Blogging and Thanksgiving

It is now the week of Thanksgiving and I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and hope that your day is spent enjoyably, but also being thankful for the blessings in your life.

I am thankful for all the wonderful family that surrounds and supports me. I am thankful that this semester is almost over as attaining my B.S. has been a long haul for me and I am ready for some down time. I love to learn and plan to continue to learn new things even when I no longer take any classes at the University. I am thankful for my health. This class has made me more aware of the dangers within our world and, although we should not dwell on the negatives, we must be diligent in helping to educate, be proactive and, most importantly, be personally responsible in not engaging in risky behavior.

What I have learned in this class is that we all must share in the responsiblity of working to erradicate the HIV virus. This is a world virus and if we want to save our world, we must all do what we can to stop the spread of HIV through talking and educating others about the virus, and we need to stand up to our peers and let them know the dangers and how their behavior could change their lives, or the lives of others, forever. This may seem like such a small thing to do and you may ask how could this possibly help save the world, but by word of mouth and by being bold and speaking the truth, even if one person is kept from getting HIV, it will have been worth it.

Since I am interested in research and HIV, I found a website, http://www.fhi.org/NR/Shared/enFHI/ that talks about "first generation" of microbicides. These are vaginal gels and lubricants that could possibly keep a female from getting HIV. There is currently no effective vaginal microbicide on the market, but there are several that are currently being tested for effectiveness and safety. There are three types of microbicides being tested. First generation, which stops the virus before it can penetrate the cells, the next is based on antiretroviral drugs and interact with the "viral life cycle" (Web: fhi, 2009), and the third is a combination of the first two. The microbicides would need to be inserted prior to sexual intercourse to be effective. The gel or lubricant would damage the virus so that it could not infect the female cells. They are also currently working on a microbicide for anal intercourse.

Web: fhi, 2009), Clinical Research Update, retrieved from http://www.fhi.org/NR/Shared/enFHI/, on Nov. 23, 2009.

Stopping the Spread of HIV

This week the QOTW revolved around ways in which to stop the spread of HIV. I guess my age is showing, once again, as I took it as a social, interpersonal issue, whereas many of my classmates suggested concrete methods such as billboards and making this HIV class mandatory. I see the spread of HIV as a social issue that can mostly be changed by a change in societies attitude. First, we have to change societies attitude towards those who are already infected. Then we have to change our own attitudes about life and how we live it. We have to change our priorities too. Rather than worrying about whether or not we can afford the newest cell phone or IPod, we need to worry about being responsible for ourselves and those around us. When I say responsible I am referring to financially, medically, emotionally and personally. Once we take responsibility for ourselves, we will change much of our risky behavior that has gone rampant over the last 30 years. Now I know sex has been around for a long time, even longer than me, but there has been a trend towards "sex in your face" attitude. It is everywhere; TV, radio, magazines, books and CD's. You can't turn your TV on without hearing a commercial about Cialis, Viagra, and erectile disfunction, but no mention of STD's, pregnancies, and HIV. Why because it doesn't sell. This is the attitude that needs to change. We are obsessed with things and money, and having a life of leisure, sports and partying. We prefer to not take life too seriously.

I think some of my classmates had very good concrete ideas for helping with the spread of HIV, but putting condoms or needles in someone's hands will not guarantee they will use them. Yes, maybe they will and it will help, but it will not change the way society thinks about HIV and it will not help us to deal with the stigmas associated with HIV. This was my soapbox moment!

I'm growing in this class because I am enjoying all of the little tidbits of HIV/AIDS information that we are sharing each week. As part of the blog I think this is some of the best information as it is not so lengthy that you get bored or bogged down with statistics, but just enough information to make you stop and think about what you have read.

My tidbit for this week is from the AMA Morning Rounds dated, Tues, Nov. 17, 2009, STD rates continue to rise among American women, men. The CDC has indicated that "sexually spread diseases continue to rise" (Web: AMA, 2009). Many of the new 19 million cases are HPV. Unfortunately much of the data on HPV is from 2000 and although this data shows an increase, the CDC is concerned because they know it is outdated and that the numbers of "6.2 million new cases of HPV" (Web: AMA, 2009), is not accurate but under estimated. Much of the CDC's concern is from chlamydia and how it is mostly young women between the ages of 15 to 19 who are becoming infected. This will have an impact on fertility as well, (Web: AMA, 2009).
And you know that if sexual diseases like chlamydia and HPV are spreading that HIV is also spreading.

Web: AMA, 2009, STD rates Continue to rise among AMerican Women, men, Nov. 17, 2009, retrieved from http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4BO2C84D00039294000006DB....

