HIV children benefit from zinc

LONDON – Zinc supplements could be a simple and safe way to reduce illnesses such as diarrhoea in children infected with HIV, researchers said on Friday.

Zinc is an essential mineral for development and a healthy immune system but there has been concern about the safety of supplements for HIV patients because the virus that causes AIDS also needs it to function and replicate. But scientists from the US and South Africa, who studied the effect of the supplements in 96 children, said they are safe for children with HIV, which weakens the immune system.”Zinc supplementation could be a simple and cost-effective intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality in children with HIV infection,” said Dr William Moss, of Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.- Nampa-ReutersBut scientists from the US and South Africa, who studied the effect of the supplements in 96 children, said they are safe for children with HIV, which weakens the immune system.”Zinc supplementation could be a simple and cost-effective intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality in children with HIV infection,” said Dr William Moss, of Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.- Nampa-Reuters