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.