• Fluid may build up in body tissues, especially the legs, because KS lesions can block drainage. Local radiation
may relieve the obstruction. The use of diuretics (medicines that increase the flow of urine) under close
supervision is also sometimes effective.
• Psychosocial aspects of the illness also have to be dealt with. Dealing with the fear of death is a continuing
problem, and with the high incidence of AIDS-related KS in North America there are many problems such as
job loss and job discrimination, unwarranted public fear, treatment costs and facilities and death in young
people.
Help may be found from a variety of organizations devoted to these problems. In some communities the spectrum of help ranges from psychiatry/counseling to the exceedingly valuable support given in one-to-one contact through such groups as Shanti.
