Aids
and Foot Complaints
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 making it 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 of time.
Different illnesses that effect 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 effects 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.
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 unsterilized equipment
One of the highest growing age groups infected with
the HIV virus are 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.
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 These soles are 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.