AIDS in America

I finished the book "AIDS in America" by Susan Hunter. This was a required reading if you couldn't attend the panels. I wish I had went to the panels! I felt like this book was a waste of my time, which is very valuable to me right now. In my opinion Susan Hunter uses this book to bash President Bush and the Christian Coalition. I believe her book would have been more credible and would have made a greater impact if she had kept the book as informative rather than playing the "blame game". There were HIV positive people mentioned in the book but with her continuous "blame game" it took away from the real characters in the book. She spends very little time addressing personal responsibility and only vaguely goes into the lives of her characters. I came away after reading her book wishing I had made the drive to Orlando to go to the panels.

Ms. Hunter also spends some time in her book blaming the pharmaceutical companies for the spread of HIV and that their only purpose is to make money. I did some research and came across "HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Other Infectious Disease contributions" from the Hudson Institute (Web:Hudson Institute, 2009). Although this data was from 2004, Ms. Hunters book is from 2006, certainly not current information either way.

"The Merck Foundation provided $50 million to the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnership in Botswana. This partnership supports the construction of 32 regional treatment centers and has reached educators in 70 percent of the nation's primary and secondary schools (Web: Hudson, 2009). The Foundation also provides antiretroviral drug treatment for 24,000 of the 26, 000 AIDS patients enrolled. Merck provides HIV/AIDS support for African physicians as well as additional help financially and via medicines to 24 other countries (Web: Hudson, 2009).

Pfizer, Inc. and Bristol Myers Squibb combined contributed over $165 million dollars in the war against HIV/AIDs through various foundations and programs. This money goes towards medications, education, training, labs, supplies, etc. Many of the pharmaceutical companies work with UNAIDS to provide these services (Web: Hudson, 2009).

I know that the pharmaceutical companies are making money, and yes, they could probably donate more, but the point I am making is what would HIV/AIDS be like without their help?
Does bashing and ridculing manufacturers, the government, and groups make things better? Ms. Hunter leads you to believe that the pharmaceutical companies care only about profit and that they don't care about making a difference. I find this hard to believe when I read about people like Daria Hazuda, who is a researcher that discovered Isentress, a newly introduced HIV/AIDS medication that will help many suffering with HIV/AIDS today.

How am I growing in this class? There is no easy solution to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There are many grey areas for treatment options, testing, methods of control and educational standards. There are also many opinions on why and how we should fix the problem. I believe HIV/AIDS will be around for a very long time. I would be very surprised but thrilled if a cure was develped in my life time. I do think that we are the best nation and have contributed the most to fighting this virus, helping others around the world, and trying to make strides in eradicating it. Should the United States of America turn their backs on other countries, the majority of these countries would have many more deaths each and every year from HIV/AIDS as well as many other devastating illnesses.

My tidbit for this week is from POZ Magazine from Dec. 17, 2007. Thursday's Child, a nonprofit NYC organization is able to remain open due to donations. This organizations helps those with HIV/AIDS with "rent, utility, and food expenses" (Web: POZ, 2009). The organization will be able to stay open through the New Year after almost closing last December when budget cuts took place. Private donations were approximately $85,000. Additional funds were donated by MAC Cosmetics Global AIDS Fund of New York City and Toronto, Dowling College, Smithtown High School (Web: POZ, 2009). This is a good example of people helping people.

Web: Hudson Institute, 2009), A Review of Pharmaceutical Company Contributions: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Other Infectious Diseases, Oct. 2004, retrieved on Nov. 7, 2009 from http://spp.hudson.org/files/publications/AdelmanNorrisPharmCoReview.pdf

Web: POZ Magazine, 2009), Donations Keep AIDS Organization Alivew, Nov. 9, 2009, retrieved from http://www.poz.com/articles

Human Life Versus Animal LIfe

This week the QOTW was about using chimpanzees for testing for HIV breakthroughs. This was a more difficult question to me moreso than any of the other previous questions. I think there is a real gray area when it comes to using animals for the good of man. I do not want to see animals used/killed needlessly and so if the HIV testing that is being done is not working than it should stop. If it is not working then why do we continue to funnel dollars to this cause?
Asking for HIV positive volunteers is a great idea but how many would we actually get to volunteer and wouldn't it be more beneficial to test on non-positive HIV humans? With chimps having such a close resemblance of DNA to humans it makes them more vulnerable to those who think this is the most beneficial way to make progress in the fight against the virus. I am sure that there are many scientists who would say testing on chimps is the only way to go. I also know there are many humans who would rather we not test on animals which may limit our progress in the fight against HIV. So while we argue about the use of chimps or not for HIV testing the virus continues to spread and people continue to get sick and die.

