AIDS and Your Feet
Definition
There are thousands of people who become
infected with HIV each day. HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency
Virus. This virus weakens the body’s immune system so it is unable to do
its job effectively. During the late stage of the HIV infection, AIDS
(Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) develops. People who are infected
with HIV may not develop AIDS for many years. This means that people with
HIV can appear to be healthy and normal but their health will eventually
decline. It is important for people to understand that they can pass the
virus to other people even though they have not developed AIDS at that
point in time.
Different illnesses that affect AIDS
patients include severe diarrhea, pneumonia, tuberculosis, skin cancer,
fever and skin infections. Due to the body’s weakened immune system,
people infected with the AIDS virus are unable to fight off infections. In
addition to these illnesses, people with AIDS often develop peripheral
neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a disease that affects the nerves
located outside the central nervous system. Neuropathy leads to
insensitivity, stiffness, and numbness in the feet. These problems can
also lead to foot deformities such as Bunions, Hammer Toes, Metatarsalgia,
and many others. These complications should be taken care of immediately
to prevent more serious problems such as the development of ulcers and
possibly even amputation.
Cause
AIDS develops from the virus HIV.
Scientists have traced the origin of the HIV virus to an African primate,
specifically to a subspecies of the chimpanzee.
The HIV virus is found in fluids such as:
blood, vaginal secretion, semen, and breast milk.
Therefore the virus can be passed on by the
following:
- Sex with an infected person
- Passed from a mother to her
unborn child
- Blood transfusions with
infected blood
- Injections with
nonsterilized equipment
One of the highest growing age groups
infected with the HIV virus is young adults under the age of 25. They
account for about half of all new HIV infections in the United States
alone. AIDS is the second leading cause of death among people between the
ages of 25 and 44.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Approximately 30% of those infected with
AIDS develop a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral
neuropathy is a disease of the nerves. These nerves are located outside
the central nervous system. Neuropathy can cause insensitivity or a loss
of ability to feel pain, heat, and cold. People suffering from neuropathy
can develop minor cuts, scrapes, blisters, or pressure sores that they may
not be aware of due to their inability to sense pain. If these minor
injuries are left untreated, complications may result and lead to
ulceration and possibly even amputation. Neuropathy can also cause foot
deformities such as Bunions, Hammer Toes, Metatarsalgia, and Charcot Feet.
It is very important for people with AIDS
to take the necessary precautions to prevent all foot-related injuries.
Due to the consequences of neuropathy, daily observation of the feet is
critical. By following the necessary preventative foot care measures, you
can reduce the risk of developing serious foot conditions.
Treatment and Prevention
There is no vaccine or cure for the HIV
virus that causes AIDS.
HIV is most frequently transmitted
sexually. Because of this, the key to prevention is education. The best
way for people to prevent the disease from spreading among the population
is to know how to protect themselves from becoming infected.
People with AIDS are at high risk for
developing neuropathy and other serious foot complications. Because of
this fact, special attention must be focused on foot health management.
Footwear and orthotics play an important role in footcare. Orthotics
designed with Plastazote“ foam are recommended to protect the insensitive,
neuropathic AIDS foot. Plastazote is a material designed to accommodate
pressure “hot spots” by conforming to heat and pressure. By customizing to
the foot, Plastazote provides superior comfort and protection for feet.
For these reasons, footwear constructed with Plastazote is highly
recommended for the people who have AIDS.
Footwear for people with AIDS should also
provide the following protective benefits:
- High, wide toe box (high and
wide space in the toe area)
- Removable insoles for
fitting flexibility and the option to insert orthotics if necessary.
- Rocker Soles designed to
reduce pressure in the areas of the foot
- most susceptible to pain,
most notably the ball-of-the-foot.
- Firm Heel Counters for
support and stability.
If you have AIDS and are experiencing a
foot problem, immediately consult with your foot doctor.
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