[Viva] common cold

Mon May 30 10:54:50 PDT 2011

Hi Denise and all,

I explored this issue of colds/flus way back when my CD 4 hit rock bottom
and I was worried about ....well, pretty much everything!  

I learned that generally speaking and ironically, people with HIV (PHAs) are
not as vulnerable to cold/flus as you would think.  Shelley was on the right
track talking about different 'arms' of the immune system. They are listed
below. Very basically, the two arms may act like a see-saw and if one arm is
challenged,  (the cell mediated arm is suppressed when fighting HIV), then
the Humoral arm (responsible for foreign invaders like colds/flus) is more
active and able to fight off those kind of infections. 

However, this info is from pre-HAART or ARVs so I'm not sure how that may or
may not affect things!  Also, see below about Echinacea just so everyone
knows not to overuse certain natural/herbal remedies.

But what has worked beautifully for me is this:  when I get even an inkling
of a cold/flu, I take zinc, vit c and oregano oil.  That has nipped it in
the bud every time for the past 3 -4 years I have been cold free.  Also had
some success with COLD FX which is actually an isolated form of Ginseng (but
very expensive and prohibitive for many PHAs!)

This info is taken from The Body (www.thebody.com)

Cell-Mediated Immunity 

Immune protection provided by the direct action of immune cells. With this
type of immune protection, the response to infectious micro-organisms is
performed by specific cells, such as CD8 cells, macrophages, and other white
blood cells, rather than by antibodies. The main role of cell-mediated
immunity is to fight viral infections.

Humoral Immunity 

Term used to describe the body's antibody-based immune response, as opposed
to its cell-based immune response (cellular immunity). Immune cells called B
cells produce antibodies against foreign invaders. 

Can People With HIV Use Echinacea?

Many people with HIV have used echinacea because it stimulates the immune
system, or for short-term treatment of colds and the flu. The use of
echinacea for people with HIV is controversial. 

Some doctors believe that it is not a good idea to stimulate the immune
system in people who have some type of immune disorder. Increasing the
activation of CD4 cells could give HIV more "target cells" to infect. Other
doctors believe that some parts of the immune system are already overactive,
causing damage to healthy cells and tissues. 

Some researchers believe that short-term use of echinacea (up to two weeks)
to treat colds or flu does not present any serious risks to people with HIV.
However, both AIDS researchers and herbalists warn against long-term use of
echinacea. 

From: viva-bounces at lists.resist.ca [mailto:viva-bounces at lists.resist.ca] On
Behalf Of Denise Becker
Sent: May-30-11 10:46 AM
To: viva
Subject: Re: [Viva] common cold

Hi everyone!

Oh, Shannon!  Yes, of course I remember you are in Abbotsford now.  You have
a  very good CD4, how long have you had HIV? Do you know your percentage?  I
had quite a few colds in Abbotsford too before moving to Kelowna - it may be
because Kelowna is so dry.  There are so many questions I would like to ask
because I think this is interesting to know why some women are not getting
colds.  I wonder if it has anything to do with what meds you are on.  I am
on Kivexa and Atazanavir but just quit Tenofovir because it was giving me
kidney problems.  I am allergic to sulphur (spelling?) and can't have that
in any antibiotics or cold medicine that contain it... I get a rash and have
trouble breathing.

It would be really interesting to do a survey of everyone and find out what
reactions they have had to various meds and if they have experienced any
colds.  Would any of you be interested in knowing things like this?

I am tired of research but would like to see Viva do a survey some time of
some things - we are actually a very strong organization to have so many
positive women who communicate to each other.

Thanks Shannon.

Denise

On Mon, May 30, 2011 at 8:27 AM, Shannon McKee Carlisle <mckee_law at msn.com>
wrote:

Hi Denise,

I am happy to share. I'm in Abbotsford. My counts are 1100 CD4, undetectable
viral load. Except for my high cholesterol and bilirubin, nothing else is
flagged in my blood work. My vitamin D was a little low which is of course
from a lack of sunshine. I am pretty fortunate that Dr. Burdge started me on
ARV's before my CD4 dropped below 400 that may be why my CD4 is so high, but
I'm not certain. I can't believe how loopy cold meds make me feel though....
hehehe.

Take care,

Shannon

From: Denise Becker <mailto:dbecker106 at gmail.com>  

Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 12:04 PM

To: viva at lists.resist.ca 

Subject: Re: [Viva] common cold

oh! that is interesting, Shannon.  I would like to ask you some questions
about where you live and what your counts are.  If you feel like replying
then do but I don't want to get too personal so if it is a problem when
don't worry about it. 

Denise

On Sat, May 28, 2011 at 11:57 AM, Shannon McKee Carlisle <mckee_law at msn.com>
wrote:

Hi Denise,

I have a runny nose, congestion, a productive cough, lots of phlegm, sore
throat, did I mention a runny nose... hehehe. I have no time for a cold, so
Tylenol Cold, Day and Night formula is my new best friend....hehehe.

Take care,

Shannon 

From: Denise Becker <mailto:dbecker106 at gmail.com>  

Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 7:33 AM

To: viva at lists.resist.ca 

Subject: Re: [Viva] common cold

Wow, that is a great CD4 count Shannon and your husband's is good too!  So
do you have a cold or cough or what? 

I like your ideas re. PWN, a fundraiser or part of the Walk proceeds would
be great.

Denise

On Wed, May 25, 2011 at 8:57 PM, Shannon McKee Carlisle <mckee_law at msn.com>
wrote:

I have these three teenage girls age 14, 16 and 17. Everyone has been sick
in my house for at least a month now. Everyone has been on a round of
antibiotics except me. My husband has been on his second round. His CD4 is
around 700 and mine is a whopping 1100. I am sick though I think I am just
too busy to notice. So, this year we have had two significant colds that
have caused prolonged sickness within our family, especially my husband.
Which is crappy. No flus though. I make certain that everyone gets their flu
shot every year.

I hope everyone is doing well,

Oh ya...in regards to the PWN thing .... I really don't mind if they can
make a donation; or they could potentially 'fund a by and for' project that
VIVA facilitates that would employ a positive woman; they could put on a
fundraiser for VIVA; they could advertise for increased membership to
VIVA..... otherwise.... I have personally suffered too many sleepless nights
worrying about the autonomy of this group.... I would hate to start worrying
again..... 

Love to all,

Shannon Carlisle

From: Denise Becker <mailto:dbecker106 at gmail.com>  

Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 3:23 PM

To: viva <mailto:Viva at lists.resist.ca>  

Subject: [Viva] common cold

I am just wondering what other Viva members have suffered in terms of the
common cold.  Since I have been on the meds and I moved to the Okanagan in
1997, I cannot ever remember having a cold.  Has anyone else had a bad cold
or even a common cold?  I am just wondering if there is something to this.
Admittedly, I don't have children to pass one on to me! 

Denise Becker

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