The system which protects you from infectious organisms is called as the immune system. When this immune system comes under attack your body cannot function well. This condition of your body, in which the functioning of the defence mechanism of your body is impaired by a virus called HIV, is called AIDS. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus gradually damages the cells of your immune system, making your body susceptible to opportunistic infections, infections that do not cause the disease but become pathogenic when your body’s immune system is impaired. According to the United Nations, the deadly virus has infected an estimated 39.5 million people worldwide. Sexual contact with an infected person is mainly responsible for transmission of the virus. It may also spread when an AIDS infected mother breastfeeds her baby. Infection through use of syringes used by an AIDS patient is the most common reason behind the spread of the disease. You may not know when the virus has infected you because you may have no signs or symptoms of the deadly disease initially. After three to six weeks you may develop rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, nausea or sore throat. These symptoms usually disappear within a month or so. The virus continues to multiply and gradually destroys your immune system which becomes weaker day by day, making the body vulnerable to infections.

A person infected with HIV loses strength as his/her immune system gets deprived of the ability to fight minor infections. As a result, many illnesses develop. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is the cancer of lymph glands, Kaposi’s sarcoma, tumour of the blood vessel walls, cervical cancer, skin cancer, salmonellosis or food poisoning, tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus infection, which damages the eyes, viral hepatitis, a viral infection of the liver and cytomegalovirus infection, which can affect any organ of your body, are some of the illnesses caused if you are suffering from AIDS. Other illnesses caused due to AIDS include painful swallowing, memory loss, persistent headaches, shortness of breath, soaking night sweats, diarrhoea, vomiting, confusion, vision loss, blurred and distorted vision, vomiting, swelling of glands located in the throat, armpit and groin, unusual blemishes on the tongue or in the throat, coma, depression, muscular stiffness or aching, seizures and lack of coordination, purple spots on the surface of the skin, inside the mouth, anus or nasal passages, severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections, pneumonia, anaemia, weight loss, bouts of extreme exhaustion, easy bruising, severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet and paralysis or loss of muscular strength.

There has been a lot of research on treatment of AIDS. However, there are no drugs which can kill the virus. Drugs that mitigate opportunistic infections can palliate the illnesses caused due to the virus. Antiretroviral medications help in minimising opportunistic infections but not all infections can be treated with the use of these medications.

Human beings cannot function well in the absence of a strong immune system. A person gets affected by AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, when his/her immune system becomes too weak to fight off infections. A virus called HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, progressively impairs the cells of your immune system and hence your body becomes vulnerable to infections. This condition is called AIDS, a disease which has affected approximately 39.5 million people worldwide. The virus gets transmitted through sexual intercourse or use of needle or syringe used by a HIV infected patient. If a mother of an infant is infected by HIV then there are chances that the baby might get infected with the virus through breast feeding. There might be no symptoms of the disease when you are first infected with the virus. It will be after three to six weeks that you will get a flu-like illness. This sickness might include headache, fever, rash, enlarged lymph nodes, tiredness, nausea and sore throat. As soon as the virus enters your body, your immune system comes under attack. However, within a week or a month, the symptoms might disappear urging you to think that it was just a viral infection.

Making your body weak, HIV might cause various diseases in your body, like skin cancer, cervical cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is the cancer of lymph glands, tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus infection, which damages the eyes, and viral hepatitis, a viral infection of the liver. AIDS also causes ailments like diarrhoea, anaemia, fever, weight loss, cough, severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections, shortness of breath, soaking night sweats, persistent headaches, memory loss, depression, unexplained and prolonged fatigue, blurred and distorted vision, swelling of glands located in the throat, armpit and groin, white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue or in the throat, severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, purple spots on the surface of the skin, inside the mouth, anus or nasal passages, forgetfulness, confusion, vision loss, difficult or painful swallowing, abdominal cramps, vomiting, paralysis or loss of muscular strength, coma, neck stiffness, seizures and lack of coordination, pneumonia and other health complications.

Unfortunately, there are no sure fire drugs which can cure this dreaded disease. However, there are certain drugs that can impede the HIV, thus slowing down the process of damage to your immune system. Treating opportunistic infections, infections that do not cause the disease but become pathogenic when your body’s immune system is impaired and unable to fight off infection, is also helpful in mitigating the ailments caused due to AIDS. Antiretroviral (ARV) medications can be useful in reducing opportunistic infections. If ARV treatment is effective then the deterioration of your immune system and the onset of AIDS can be delayed for years.

If you are going to a party, you may want to put on the costliest dress and use the best makeup to accentuate the features of your face. However, do you think you will be the centre of attention with lacklustre skin?

Obviously not! Only a glowing skin can catch the attention of all eyes. It is not easy to have great skin. This largest organ of the human body needs constant care. Skin care is not just about removing the makeup before going to bed or using an umbrella under the sun. It is a process, wherein you keep nourishing your skin, so that it remains aglow all through the year.

When it’s about skin care, the first thing you need to determine is your skin type. Well, there are basically five types:

• Oily
• Combination
• Dry
• Normal
• Sensitive

Wondering what your skin type is? Just read on. If your face feels greasy all the time, then you have oily skin. If the oil is confined to the ‘T’ area of your face; around your nose, forehead and chin, then you surely have a combination skin. Skin falling in flakes suggests a dry skin. You are a lucky if you have normal skin, which is neither greasy nor dry and is free from spots and blemishes. Those with sensitive skin must double check anything they apply on the face and be wary of the effects of temperature changes on the skin.

No matter what your skin type, regular skin care is essential to keep your skin glittering through all seasons of the year.

When it comes to skin care, there are a numbers of products available in the market. Applying the right product may give you wonderful skin but if it contains some harmful chemicals, this may cause side effects which may permanently damage your skin. To be on the safe side, it is best to use herbal beauty products.

For centuries, herbs, the gifts of nature, have been used in different countries like China, India and Egypt, to treat ailments. Preparing herbal medicine involves ingesting the plants and seeing if some of the elements in the plant palliate the ailments.

The most important benefit of herbal skin care products is that they do not contain any preservatives and are eco-friendly. From acne to wrinkles, herbal medicines are the sure fire way to ease them out.

With the number of herbal products available in the market in the form of tablets, oils, gels, potions and packs it is now easy for you to pamper your skin in the way you like. It does not matter if you live far from the nearest herbal store. Many of the herbal products can be made at home using simple every day ingredients. Products like aloe vera, turmeric, coconut oil, oat meal, almonds, garlic, honey, castor oil are some of the common ingredients used in making herbal remedies. Even fruits like apple, mango, and banana are used to make herbal remedies.

It may take time for you to shop for products in the market but it may be a lot easier for you to maintain your skin with herbal preparations which you can make at home.

Along with treating the skin ailment you are suffering from, herbal care keeps your skin looking healthy and fresh by providing nutrition and stimulation to the skin and other vital organs of the body.  The magic of the ancient herbs can help you keep your skin revitalised and make it appear supple.