Almost time to say goodbye...

I have to say that beyond most of my classes I have had in my educational experience, this is by far one of the most memorable. I think that can be chalked up to the simulations for one, and the men's panel was the second. My biggest regret now at the end of the course is not having the opportunity to get to the women's panel....I would imagine that it was a much different tone but none the less, I am sure it was fantastic. One thing I do fear happening when I get caught back up in another semester and life gets back to normal, is that all this information will slowly start to fade and the passion will leave. I guess that is how it is for any class, but I would really like to hope that this course has motivated someone enough to make a career out of battling HIV. Maybe if Teach gets a chance to read this, has anyone else ever gone into this field and made a name for themselves? Is there anything I could have done without? Probably not because all of the assignments that we were to do ended up being huge parts of the course and without all of the work and constant reminder there really would have been no way to get a great experience in this class. Does more work always equal a better experience? Certainly not...but it seems that this course walked a fine line between being obnoxious with the amount of work and the perfect amount to make the experience memorable....obviously with the memorable experience coming out for the whole semester. I was wondering, how was blogging for everyone else? Looking back on all your posts over the semester, do you wish you maybe had a chance to partake in the chat or the pen pals? I think after knowing that some of the panelists were the pen pals, I might have enjoyed that interaction between an infected person. I only have myself to blame for that, but in the end I am not completely disappointed. On to next week, and now for a little more medication information:

DID YOU KNOW?

It seems that most of the medications

First time I have set foot on campus in a while

This was for the men's panel. I figured I would wait until I got back because I knew that it would give some good material to write on. First off, I want to say that it is a great privilege to have the opportunity to get such an open and honest point of view from some very real individuals. I was one of the people that didn't ask any questions, but I probably should have. There were a few that popped in there but my nerves got the best of me and I just wasn't able to make the leap. I think one thing that I found very interesting was the stress that they all put on education. I think by now we know that it is a necessity to have this moving forward in the future in order to really break down the spread of the disease, but all of the panelists seemed extremely compassionate when it came to making sure that education begins earlier and done the right way.

I think this class has definitely calmed my nerves in regards to dealing with patients that have HIV. There was someone that i had the other day who was HIV positive, but he was also a diabetic. Because of this I had to draw blood out of him a few times a day. Its interesting to know what is in that small drop of blood, and just how it can totally change a person's life. Getting back to the men's panel, watching the guys up there and seeing just how some of them seemed to be in great health was encouraging when it comes to the medication that is available to them. I have noticed this with a few other people that I have taken care of and its great that in the past 30 years we have come a long way in terms of how live can be sustained. One thing that I really was hoping would have been different was their outlook on if HIV will ever have a "cure". We are only 30 years into this, and I think it that given enough time the world will eventually find a way to put an end to this virus.

DID YOU KNOW?

This next bit of information came as a little bit of a downer because I know how much I love garlic on just about any dish I eat. It turns out that with certain types of medications that are taken with garlic supplements or higher levels ingested it actually hurts the medication's potency and overall amount in the body.

This can be found @ http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/dec2001/niaid-05.htm

Big Brother

So, this week we have had quite an interesting QOTW. In regards to the chip I couldn't help feel like that would be the beginning of the end of all of our personal and private lives. You hear the urban legends that they implant chips into you anyway when you go in for a surgery, but this way with a tracking system that keeps records of your movements, we would be taking a gigantic step into a very frightening future. I would think that this practice would lead to a very slippery slope and we would end up with our entire lives being broadcast for the government to watch whenever they want. Don't get me wrong, I am not a person that does wrong and needs to keep my privacy but it is just creepy to think that they would have the opportunity to keep tabs on you whenever they wanted to. I also couldn't think of anything crueler than putting people into a camp just because they have HIV. Has anyone watch the movie District 9? It would remind me of a setting such as that where the whole camp would eventually turn into a slum....especially in a country where it might not be as developed as ours. It certainly wouldn't stand out as a five star resort....and who would pay for it? I have to say, now that the M&M simulation is over I am glad that they have finally developed medicine that people only have to take one pill for their HIV medication a day. Sure, there are still a few that they might have to take, but the "one pill" eliminates most if not all of the struggles that positive people would have trying to make sure that they get their medication regimen down.

