AIDS: VH1 said:

[babolaypo65]

Not the best news source, but it was actually a PSA. On VH-1 this morning while I was at the gym they had a PSA that said that AIDS was now the NUMBER ONE killer of African Americans between the ages of 25-44.

If that statistic is true, and sadly I don't doubt it, then it's further evidence that we're still doing a mighty poor job of handling this epidemic. :( :( :mad:

[mugsy]

Look at the AIDS epidemic in Africa. It makes the problem here almost insignificant. Do they give any reason why it's higher in African Americans than in other ethnic groups?

[babolaypo65]

Indeed Mugs. My dearest friend did 4 years in the Peace Corp in Central Africa as and AIDS educator.

The PSA didn't say what the contributing factors were for African Americans. I suppose one could extrapolate and suggest poverty and access to education and services....

It's ridiculous that its been 20 years since this entered mainstream consciousness and we're in no better position.

[mugsy]

Now...here's a question. Are we no better off because there isn't sufficient education or are we no better off because people are stupid and don't use the proper precautions or just abstain all together?

At least in Africa it's a cultural thing that is going to take forever to break the chain, here there doesn't seem to be an excuse.

[2kitties]

Originally posted by mugsy
Now...here's a question. Are we no better off because there isn't sufficient education or are we no better off because people are stupid and don't use the proper precautions or just abstain all together?

At least in Africa it's a cultural thing that is going to take forever to break the chain, here there doesn't seem to be an excuse.

Signs point to stupid...

[RICHARD]

It will never happen to me.

(They) didn't look sick.

Only Gays get AIDS.

I'm not black, Haitian, a IV drug user or Gay.

Pick one.:(

[KYS]

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems so sad, most cases could have been prevented by a simple cheap method: A condom! : (

[IttyBittyKitty]

That is a rather suprising trend ... do African Americans fall in the lower socio-economic groups who are normally afflicted by things like this? I thought that many of them were quite affluent in this enlightened "day and age."

Then again, neither common sense nor stupidity know colour ;)

[emily_the_spoiled]

African Americans are not the only minority that has greatly increased rates of HIV transmission. Many American Indian tribes are also suffering at a rate higher than African Americans.

There are many reasons for the rates, some of which are cultural norms (i.e. a strong taboo against openly discussing birth control). Some of these are also societial. At a population level there is a greater percentage of African Americans in jail or addicted to drugs, than the general population. Both of these are places and methods that provide for very effective transmission of HIV.

[Vio&Juni]

In Moldova the highest rate of infection group of risk are drug addicts - use of needles.

I've seen a documentary on a Romanian tv channel - people had no idea that you can actually get it having a manicure or pedicure done, they had no idea that you can get it from the dentist or other medical instruments. It's not only about sex and about condoms, condoms can break too.

[smokey the elder]

There are a lot of barriers to controlling AIDS. As with any STD, there are those taboos. It's also blood borne. It mutates. It's slow to manifest itself once one is infected.

There has been a lot accomplished, but there is a lot more to do. In South AFrica it's only been recently that the government accepted that the HIV virus causes AIDS.

[mahayana]

This is a subject I don't know a lot about. I heard part of a NPR discussion where the expert said the epidemic was spiraling out of control. But the only numbers I caught were 3000 deaths, 5000 new cases last year, and I don't know if that was worldwide or just the US.

Does anyone have the UN statistics?

HIV is a virus, in the same class as ebola, which attacks and replicates in white blood cells.

AIDS is a syndrome, where people die of secondary infection (usually pneumonia) because their bodies can't fight infections.

There are millions of people whose HIV infections are being controlled by treatment, millions more who need treatment. None of these have AIDS, but all could develop it.

I haven't heard anything about different strains of HIV (mutations). Also haven't heard of any vaccine that eliminates it.

Incidently, if you don't know whether you have HIV, participate in a blood drive or visit you local blood bank any time. They will take your donation, and since they test all blood now you will receive a copy of the results for free.

[babolaypo65]

Last night CNN reported that there are no 15 MILLION AIDS orphans in Africa and that there will be millions more becuase there are more people living with AIDS in Africa than have died. My God. It's obscene how little progress we have made on this disease.

One of my side jobs for years was AIDS education in schools. It frightened me how little most students really understood about HIV infection. (Most adults too).

