Medical marijuana alleviates symptoms of HIV/AIDS and debilitating side effects of antiretroviral medications (ARVs).
Medical Marijuana and HIV/AIDS
Medical marijuana alleviates symptoms of HIV/AIDS and debilitating side effects of antiretroviral medications (ARVs).
Florida patients are eligible to receive a medical marijuana recommendation for HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infectious disease that attacks the body’s immune system. The virus enters white blood cells called T-helper, or CD4 cells, and makes copies of itself, then destroys them. As more and more CD4 cells die, the body is less and less able to fight off infections and diseases, including meningitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, tuberculosis, chronic diarrhea, and cancers.
Left untreated, HIV develops into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS eventually results in death, either from an infection, or from a wasting syndrome known as cachexia. The speed at which the disease progresses depends on the age, health, and background of the patient.
A person infected with HIV is said to be HIV-positive. There is no cure for HIV, but the virus can be controlled with a combination of antiretroviral medications (ARVs) that allow people with HIV to live longer and reduce the risk of HIV transmission. ARVs and other medications prescribed for HIV have side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, vomiting, and loss of appetite, that make life unpleasant.
From working with AIDS and cancer patients, I repeatedly saw how marijuana could ameliorate a patient’s debilitating fatigue, restore appetite, diminish pain, remedy nausea, cure vomiting and curtail down-to-the-bone weight loss.
– Kate Scannell, MD | Co-Director of Kaiser-Permanente Northern California Ethics Department
Soon after becoming infected with HIV, many people experience flu-like symptoms which go away after a few weeks. Then they might not experience noticeable symptoms for years, until the disease is advanced. For this reason, it is important to get tested if you think you might have HIV.
Early symptoms include:
Advanced symptoms include:
The transition from HIV to AIDS is often marked by the appearance of certain cancers such as Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and by devastating infections.
Both scientific studies and surveys of HIV/AIDS patients who use medical marijuana suggest that cannabis helps relieve symptoms, as well as the unpleasant side effects of HIV medications. In one survey, HIV/AIDS patients using medical marijuana were 3.3 times more likely to keep up with their medications.
Medical cannabis can:
Every person is unique. Some HIV patients require only a small dose, and some people find high-THC marijuana too strong. Consult a qualified CannaMD physician who can evaluate your situation and monitor your response.
Now Florida patients can use medical marijuana treatment to help with HIV/AIDS
Please click on the following links below to learn more about HIV/AIDS.
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