DID YOU KNOW?

There are many different information outlets for the side effects of medication for HIV available on the web. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services has published quite an extensive breakdown of just what can happen to you when you take this medication to fight off HIV. The DHHS lists some of these side effects as "extreme liver damage, multiple bone problems, and skin rashes which can actually become life threatening". For a deeper look into these dangerous drugs check out http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/SideEffectAnithivMeds_cbrochure_en.pdf

What if I was diabetic?

Yes, the title is a tribute to the M&M simulation that we are going through this week. The candy and the phrases "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand" and also the line from Tommy Boy "Your brain has a thick candy shell.." suddenly have a new meaning to be attached to them for what could be the rest of my life when I eat an M&M. This is NOT an easy simulation on the days that I work!! Working at a hospital for 12 hours and constantly taking care of patients' needs can make anything else that has to get done extremely difficult. The days that I have off it seems to be no problem, and with time at work I have been keeping to my schedule. I also meant the title line to have a little bit of irony because it doesn't say "What if I was HIV positive?". Recently at work I have just missed a few people who have visited the hospital and were involved in community based AIDS programs. The first one was a minister who lived in the Baltimore area and ran a house for people to live at, with the catch being they were all HIV positive. The second was a woman who worked at a home for small children with AIDS who have been abandoned. Both times I was taking care of other patients, and by the time I had heard about their involvement in the community it was already too late and they had left. All of this is leading up to the men's panel, which I am waiting with a great anticipation. Now please enjoy a wall of M&Ms on the way down to the "Did You Know? section....

DID YOU KNOW?

So in the light of our M&M simulation this week, I decided to look up the first HIV medication that was the one pill once a day to treat the drug. The article was first posted in 2006 in response to the FDA approval for the very first type of this drug. The drug is actually a combination of three different types of HIV medications and is known as Atripla (Zwillich, 2006). I think that as we are going through this simulation this week, we all should be able to appreciate just what this actually meant for people who had to go through the regiment every single day to take care of their bodies in the only way that was available to them. The three different drugs that are incorporated into this pill are the Sustiva and another already dual pill called Truvada, all three of these drugs are important in the bodies fight against HIV (Zwillich, 2006).

More information about this pill can be found either in the source referenced, or in this article from the NY Times posted at: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/09/health/09aids.html?_r=1

Source:

Zwillich, T. (2006). First One-Pill-a-Day Drug for AIDS. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/news/20060712/first-one-pill-a-day-drug-aids

A Fine Line

Thinking about the QOTW for this run, it becomes incredibly difficult to make these decisions...because who is to say what is the proper thing to do? I start to see each question with two very different sides that can be viewed as correct depending on which side that you are on. Perhaps this is why HIV continues to be a controversial issue regardless of how much education that someone has on the subject. This week begins the third simulation, and I have to say that I am looking forward to the experience once again. The first two that we had to do were a great touch to this class, I just wish that there were more than three during the whole semester. I still find it a little "funny" when I tell people that I am taking an HIV studies course and you can immediately tell their discomfort. Sometimes it is even as visible as someone shifting in their seat as they even think about the subject. After my last blog I had the chance to read a few of my classmates' submissions and there were a few that watched an episode of Oprah that had HIV as a topic of conversation. If you have not had the opportunity to hear about some of the discussion, I think it would be in your interest to look up a little of the show if you could. It is a shame that this is sensationalized, but it does expose some very common misconceptions about HIV.

DID YOU KNOW?

