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.
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I wonder what the response to this new test and treating plan will be? I wonder if people would be willing to take the test voluntarily?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure as the article was on the vague side, but I do think there will be a mixed reaction to this "test and treat" study.
ReplyDeleteI saw the Oprah Show within the las couple of weeks about the middle-aged women that were all infected by the same HIV+ man, who is now in prison for knowingly infecting them. Although I felt badly for them, the all said that they hadn’t been worried because they “didn’t fit the profile.” I so much wanted to be in the audience to proclaim, “If you are sexually active at all, you ‘fit the profile.’” Too many think HIV isn’t their problem.
ReplyDeleteI believe that we need as a society, to pull our heads out of our puritanical asses, and begin aggressive and comprehensive sex education in the school system, and for adults as well. It isn’t enough to parrot, “Use a condom.” The proper use and care of condoms must be taught. Almost nobody (particularly men) read directions, and conservatives like to point to condom failure, without mentioning how effective condoms are if properly used and cared for.
There has been a cultural shift in this country since the advent of the protease inhibitors, and other HIV “miracle drugs.” Back in the 80s, I remember seeing educational programs on broadcast TV about HIV/AIDS, including one where Cheech Marin demonstrated (on a banana) the correct use of a condom! That was back when HIV/AIDS was still a “death sentence” and even with Reagan in office, society saw HIV as something that could potentially affect “real people.”
In many ways, the biggest difference between HIV/AIDS and syphilis, is penicillin. You contracted syphilis in the same ways as HIV/AIDS, and it would kill you eventually. Syphilis however, did not cary the stigma of being a “gay” or “I.V. drug-users” disease, and we as a society lost many great people to that disease too.
You bring up a very good point about people not knowing the types of condom that has the best protection. When I went to take my HIV test the counselor told me to always use latex condoms, because they provide the best protection. Many people just figure whatever a condom is a condom! The plan to "test and treat" would definitely be a starting point in decreasing the number of HIV cases. If people become aware of their status and begin treatment (including counseling)I am sure that they will not intentionally spread the disease.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed Modules 5, 6 and 7. They provided some very valuable information.