How wonderful your dad has someone to care about and for him. I do not have any information on the end stages of HIV, I do think though that you can enter the HIV forum and get more information.
I will keep you in my prayers, M4now
THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR FEED BACK. I WILL KNOW HIS COMPLETE BLOOD WORK TOMORROW. I GUESS IM VERY NERVOUS BECAUSE MY FATHER HAS AIDS. I WANT TO BE THER FOR HIM THE MOST I CAN BUT IT'S HARD WITH 2 SMALL BOYS BOTH UNDER 2 YEARS OLD. ANOTHER QUESTION? WHAT AM I ABOUT TO INCOUNTER WITH THE END-STAGES OF AIDS? HAS ANYONE EVER DEALT WITH THIS DISEASE?
Hey,
Infectious disease Dr's arent' hard to find. Only ones who treat both at the same time. Most HIV Dr's don't unfortunately............
In Him,
R
I didn't know that infectious disease docs are hard to find. Thanks for the heads-up. You're right a large university/medical center would be the best bet.
There is no immunity for hep C. Everyone should be vaccinated for hep A & B no matter their hep C status.
I have to agree with Meki and Jennypenny concerning this report that you've given us. These, from my understanding, are not indicative of liver failure; however, can I be certain? Not absolutely. Please let us know when you find out......
In Him
Good morning,
As a coninfected person dealing with both. I do know for a fact that because the HIV meds are sooooo toxic regardless of how helpful they can be. They, unfortunately, can and do play a toll on the liver. As we know the liver is an organ that filters a lot of things in our bodies. With these elevated enyzmes, it would be in his best interested to get tested for the Hep A,B,and C. Should he show immunity against the Hep C. Then I would without a doubt recommend that he get the vaccination for A and B right away. Has he just switched medications for his HIV? If so usually the body will show elevated enzymes then somewhat stablize or in rare cases fall back into normal ranges.
It is difficult to find an HIV Dr who treats both diseases regardless of their title of infectious disease Dr. They usually partner with another Dr in their care such as a Hepatologist. Should he test positive for the Hep C virus, and I hope that he doesn't, then they, his treating HIV physician, should also have tested fort his Genotype as well. These are important to know. Should he be positive they will more than likely schedule a biopsy to determine how far along the disease has progressed. Also I would seek a University Hospital if you're close by. They do have, I feel, cutting edge treatment and care. Wishing you the best.......
In Him,
That does not indicate liver failure. In fact when the liver fails the ALT/AST usually drop because there is not enough tissue that can leak these enzymes into the blood stream. Liver failure would give him symptoms such as ascites (looks like a pregnant belly), encephalopathy (sleepiness, forgetfulness the kind where he can't find the street where he lives), easy bruising and those types of things. He would also see a drop in his serum albumin and elevated bilirubin. Between 30-40% of HIV patients do have hep C. He should be tested for that. Also, his HIV drugs can cause an elevation in his liver enzymes especially if he does have hep C. He needs a doctor who is well-versed in both disease. Usually that would be a doctor who specializes in infectious diseases. I wish him the best.
I don't know Haven... But those aren't the highest I've ever seen.
I don't think liver failure --- WITH THAT small amount of information - I'd have to know everything else...
Does he have Hep C also?
Meki