• Viral infection that results in a weakened immunity that may affect the entire body
• Symptoms may include fever, weight loss, cough and lymphadenopathy
• Commonly spread by sexual contact with an infected person, contact with infected blood or through sharing infected needles
• Can be transmitted from mother to infant during pregnancy or childbirth
• Affects males and females
• Can occur at any age
• Infection over time progresses to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• May be mild without symptoms to severe depending on the progression of the disease
• May become life threatening

• Avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs
• Maintain a healthy diet; increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grain and lean protein
• Avoid unpasteurized foods and raw foods such as sushi, eggs and oysters
• Get adequate sleep
• Exercise regularly
• Drink only purified water
• Decrease your level of stress where possible. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
• Wash your hands regularly
• Use safe sex practices

FOR COUGH

• Increase fluids (especially water)
• Suck on cough drops or hard sweets (candy)
• Use a cool air humidifier in room
• Avoid lung irritants such as smoke, household cleaners or allergens
• Over-the-counter cough medicine (refer to manufacturer’s recommendations for dosage):
  • Guaifenesin
  • Dextromethorphan

FOR DIARRHEA

• Drink plenty of fluids (especially water)
• Home oral rehydration solution (ORS):
  • Six (6) level teaspoons of Sugar
  • Half (1/2) level teaspoon of Salt
  • 1 L (5 cupful’s) of clean drinking or boiled water and then cooled
• Eat the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Apple sauce, Toast)
• If accompanied by nausea, suck on small pieces of ice (not small enough to choke on!)
• Avoid strenuous exercise
• Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicines (refer to manufacturer’s recommendation for dosage):
  • Loperamide
  • Bismuth subsalicylate

FOR FEVER

• Apply cool cloth to forehead or armpits
• Drink plenty of fluids (especially water)
• Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee as these drinks can cause slight dehydration
• Over-the-counter medicine (refer to manufacturer’s recommendations for dosage):
  • Acetaminophen
  • Ibuprofen
  • Aspirin (Do not give to children or adolescents)