HIV is a virus. AIDS is a syndrome. A syndrome is a set or collection of different problems with a common cause, in this case HIV.

HIV Weakens the immune system over time, so after quite some time of being infected, the immune system is so weak that other viruses, bacteria or fungi which often cause no problem to people with strong immune systems, become a problem.

There are many good treatments now, for both HIV and these other pathogens. So if your brother gets good care there is a very high likelihood that he will survive this and get better rather soon.

HIV infection also greatly increases the risk of leukemia and other problems that are not so easily treated. But these are very rare in comparison to more typical AIDS problems like pneumonia.

This is a good support group. Stick around, and encourage your brother to join this or a similar group too.

Other good sources of info:
http://www.aegis.org/
http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/lecture/hiv2000.htm
http://www.hivplusmag.com/
http://www.hivmedicine.com/
http://www.hivtest.org/links.cfm

Hey there. The good news is that there has been a lot of advancement in not only treating HIV, but AIDS-related illnesses, as well. Like your brother, I was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in April of last year. It was discovered because I became ill with pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), Crypto, MAC and thrush. It was very difficult and very frightening. I was in the hospital for nearly two months. My CD4 count was 12 and my VL was 350,000. While it was the most difficult time in my life, I got through it. I got through it with the help of my doctors and nurses as well as the treatments. After I got over the infections, I began HAART treatment. I am doing much better. I am back to working again (even did dry-walling and demolition, this fall). I actually feel a lot better than I have in a long time.

I know this is a frightening situation. But just know that this is all treatable and that all hope is not lost. Share my story with your brother. I am not unique. I know many people who have gone through exactly what I have. Hang in there and try to remain positive. It will not only help your brother, but it will help you, as well.

He's in the hospital right now with a 106 degree fever. His T-cell are below 30, his white blood count is basically non-exsistant and his liver enzymes are extremely high. He's got a really bad sinus infection and and absess on his throat. Their running all kinds of test and he's got about 7 doctors right now trying to figure all this out. He's frustated, my family is scared and these test results can't get back fast enough for us. He's 42 years old and living in California, so getting to him to help take care of his isn't that easy.

Thank you both for replying, I really appreciate it!

SquEARL, I'm sorry, I don't understand some of the abbreviations in your reply. What is a VL count? and what is HAART treatment? His Infectious Dr. wants to start aggressive HIV treatments, which my brother is fine with, but since we are learning as we go, it's all new to us.

Many years ago - even before multi-drug treatments were available - one of my friends wound up in the hospital with 6 T-cells and pneumonia. That was when he found out he had AIDS. At the time, he was making arrangements for me to sing at his funeral. We've lost touch now, but last I knew (about 7 years ago )he was working full time and going to nursing school, living in a fabulous high-rise apartment with a new boyfriend.
I don't blame you for being scared, but I thought it might help you to know that I've also seen people bounce back from circumstances like Squearl's.
I like http://www.thebody.com/index.html as a resource.
God bless.

Welcome to the group! I'm glad that you found it! I wish I had when I was first diagnosed.
I was also living in California when I was first diagnosed. I was very ill and knew very little about the disease.
The important thing to remember is that there are so many treatments available right now. Be proactive and agressive.
I left California to return to wyoming with my family with the idea that I was going to die. Seven years later, I am healthier than I ever was before and I have been "undetectable" for almost five years.
I also think it's important to focus on life..... There is power in positive thinking!
Take care of yourself and your family and let us know if there is anything we can do to help!

Hi..........welcome and I am sorry for what your brother and you are going thru. Just be there for him and help in anyway you can, my partner was in hospital with 5 T-cells and a parasite eating his brain, he has pulled thru and has a good quality of life, this was four and a half years ago. The meds are much better now then twenty years ago, if he can pull thru what he is currently experiencing chances are good he can have a good future................................

I apologize. I know you're not only new to the group, but all of this is new for you. VL is "Viral Load," and is how much of the virus is in you as measured in a unit of blood (mililitre). HAART is "Highly Agressive Antiretroviral Treatment" which is a much nicer term than "Meds." Once your brother is over his infections, he will begin this. They cannot start him on it now because it would be disasterous. Essentially, HAART will turn his immune system back on. If they do it now and it "wakes" up and finds these infections, it would be extremely terrible. i found this out because when I discovered that my CD4 count was 12 (when I was in like your brother is), I nearly stroked. I wanted to begin HAART immediately. My doctors told me I had to wait and that it was okay to wait (I thought I would die if I didn't begin them immediately). That's what the antibiotics are for. Your brother is probably receiving IV forms of Bactrim, Vanco, Penecylin. I ended up having a PIC (Peripheral IV Cathedor) becauswe they were drawing so much blood from me and giving me 24/7 IVs. My veins couldn't handle the normal IVs. They tested me for everything under the sun (AND I MADE SURE THEY DID, TOO). They will identify any and all infections your brother may have and treat them all. Don't worry. People don't die from this. I thought I was. I was scared to death and in a lot of pain. My doctors and nurses assured me that it gets worse before it gets better. I was in ICU for 10 days on 6 litres of oxygen. They were right. I got better. It took a while, but I did. I was down to 120 lbs. I'm back up to 145, which is my normal weight.

I know you are scared. He'll be okay. Like your brother, I was 3000 miles away from my family (I was in Seattle and my family was in FL). They couldn't be by my bedside because they were dealing with another crisis). That's what bothered me the most when I thought I was going to die (I didn't want to die alone). Again, my doctors and nurses assured me that I was going to be fine.

Just be by your brother's side through this. This is the beginning of the rest of his life, which is still going to be quite long. As sick as I was and with as many OI's (Opportunistic Infections) as I had, I feel better today than I have in a long time. Your brother will, too. It will take about 3 months of overall recovery. Tell him not to be discouraged from complications, either. I was (because of the PIC line, I ended up with Deep Vein Thrombosis in my right arm, which led to pulmonary embolisms). I ended up back in the hospital two more times after the initial infections. Again, all treatable stuff.

Good luck and hang in there.

earl

I'm glad your brother has you by his side. Family support will help him the most at bringing him around. I was alone and was lucky enough to live across the street from the hospital when I first got sick and literally crawled across the street for help.I even relapsed twice before, I hag the courage to tell my family I had a problem.
Your love and support will do wonders for him

Hello There, It seems as tho me and SquEARL have had a very similier journey... As most of the past post have said... The most important thing is for you to be there for your brother... and the second thing is for you to have a place to talk vent what have you... You can't do this alone, but we can be your listing board. this is over wellming..yes...confusing...yes... impossible for tomorrow... NO.. My sister and the rest of my faimily where only able to be with me in the very begining of my first hospital stay and it was only for 2 days.. But she called me and talked to me 10 to 15 times a day!!! Told her we should have an open phone line installed in my hospital room. If it was not for that I think I would have lost it.. So you "being" there in any way shape or form means the world to your brother. as SquEARL said he will get better it will take time. but he will get there.