How am I growing in this class? I think my education is expanding when it comes to HIV/AIDS facts, but I am realizing just how much stigmatism and shame come with being HIV positive. I have developed a sense of compasion for those who are infected and having to deal with their illness each and every day with no end in sight. The M & M Simulation has made me realize how inconvienced HIV positive people are with all the medications they must take and all of the side-effects involved. Its not like taking an antibiotic for 10 days. They must take this medication cocktail the rest of their lives and not miss a dose or risk mutation of the virus. The stress of dealing with the medications, the overall illness, and then the stigmatisms and fallout from those who are less knowledgeable about HIV can be overwhelming.

NYU is doing a study on the immune system of HIV positive people. Both men and woman are involved and the study revolves around the "type and number of immune cells present in their blood" (Web:NYU, 2009). These individuals are infected with HIV but have not progressed to AIDS. although they take no antiretroviral medications. For some reason their body's immune systems keep AIDS from evolving and progressing within their immune system. The study is on why and how this happens in some individuals which are also known as "long-term HIV survivors" or "thrivers" (Web: NYU, 2009). This studyis ongoing.

WEb: NYU, (2009), HIV Long-term Nonprogressors Study, retrived Oct. 27, 2009, from http://www.hivinfosource.org/hivis/clinicaltrials/ltnp.html

The Facts

This week I would like to blog about several things. First I want to talk about the myths associated with HIV/AIDS. Some of the misconceptions still within our society seem way out there like "if you are cool you can't get HIV". I guess we forget that although we are in college there are others who do not have hardly any education and so this type of misconception is all they can say. The scary part is that they truly believe this and are more at risk of becoming infected as well as infecting others. So dispelling these types of myths is very important (Teach, Myths, slide #2, Oct. 2009).

The "act" of transmission for HIV is something we rarely think about. Until I looked at the slides, I never even thought about how many red blood cells were on the tip of a needle or about the breaking of membranes in the anus making it easier for the virus to infect. Although many people probably don't care about this information, knowing it makes it seem more real and can make a person stop and think about things a little differently (Teach, Transmission slides #4 & 9, Oct. 2009).

When it comes to prevention, most people know about abstinence and condom use. Most people probably don't think about which type of condom offers better protection or the proper use or discarding of a condom. Although getting HIV from a used condom would probably be rare, it can still happen, but I doubt many people even think about this. Our healthcare workers are more apt to become infected since they are around bodily fluids more frequently. Using precautions on a daily basis and keeping prevention at the forefront of our minds will help to keep us from becoming infected (Teach, Prevention slides #3, 8 & 9, Oct. 2009).

I am growing in this class because I am discovering how difficult it is to change the attitude of society even with education. I find that people have to be open-minded and willing to learn about something even though they have preconceived notions. Learning about the little things that we normally don't think about regarding HIV/AIDS gives us a better sense of the virus and how we can deal with it. The treatment an HIV positive person must go through is not fun but it still gives them a chance at living.

In the AMA Morning Rounds dated Oct. 27, 2009, the New York Times is reporting that the Federal health officials are coming up with a plan to "test and treat" within the District of Columbia and Bronx area within a three year course. The plan is to test eveyone and if they are shown to be HIV positive begin to treat. This study is suppose to catch those individuals who are HIV positive but don't know it and don't think they could ever become infected. This will involve the help of ER depts, physician offices, clinics, etc. There was no mention as to when this study might begin (Web:AMA, 2009).

Web: AMA, retrieved Oct. 27, 2009 from http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4AE6F42A)))FOFC8000037AB22243322829B...

CD: Teach, Myths, Transmission, Prevention slides, Oct. 2009.

Observations

This week I would like to give you my observations on the posts that have been made regarding our Questions of the Week. Each week we are given a different scenerio that makes us think about how we or a loved one would handle being HIV positive or being around someone who is HIV positive. Would we save a life while putting ourselves at risk of contracting the HIV virus? Would we choose life over death? How would our loved ones treat us once they found out we are HIV positive? Most of the posts chose life. A life being HIV positive is better than no life at all. Most all would put themselves at risk of becoming HIV positive so as to save another human beings life. Although some choose to live only because of their small children, in the end, no one wants to take any unnecessary risks in contracting this virus. Most of the posts are showing that we are becoming educated on HIV/AIDS and are coming to terms with this deadly virus but some things are hard to change. Many still show that although they know they can't get the virus from kissing, hugging or casual contact, we still have that uneasy feeling in the pit of our stomaches when we knowingly are around someone who has the virus. The stigma associated with being HIV positive is hard to overlook. Fear can consume someone and control much of their life even with education. This virus brings about the fear of dying, the fear of years of illness, the fear of being looked at as a leopard. But many of us have no idea who is HIV positive or not. It could be the man sitting next to us at church, the lady checking us out at the grocery store or the child at the daycare where your children play. And yet with all of this fear and education we have as well as the stigma still associated with the HIV virus we continue to engage in risky behavior.

