COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USE AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV OR AIDS

Summary

HIV and AIDS is cause for concern al/ over the globe, however only 3 million people were reported to have access to antiretroviral treatment in 2007, and only 11.6 million are projected to have access in 2015. The purpose of this article is to review the existing literature on the use of complementary/alternative medicines and therapies (CAM) among people living with HIV or AIDS in order to suggest its incorporation into mainstream treatment plans. CAM is used to treat many aspects of living with HIV, whether biological, social or psychological. Searches were conducted including articles written in the past five years between June 1, 2011 and June 3, 2011. CAM is often chosen as a way to manage issues that antiretroviral medications do not control, for examp/e the emotional aspects of living with HIV. CAM can potentially serve as a method of giving people living with HIV more integral, patient-centered treatment