I have been discussion the wonderful drugs that can be used to help treat HIV, but one has to remember that these medications do not come without side effects. It appears that side effects can actually affect women more because their systems hold in larger quantities of the medication while only achieving the same benefits as men (Side Effects, 2003). One of the first side effects that someone might experience while taking HIV medication is something called Lipodystrophy. This condition presents itself when the body itself becomes misshapen and this can happen by either fat loss or gain in many different regions of the body (Side Effects, 2003). This becomes incredibly dangerous for those who are susceptible to heart conditions or strokes (Side Effects, 2003). The side effects from HIV medications also present themselves on the exterior of our bodies on the skin as rashes, but this type of side effect can be medically managed by controlling the specific types of doses that one takes and by speaking with one's doctor the right treatment plan can be set forth (Side Effects, 2003). Other conditions that are focused a little more on women are menstrual irregularities and bone problems. There are certain types of medication that will cause Anemia in both men and women, but women need to be especially careful when there is a greater blood loss during the time of menstruation and this could lead to an accelerated Anemia (Side Effects, 2003). Osteoporosis is already a condition in which some women need to watch out for, but being HIV positive will put these women at an even higher risk (Side Effects, 2003). Fortunately this can be combated with regular treatment plans such as "bone density scans, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, exercising, curbing smoking habits, and reduction in alcohol and caffeine intake"(Side Effects, 2003). One last item to be discussed is the effect of HIV medications on child birth. According to The Well Project, studies have shown that the medications for HIV does not cause birth defects thankfully, but there are specific risks that must be watched out for on both the mother and the babies perspectives (Side Effects, 2003). The outlook becomes better and better as time goes on for people who are HIV positive, and with a doctor who will work with you to find out your specific medicine regimen that you can take to stay healthy, longevity and a fuller life becomes more and more possible.

Works Cited:

Side Effects. (2003). Retrieved fromhttp://www.thewellproject.org/en_US/Treatment_and_Trials/Things_to_Consider/Side_Effects.jsp

Just to follow suit

During this last week I really am wishing I had the opportunity to attend the women's panel discussion. What was everyone's thoughts of the evening who went...if anyone reading this did go? Outside of that, the last few QOTW have been quite interesting. The show that sparked Teach's question this week got me thinking about other mainstream programming and how so many of these shows could actually be used for a pretty nice source of propoganda or education for many different health care related causes. It is a shame that you do not see these very popular programs taking advantage of their share of the public spotlight to help dismiss some of the negative stigmas that are attached to diseases like HIV/AIDS. Perhaps I just don't watch enough of them, but I have never heard of any primetime programs addressing the virus in the manner that some of the movies we watched did....not that everyone could handle the extent to which we were exposed, but it would be nice for people to actually catch a glimpse of it.

I guess it is just part of the culture that we live in. I remember when I was searching for the videos that we neeed to watch online, I found a channel that was broadcasting the "Common Threads" movie. I quickly realized that the channel was all centered around the gay lifestyle and their programming reflected many different facets of it such as the reality of HIV in their population and what the community was doing about it. Because HIV affects all people regardless of their background, it would be nice to see if the mainstream culture could take a lesson and begin to become pro-active with dealing with such major issues as HIV. Also as a side issue, I wonder if we will hear anything in the news about South Africa and their AIDS situation as the next World Cup moves closer to the time. I think if we did it would be out of the regular ignorance that we see in our society still today. That's about all for now, hope you found this just a little bit interesting.....

DID YOU KNOW?



