Role of complementary therapies in HIV/AIDS.

Abstract

Complementary is a commonly used term to describe therapies that were viewed as alternatives to conventional medicine. This change in thinking is important when considering their use for people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). As orthodox medicine can offer support but not a cure for this condition, people with HIV/AIDS are seeking help from a variety of complementary therapies to enhance wellbeing and quality of life. This approach has also been adopted by many people living with other life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, where conventional medicine currently offers few guarantees of cure or remission. This article will focus on complementary therapies and the reasons for their use by people with HIV and AIDS, given the limits of current scientific research in this field. The qualities required by professionals offering complementary therapies and the close link of these therapies to the psychological and spiritual aspects of care for people with HIV/AIDS will be addressed.