bettyfordcenter.org Cocaine Anonymous: www.ca.org Crystal Meth Anonymous: www.crystalmeth.org Hazelden Foundation: www.hazelden.org

S

tudies have shown that drug abuse is a big risk factor for contracting HIV. An estimated 1 million people in the country are living with HIV/AIDS, and about one-third of these cases have been linked directly or indirectly to injection drug use. What’s worse is this problem has been linked to about 4 out of every 10 deaths resulting from AIDS.

Marijuana Anonymous: www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Injection drug use is well known as a problem relating to HIV, but drugs that are not injected can also lead to the spread of HIV. The addictive and intoxicating effects of many drugs can alter judgment and inhibition. This may lead people to engage in impulsive and unsafe behaviors.

National Institute on Drug Abuse: www.drugabuse.gov

Narconon Arrowhead: www.stopaddiction.com Narcotics Anonymous: www.na.org National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information Center: www.addictioncareoptions.com

Phoenix House: www.phoenixhouse.org Recovery Resources Online: www.soberrecovery.com SMART Recovery: www.smartrecovery.org U.S. Directory of Drug Abuse and Alcoholism Treatment and Prevention Programs: findtreatment.samhsa.gov Women for Sobriety, Inc.: womenforsobriety.org Source: CDC (www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/idu.htm).

Getting Help for

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse and addiction have forever been linked with HIV, but resources are available to help you kick your habit and live a longer, healthier life.

Who’s At Risk?

Some populations appear to be at greater risk of drug abuse than others. While anyone can be affected by HIV, some particular patient groups are at higher risk due to a number of complex factors. For example, African Americans make up about 12% of the U.S. population. But, they account for about half of the total AIDS cases that are diagnosed. African-American women account for nearly 7 out of 10 female HIV diagnoses. About 10 years ago, HIV infection was a leading cause of death for African-American women between the ages of 25 and 34. It was also a leading cause of death for African-American men of all ages and Hispanic women between the ages of 35 and 44.

injection paraphernalia. When this happens, HIV can be transmitted between users. Addiction to drugs like crack cocaine can further increase the risk of spreading HIV. Another key aspect of drug abuse is the physiological consequences.

Drug abuse and addiction can affect a person’s overall health. They can also increase the risk of HIV progressing to AIDS. Drugs of abuse and HIV both affect the brain. Studies have shown that HIV causes injury to the cells in the brain. Mental impairment is much higher among methamphetamine abusers than for people with HIV who do not abuse these drugs. In fact, some animal studies suggest that methamphetamine actually increases the amount of HIV in brain cells.

Drug Use Linked to Impairments

Considering Coinfection

When a person gets intoxicated from drugs, it affects the users’ mental status and judgment. In turn, this can raise the likelihood of engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, especially unprotected sex.

Unsafe sexual practices put others at risk for getting HIV. Furthermore, drug abuse can lead to a failure of people with HIV to take their antiretroviral therapies as prescribed.

In some cases, abused drugs can make you more susceptible to other infections, most notably hepatitis C. Hepatitis C can cause liver disease and permanent liver damage. About 400,000 people in the United States are “co-infected” with hepatitis C and HIV. Some studies have suggested that 85% to 90% of HIV-infected injection drug users may also be co-infected with hepatitis C. These co-infections can increase the severity of hepatitis C-associated problems and may make the progression to end-stage liver disease or death much quicker. HIV infection increases the risk of severe liver disease, especially among drug addicts co-infected with hepatitis C.

Drug abuse by any route—not just injection—can put a person at risk for getting HIV. When injection drugs are used, users sometimes share equipment, such as needles, syringes, and other drug

Treatment Is Available Since the late 1980s, research has shown that treating drug abuse is an effective way to prevent the spread of HIV. Fortunately, many resources are available to help kick drug abuse (see Table).

Drug abusers in treatment stop or reduce their drug use as well as their risky behaviors. This includes drug injection and unsafe sexual practices. Drug treatment programs also are important because they provide current information on HIV and AIDS as well as other related diseases. They also provide counseling and testing services and referrals for medical and social services. Programs can be tailored for specific populations too. For example, school- and community-based prevention programs designed for inner-city African-American boys have been shown to effectively reduce highrisk behaviors, including drug abuse and risky sexual practices.

Table |

Getting the Help You Need

Al-Anon Family Group: www.al-anon.alateen.org Alcoholics Anonymous: www.aa.org American Society of Addiction Medicine: www.asam.org Betty Ford Center: www.bettyfordcenter.org Cocaine Anonymous: www.ca.org Crystal Meth Anonymous: www.crystalmeth.org Hazelden Foundation: www.hazelden.org

S

tudies have shown that drug abuse is a big risk factor for contracting HIV. An estimated 1 million people in the country are living with HIV/AIDS, and about one-third of these cases have been linked directly or indirectly to injection drug use. What’s worse is this problem has been linked to about 4 out of every 10 deaths resulting from AIDS.

Marijuana Anonymous: www.marijuana-anonymous.org

Injection drug use is well known as a problem relating to HIV, but drugs that are not injected can also lead to the spread of HIV. The addictive and intoxicating effects of many drugs can alter judgment and inhibition. This may lead people to engage in impulsive and unsafe behaviors.

National Institute on Drug Abuse: www.drugabuse.gov

Narconon Arrowhead: www.stopaddiction.com Narcotics Anonymous: www.na.org National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information Center: www.addictioncareoptions.com

Phoenix House: www.phoenixhouse.org Recovery Resources Online: www.soberrecovery.com SMART Recovery: www.smartrecovery.org U.S. Directory of Drug Abuse and Alcoholism Treatment and Prevention Programs: findtreatment.samhsa.gov Women for Sobriety, Inc.: womenforsobriety.org Source: CDC (www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/idu.htm).