In light of our QOTW I have found some information regarding current HIV medications and renal transplants. With the discovery of the highly active antiretroviral therapy that was made to be available to people in 1996, there have been many more opportunities for people who are infected with HIV to actually have surgeries that can benefit them, when in the past it would be viewed as a waste (Tebas, 2009). I wanted to make sure that the whole article was brought through to here in case people couldn't access this information. It specifically talks about renal transplants in these paragraphs:



"A number of studies have demonstrated excellent outcomes in HIV-infected patients who undergo renal transplant. In one of the latest prospective studies performed in the HAART era, patient and allograft outcomes were reported among 18 kidney transplant recipients at a median follow-up of 3.4 years. Patient and allograft survival was 94 and 83 percent; these results are similar to that observed in the general kidney transplant population. One of the findings in the most current studies of renal transplantation in HIV-infected individuals has been the high frequency of rejection that frequently required the use of thymoglobulin. These individuals have had a remarkable and prolonged decrease in CD4 cell counts, which fortunately has not yet been associated with opportunistic infections." (Tebas, 2009)



"Preliminary results from multiple retrospective and some prospective studies show that clinical outcomes do not significantly differ between HIV-infected transplant recipients and HIV-seronegative patients enlisted in the UNOS database in the short term; the one-year survival rates appear comparable between the two groups." (Tebas, 2009)



This article also goes on to speak about other transplants such as heart and liver with some what similar results to the renal transplantation. Even though these surgeries are happening it is not without its problems. Medications that these individuals have to be on after their transplant so their body does reject the organ can have a strong reaction to the antiretrovirals for HIV and because of this it is very important to make sure that the medicine regimen is being monitored as closely as possible (Tebas, 2009).







Works Cited:



Tebas, P. (2009). Solid Organ Transplantation in HIV-infected Individuals. Retrieved from http://www.utdol.com/online/content/topic.do?topicKey=renltran/20766

A quiet week

I took the opportunity this week to return to the interview that we had to do with three different people a few weeks ago. One of my younger brothers has been vocalizing a worry about HIV since I talked with him. I think it is because he is a little more promiscuous than most people, and I try to curb that behavior with different facts that I have been learning. The slides from our statistic module has helped out, but I think overall the interaction with someone that he trusts is helping out. I can see that it scares him to death just thinking about the possibility of him acquiring HIV, but I have to make sure that he knows it is a very real possibility if he continues with reckless abandon. I've been trying to share some of the films that we watch with my family as well, but it just seems that there is no interest in them watching it. Its hard to see them turn a blind eye to the videos because of their incredible message that they carry with them. I almost feel that this would be most of our countries reaction when asked to watch these movies, and it is a shame because people need to see what can happen and what does happen when this disease enters someone's life.

DID YOU KNOW?

I have been discussion HIV medications over the last couple weeks and what I have come across is recent information about the amount of people who are actually receiving this medication. The UN has published that almost half of all individuals who are afflicted by HIV/AIDS are getting the medications that they need (Emerging, 2009). Other findings from this same study show that last year there was a total of 9 million dollars spent on AIDS relief and about ever 23 cents per dollar went towards the medications, but this is all said to increase by as much as 50 percent because people may start being treated earlier and also it is found that because of drug resistance different methods will be pursued (Emerging, 2009).

Source: Emerging Diseases. (2009). Aids Medication Coverage Increases 10-fold in 5 years. Retrieved from http://www.pediatricsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=44207

DYK pt. 2

As of 2006 in Japan, it is found that they share many of the same rights when it comes to the confidentiality of HIV and living with the disease. In Japan they view HIV and a person's privacy as basic human rights that must be respected in all fashions when it comes to situations such as employment and medical treatment (Noda, 2004). It is noted that as an actual governmental policy that the government is to work with the "Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour, and the Ministry of Justice" to try and eliminate all discrimination against people whom have HIV and to protect their rights (Noda, 2004).

