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.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 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....
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....
Monday, November 9, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
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
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
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