HIV and Alternative Therapies
by Bradford McIntyre
For more than 18
years I have been living with HIV virus in my body. I have gone
without drug treatments for 13 of those years, using alternative
and complementary therapies instead. While on drug medications,
I have included alternative therapies and have been able to positively
impact my immune system and decrease viral load.
Those suffering with illness and those who have
watched loved ones get sick and die know all too well that many
health conditions were either not diagnosed or misdiagnosed. In
my own situation this has happened numerous times. Often, my health
problems have not been dealt with by medical resources - it has
been naturopathic physicians and complementary therapies that
have eradicated a problem.
There are too few individuals who are not afraid
to talk about the fact they have been infected with HIV and who
are working to create awareness and education of the many issues
surrounding HIV/AIDS. There is very little attention given to
those who would voice alternative methods of managing HIV/AIDS.
Even the voices of AIDS activists have been lost
due to the fact many AIDS organizations are receiving funding
from both government and pharmaceutical companies. To speak out
in support for alternative choices in treatment would upset those
providing the funds and result in possible removal of that financial
support.
The pharmaceutical companies would have us believe
that individuals are living longer solely due to anti-virals and
protease inhibitors. This is only party true. Certainly, there
are many individuals experiencing the benefits of the many drug
options. But there are even more who cannot tolerate or have not
taken any anti-viral drugs who are living long and healthy lives,
full of vitality, without them.
It seems there is only money in illness, and no
money in wellness. Funding, education and implementation of alternative
and complementary therapies in our health care system and recognizing
the importance of naturopathic medicine is paramount. It is the
responsibility of government to include and provide these in our
health care. With choice there is hope!
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