Source: Noda, P. J. (2004) Japan's Response to the Spread of HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from http://www.jcie.or.jp/thinknet/pdfs/hiv.pdf

Quite an experience

Sobering, to say the least. Watching the selected movies over the last two weeks or so has been an eye opening experience. I am glad that we all had the opportunity to watch Silverlake because it gives such an incredible view into the lives of people affected by the virus. Which I am sure I have covered in writing the paper, watching Tom waste away to nothing was almost horrifying. I have taken care of patient who are very close to death, to the point where they arrive and they have totally evacuated themselves and they are bleeding from areas that you wouldn't think, but for some reason watching Tom lying there in bed struck a much different cord with me. Perhaps its the buildup that the movie portrays. I can't help but feeling different for the last few weeks. I just can't put my finger on what is different, but I know that I am thinking about HIV quite a few times during the day and the more we become exposed, the more I can't help but work myself into a frenzy....is anyone else experiencing this? Could it be because of the setting that I work in? I couldn't imagine the supreme depression one would feel when they first find out that they have acquired the virus. Learning about the conditions itself almost brings me down because of everything it represents currently and just how we still can't seem to stop it. This leads me into my DYK for the week....

DID YOU KNOW?

Different variants of the HIV virus eventually lead to resistances in known or trusted methods of controlling the virus and its progression. These variants are sometimes due to the HIV reverse transcriptase making errors when it is trying to replcate itself, and it is known that the trascriptase itself is actually prone to these errors (Demeter, 2009). When these errors occur, mutation can become prevalent which leads to the medication becoming resisted (Demeter, 2009). Some of the mutations that HIV undergoes does not copy itself as well as other typical forms but they are said to exist in very small numbers even before the drug therapy is started and this can be a danger because all it sometimes takes for HIV to become resistant to a medicine is one mutation (Demeter, 2009). When you realize the nature of the this disease it starts to become very apparent just why we have not reached an established vaccine or a "cure".

Works Cited:

Demeter, L. M. (2009). Drug resistance testing in the clinical management of HIV infection. Retrieved October 6, 2009 from http://www.utdol.com/online/content/topic.do?topicKey=hiv_trea/10360&selectedTitle=3~150&source=search_result

The waiting game (insert Jeopardy music here).....

So now begins the waiting period.....I go in for my HIV test next week and set it up with one of the centers that operates on West Colonial Drive. Having this test done 2 times in the past takes a little of the anticipation out, and I have been quite aware of my sexual partners in the past year or so...I don't think there will be any surprises. Still, I wonder what might happen. I tend to worry WAY too much about situations, and this one is no different. As I have mentioned before, I work with patient that have HIV and in my nature, as irrational as it might be, I feel that there might have been a chance that I have contracted the virus. I think it is especially nerve racking when you are in a committed relationship and you not only worry about yourself, but the other person. The statistic 9 our of 10 people do not know they have HIV is a very scary reality that we all must face. The QOTW was a pretty crappy scenario. I hate to think, but know, there are some people who know that they have the disease and purposely try to spread it because of quite a few reasons no limited to anger and fear. As bad as it sounds that the information has to be protected even if the person can and is spreading it is something that protects many other people out there and I would hope it is a small percentage that would be using HIPAA as a way to operate under anonymity.

DID YOU KNOW?

I found a great resource about different types of medication that varies a little bit from the first initial source that I posted. This shows what the medications look like and goes into three categories which gives information on what it does, recent news, and research on each of them.

This can be found below:

View HIV medications by brand name.

3TC (Lamivudine, Epivir) The Basics | News | Research Abacavir (Ziagen) The Basics | News | Research Atazanavir (Reyataz) The Basics | News | Research Atripla(Efavirenz/Tenofovir/FTC) The Basics | News | Research AZT (Zidovudine, Retrovir) The Basics | News | Research Combivir (AZT/3TC) The Basics | News | Research d4T (Stavudine, Zerit) The Basics | News | Research Darunavir (TMC114, Prezista) The Basics | News | Research ddC (Zalcitabine, Hivid) Nelfinavir (Viracept) The Basics | News | Research Nevirapine (Viramune) The Basics | News | Research Raltegravir (Isentress, MK-0518) The Basics | Research Ritonavir (Norvir) The Basics | News | Research Saquinavir (Invirase) The Basics | News | Research T-20 (Enfuvirtide, Fuzeon) The Basics | News | Research Tenofovir (Viread) The Basics | News | Research Tipranavir (Aptivus) The Basics | News | Research Trizivir (AZT/3TC/Abacavir) The Basics | Research Truvada (Tenofovir/FTC) The Basics | News | Research

ddI(Didanosine, Videx)
The Basics | News |Research

Delavirdine(Rescriptor)
The Basics | News |Research

Efavirenz(Sustiva, Stocrin)
The Basics | News |Research

Epzicom(Abacavir/3TC, Kivexa)

