COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES IN HIV/AIDS

Abstract

In spite of being a world-wide priority, only a 10% of the people living with HIV and AIDS have access to the antiretroviral treatments (ART), although is the only treatment to diminish the mortality of the affected group, its use is not free of immediate and long-term adverse effects that lead to other chronic pathologies. The present bibliographical study has the objective to analyze the literature available on complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) used by the people who live with HIV and AIDS. It is reported that 40 - 70% of the population living with HIV in developed countries use some type of CAM. Literature demonstrates a little development of research in the area and reports lack of acceptance of CAM in conventional medicine, originating that often users do not inform. In addition, the lack of knowledge on the use of CAM in health professionals who offer conventional treatment is detrimental for adequate care, due to ignorance of possible interactions between both therapies and lack of scientific evidence of good quality justifying its use. Although many deficits in evidence still exist, the people living with HIV report a high use of CAM due to their therapeutic effects, mainly in the improvement of their perception of quality of life and collateral effects of antiretroviral treatment. It is necessary to extend local research to the use of CAM as an appropriate and safe tool in the treatment of people living with VIH.