Any dept of health public health office will test you for free, anonymously. If you are afraid to be tested in public WAlgreens and other pharmacies sell an at home saliva test that is very accurate. You take the test. Send in the swab and then call a number in 10 days. It's very private.

I disagree about using the bloodbank for an HIV test. The National Blood Service specifically requests that you not use blood donation as a means of getting tested.
https://secure.blood.co.uk/c11_cant.asp

[smokey the elder]

HIV does mutate. My company makes one of the AIDS medicines, and has another ready for a new drug application. The older drugs (AZT, etc.) no longer work for many people, because the virus mutates to become resistant. This also makes it wicked difficult to make a vaccine.

HIV hides in immune system cells; that's why it's hard to completely eradicate. The next generation meds target these so called B-cells, breaks them open and kills the bug. (No, I don't understand how the molecule knows that a particular B cell is infected.)

[mahayana]

That is weird about the National Blood Service. Guess they don't want people who think they might be infected to visit them. I was just suggesting for people to go donate a pint (which I encourage everyone to do anyway, have for years).

One of the things you get besides knowing you are helping people who need blood, and a cookie, is this information.

They really do test every donation, for HIV and other things like hepatitis. And they will contact you if there is a problem.

I read the link. You have to fill out similar forms before you give blood.

So I agree. If you think you are at risk of having HIV, don't go to the blood bank. Buy a test or go to Public Health.

[babolaypo65]

My sense with the NBS is that if folks who were engaging in so-called high risk behaviour used them as a testing center, they would have a lot of blood they couldn't use, and in theory, since some tainted blood accidentally makes it's way into the blood supply, more tainted blood in the IBS might raise that risk.

That said, in my opinion their criteria for donating is outdated, and is in need of being updated.

cheers! Happy leftover day.

[Uabassoon]

There are several health centers around that offer free HIV screenings, the tests don't even use needles for those of you who are afraid. They put a cotton swab in your mouth, and then test the swab for the antibodies that are found in the saliva of those that have the virus. It's simple, painless, quick and free.. so for anyone who is sexually active I highly reccomend you get tested, you have nothing to lose.

And as for the bloodbanks it REALLY upsets me that gay men can't give blood. It's adding to that sterotype that only or all gay men have HIV.

[babolaypo65]

I agree Uabassoon, it is irksome that gays can't give blood. It was the reason for my comment that the NBS criteria were outdated.
And like you, I'd encourage anyone who is sexually active, even if you're in a monogamous relationship, or have only ever engaged in oral sex to consider getting tested. The swab doesn't hurt a bit.

[2kitties]

I had no idea gays couldn't give blood. What a crock!

[amoore]

I really am curious about this new report from the UN about Aids, released this week, that these news stories are coming from.

Has anybody got a link to the report, or an abstract, or the NYTimes?

[mahayana]

CNN says 950,000 Americans have HIV or AIDS, up to 40 million worldwide. They compared it to the Black Plague.

39% of all adults in sub-sahara Africa.

[RICHARD]

in a news report Kofi Annan, UN head, was quoted as saying that Africa had a 'Weapon of Mass Destruction' problem.....AIDS.

as was stated before.....

the real problem is the governments...the controlling factions/parties/rulers find it easier to keep the people poor and stupid than keeping them safe.

Religion plays a part in the problem also....
By forcing people to go underground with their sexual 'preferences' it makes taking the proper precautions
harder - people, especially ones in the socio-ecomonic position common folk are subjected to in parts of Africa, do not have means to take those precautions...

A few years ago some bars in the West Hollywood area placed
bowls filled with condoms on the bartops...People railed against the practice, saying that the readily available condoms promoted
gay sex...

For me??

I would rather see truck loads of condoms parked on the street
than see my tax dollars go to care for people who were inconsiderate to themselves and their partners....

No comment on how or what you do....Just a little peeved to see people put themselves above being careful...

The 64,000 dollar question..

How can we (as people) make a difference when there are so
many people who do not recognize the problem?

Anyone who has seen the illness in action would immediately
see the need to address this problem, not only locally, but in the 'world sense'.

[babolaypo65]

Originally posted by RICHARD


How can we (as people) make a difference when there are so
many people who do not recognize the problem?

Anyone who has seen the illness in action would immediately
see the need to address this problem, not only locally, but in the 'world sense'.

Sigh. I think you hit the nail on the head. And, sadly, even when faced with the illness in action, some would still deny it, or deny how it came to be in their family/community.