Supplementing Zinc: A Simple and Safe Way to Prevent Diarrhea and Boost Immunity in HIV-Infected Children
Zinc is an essential mineral crucial for the development and functioning of the immune system. However, there has long been concern that for HIV patients, zinc could pose risks since the AIDS virus also requires it for replication.
Nevertheless, a recent study conducted by American and South African scientists has found that zinc is safe for HIV-infected children, who are particularly vulnerable to infections that can lead to fatal outcomes.
Among the 96 children participating in the study, those who received zinc supplements over a six-month period experienced fewer instances of diarrhea compared to those who were given a placebo. Furthermore, zinc did not cause any adverse reactions, as confirmed by the lead researcher, William Moss from Johns Hopkins University.
Currently, despite the World Health Organization’s efforts to improve access to AIDS treatment in impoverished countries, many children still do not receive these interventions. “As a result, more than half of children infected with HIV die before the age of three, largely due to respiratory infections and diarrhea.”
According to the latest statistics from UNAIDS, there are approximately 40.3 million people worldwide living with HIV, including 2.3 million children under the age of 15. In 2005 alone, around 570,000 children died from AIDS, while there are still very few interventions available to reduce mortality rates among HIV-infected children.
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