My tidbit for this week is from http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4ACB5E37000117D.... This internet article from the American Medical Association Newsletter dated October 6, 2009 says that the requirement for separate HIV test consent forms is blocking many people from getting tested. Apparently Massachusetts is one of only a few states that still require a separate consent form from patients to authorize HIV testing. With so many not knowing their HIV status, there is new legislation requesting that the separate consent form be abolished. Being HIV positive is no longer thought of as a dealth sentence and so more people who know about their status would be able to get treatment sooner and help to stop the spread of the virus.

Web: AMA (2009). Separate HIV test consent form requirement impedes life-saving diagnoses, experts say, retrieved Oct. 6, 2009, from http://webmail.att.net/wmc/en-US/v/wm/4ACB5E37000117D....

Scotland

This week my blog is on Scotland. Scotland's HIV confidentiality laws are pretty vague. The majority of laws on HIV revolve around medical records and criminal intent. The UK National Guidelines for HIV Testing 2008 basically states that you should treat HIV medical records no different than any other medical record. "Patients have a right to expect that information about them will be held in confidence by their doctors. Confidentiality is central to trust between doctors and patients. Without assurances about confidentiality, patients may be reluctant to give doctors the information they need in order to provide good care" Web: British HIV Association, 2009). "All members of the multidisciplinary team must have a contractual obligation not to reveal information about people using services without their consent" (Web: Medical Foundation, 2009). Breaching confidentiality is considered a serious offense and those involved will need to be able to justify their actions or face serious penalties. This is why it is so important for protocols to be in place so that physicians and staff can know when access is appropriate and when it is not (Web: Medical Foundation, 2009). I was not able to obtain specific laws that pertain to HIV confidentiality as well as any indication of the specific penalties involved in violating the laws.

My tidbit for this week is about how HIV infections in England and Scotland's blood donors has shown a large increase over the past 16 years. This basically "means that the chance of contaminated blood reaching patients in the UK needing transfusions has doubled" (Web:Irish Health, 2009). Once the blood is shown to be HIV positive it is destroyed and the the donor is notified of the findings. Internal documents say that the increase in the infected blood could be due to several reasons. One of the reasons could be the increase in the amount of HIV infected people. Another reason could be the recruiting of a more diverse ethnical population for donations. and while most of the latest HIV infected donors were white, The Blood Service wants to remind everyone that there is only a very small chance of HIV infection through current blood transfusions (Web: Irish Health, 2009). Although this information is not directly linked to research, research is involved in finding out why there is the increase or if the virus has mutated in any way where traditional screening may not be as accurate.

My experience getting HIV tested was quite an experience as I don't usually visit the Health Clinic. My pretesting counseling was more like an information gathering experience. Many very personal questions were asked and I tried to remind myself of the reason they were being asked to me. I did find the questions to be very personal and wanted to say that it was none of your business, but I tried to keep an open mind about the testing purpose and the data gathering opportunity for the State. My counselor was very nice and very professional. I'v had blood drawn before so it was not a bad experience. I knew what to expect. I tried to put myself in the place of a drug addict or a prostitute and wondered what they would be feeling if they were being asked the very personal questions. I think the data gathering session would be very difficult for them. Some might would leave in the middle of the visit. Waiting for the results can be stressful, but I tried to put it out of my mind so as not to worry to death about it. Once the results were told to me I felt as if a huge rock had been lifted from me.

How did I grow this week? I learned about the HIV laws or lack of laws in Scotland. I did find that there is still a very large stigma associated with HIV in Scotland with no signs of changing. I learned that other countries can view HIV/AIDS very differently from the U.S. I learned that getting tested is not that difficult. The difficult part is waiting for the results and making sure you are being a responsible sex partner all the time.

Web: British HIV Association (2009). Retrieved Oct. 13, 2009 from http://www.bhiva.org
Web: Irish Health (2009). Retrieved Oct. 13, 2009 from http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html
Web: Medical Foundation (2009). Retrieved Oct. 12, 2009 from http://medfash.org.uk