Etravirine(Intelence, TMC125)
The Basics | News |Research

Fosamprenavir(Lexiva, Telzir)
The Basics |Research

FTC(Emtricitabine, Emtriva)
The Basics |Research

Indinavir(Crixivan)
The Basics | News |Research

Kaletra(Lopinavir/Ritonavir)
The Basics | News |Research

Maraviroc(Selzentry, Celsentri)
The Basics | News |Research

Source: http://www.thebody.com/content/art40488.html

Three's company....

So during this week of the third blog, I had the opportunity to interview three people who are close with me and find out a little bit of information that would give me a glimpse into their view on HIV. When I was first asking my brothers questions about HIV, I had to re-prompt them in order to get an answer that is a little more appropriate. I found that it also took a little bit of coaxing to get more than just a couple word answer...I wonder if this is due to the lack of comfort talking about the subject itself? It was although a nice litmus test to see how the younger generation views HIV and just how educated we are as a society. It is comforting to see that some basic information is getting out there, but there still appears to be a fear. There was one answer that shocked me (which I quickly corrected them) when my brother was asked if he would have an HIV friend he said "Yeah, but I would keep my distance and make sure to not drink out of the same soda as them and stuff like that". I have to admit I am a little let down by that, but none the less, it gave a great opportunity to educate.

If anyone has interest in reading another book on the list that we have been given I would highly recommend What Looks Like Crazy on an ordinary day.

The book hits you in the face from the get go, and I will not go into the plot as such but it is well worth a look and quite a fast read. Even the fact that it was on Oprah's book club couldn't keep me away..... As the weeks go by here in this class, I grow more and more anxious about my HIV test. I have been tested as recently as early this year, but I think the study of the disease has almost brought upon an almost hypochondriac perspective upon my day to day life.....I think I need to relax though.

I was also absolutely fascinated with last weeks module...which I have said before, but I had to say it again. The photographs were stunning and to learn about the true nature of this disease and how it infiltrates your body just makes my distaste for the virus to grow even more. One thing that did shock me the most was the size of the virus itself....the Grand Canyon is quite a large place.

DID YOU KNOW?

Upon researching costs for HIV medication, it seems that a person can be expected to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 each month to pay for their treatment. This chart, which was taken from about.com's HIV/AIDS pages give a rough estimate on the monthly costs that each of these medications can cost, and there are combinations of these drugs that are used...so keep in mind it is not just one.

COST PER MONTH (estimates) - Medication Fact Sheets
Agenerase	$772
Aptivus	$1117.50
Combivir - Buy Here For Less	$752.64
Crixivan	$570.96
Emtriva	$347.11
Epivir 300mg	$347.11
Epzicom	$813.55
Fortovase	$263.35
Fuzeon	$2315.40
Hivid	$273.00
Invirase	$748.50
Kaletra	$796.26
Lexiva	$658.99
Norvir	$321.46
Rescriptor	$316.35
Retrovir	$405.59
Reyataz	$892.91
Sustiva 600mg	$499.43
Trizivir	$1164.35
Truvada	$867.99
Videx EC 400mg	$346.04
Viramune	$442.45
Zerit	$385.88
Ziagen	$466.44

Source: http://aids.about.com/od/hivmedicationfactsheets/a/drugcost.htm

Another website that has a pretty interesting article on how one can begin to pay for the high costs associated with the virus can be found here: http://www.everydayhealth.com/hiv-aids/can-you-afford-hiv-treatment.aspx.

