ABSTRACT
Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) remains one of the most important public health challenges worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. During an HIV infection, a long-term practice of adequate nutrition would compensate for energy lost due to HIV infection and would help the body resist further infections. The supplementation of vitamin E, for example, has been shown to increase the expression of human C-C chemokine receptor 5 (the major cell entry coreceptor for T-cell line-tropic and macrophage-tropic strains of HIV-1), hence an increased infection of CD4 cells and whence an increased viral load. Low serum selenium level exacerbates the oxidative stress induced by HIV, increasing the risk of mortality and the occurrence of AIDS-related opportunistic infections. Strategies to assure effective prevention of HIV infection among children and adults include providing free HIV testing campaigns, strengthening the capacities of HIV prevention services, providing contraceptives and counseling, and providing HIV care and treatment to infected persons timely.
