Alternative therapies for the holistic care of the HIV/AIDS patient

Abstract

The holistic nursing care of individuals infected with HIV/AIDS involves promoting psychological and physiological well-being as well as fostering socio-cultural relationships and supporting the fulfilment of spiritual aspirations. HIV/AIDS is a complex disease requiring complex holistic nursing care. The allopathic management of HIV/AIDS takes a biomedical approach and includes treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HAART is not entirely beneficial on it own. Alternative therapies can be used as an adjunct to HAART Alternative therapies provide a means of providing holistic nursing care to HIV/AIDS infected individuals and thus ensuring overall wellbeing of the HIV/AIDS infected individual. Alternative therapies that can be used for the holistic nursing care of HIV/AIDS infection include psychological, mental and emotional therapies, therapeutic touch, nutrition, vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, Chinese medicine and homeopathy, traditional medicine, lifestyle changes and fostering spiritual well-being. This article provides an overview of alternative therapies that can be used in the holistic nursing care of the HIV/AIDS patient.