Statistics

During this past week I have found myself thinking more and more about this class and what it means to be HIV+ and just how differently the world would treat you if you in fact had the virus. The threat of the disease is also thrust upon you when you consider the statistics around the world and the spread that we have become accustomed to. Learning about our own state is beneficial, but I simply can't help but think about the population sometimes when I am out and about, whether it is downtown or just out running errands. When thinking about family this week, I remember when someone that I know went through a period of 8 months where he felt that he might have put himself into a situtaion to have contracted the virus from someone. I remember how worried he was, and how incredibly stressed out he felt. Then I quickly remembered how it didn't seem to phase me, almost as if I didn't care at all. I was much younger at the time, but I guess it is just so very hard to be moved by something if it doesn't happen to you sometimes.

Did you know??

That there are six different forms of medication to fight HIV that are currently approved by the FDA. Each of these six categories have a couple drugs that carry out a specific function in the body to help combat HIV, and it seems that they have developed some very interesting drugs to help combat the reproduction of HIV in the body and there are descriptions of the basic functions attached under the names.

I was looking around at different organizations that are set up to help out the youth population that are affected by HIV/AIDS. I came across an organization that I would think is quite unique. The name of the organization is the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS.

The coalition is coordinated by individuals from many countries across the globe and their ages are from 15-30! They are active in multiple countries and take place in global events that are focused on awareness and education. They also provide services to youth such as three free online courses that are focused on how to be active in political circles and even how to properly write for grants and fundraising. They also coordinate youth in areas so they can become tied into the local political scene...it seems that they are constatnly recruiting more and more people to help in their cause and tying all of the local organizations into one larger worldwide network. Their website also says that the "GYCA shares information on scholarships, training opportunities, events, campaigns, and publications with its members on a regular basis. As a member of GYCA you will connect with others working in your community, country, and region". This organization is great because without this type of movement throughout the world, the uneducated and unmotivated youth population will have no voice and without people like this in local communities the negligence can lead to a further spread or the virus. To find out more about this organization you can go to http://www.youthaidscoalition.org/index.html. It is well worth checking out and it gives all of us a tie into the HIV movement with people that are of our own ages.

The beginning....

This last week I have began to walk through what I hope can be an experience that can deeply enrich my perspective on HIV and AIDS. I have been working in health care for about a year and a half now, and I have taken care of a handful of people whom either have HIV or those that have had the virus progress into AIDS. During my first experience I found myself to be a little withdrawn and entirely over protective. I think that when you are first confronted with someone who is unfortunate enough to have contracted the virus and you are drawing blood out of them through finger sticks for a diabetes test, it would make anyone a little nervous. Perhaps that last statement is just the opinion of someone that is not educated enough in the subject. It makes me think about how precious life is and how we will jump to ridiculous conclusions when that very life has any chance of being threatened. Upon that first confrontation, I was checking myself for any open cuts or wounds that I might have had on my arms and I kept checking and rechecking myself sometimes nearly working myself into a panic. This was even after having knowledge about the virus and how it could be contracted.

After working with many patients that have HIV over the last year, I have grown to view all patients in the same manner regardless of what they might be suffering from. I believe that it has also enriched my perspective on how I would approach someone on street. The second question of the week brought me closer into this perspective as well. After working through the assignment, I couldn't help but begin to think about my extended family and if there is anyone that I might see as having contracted the virus. The thought process didn't stop there as family quickly turned into friends and this made the possibility of someone having HIV much greater. I am very excited about the future of this class and what is in store not only for me, but for the rest of the class. People educated on this subject is something that our society needs to get rid of the negative stigma attached to the virus. The simulations that we have taken part in so far have been quite interesting, and I think having the guide of questions helped to fully dig into the experience. I still get chills from the feeling of the cotton mass grinding on my teeth as I was chewing and I can only assume that the actual condition is 100 times worse than anything we can simulate. This semester should prove to be very interesting, and it already seems like a course that anyone involved with health care should be involved with.