I have been reflecting on our QOTW asking us what we would do if University of Central Florida allowed a policy that if the university were to find out that a student was having unprotected sex knowingly having AIDS, the university would be allowed to disclose the students personal information. This is actually, in my opinion, laughable. Patient-doctor confidentiality is law set in place for an individuals right to keep private personal health information. UCF allowing a students health information be revealed would be completely against the law, no matter who thought it was a good idea. Although it is a patients right to disclose their health information, it is against the law for an individual that knowingly has HIV to not their partner. “Laws and policies that criminalize negligent or willful exposure seek to deter individuals whose actions lead to exposure of others to HIV and potential transmission. The legal ramifications of exposing an uninfected individual to HIV differ depending on (a) intent; and (b) whether transmission of HIV occurs, although each element can be difficult to prove legally or epidemiologically.” 1
This is a hard topic to think about it because if you think about the person that is being exposed to HIV through a individual's poor decision not to inform their partner they are HIV positive is morally wrong and completely unfair to that person. Ethically, I would want for them to know and have a policy like that in place. But then again, it is not my place to be the person that does that. It is unfortunately something that only the HIV positive person should have the decency to tell.
Then I think about the decision for the HIV positive person's partner to willingly have unprotected sex knowing the many risks that come along with it. If we are going to point fingers, both individuals should be smart enough to know that if they do not know the other well enough they should not even be messing around with having unprotected sex. Partners should be activley involved in each others sexual past and sexual health issues.
I have recently had the opportunity to be an intern for the Florida Hospital at Eden which is a cancer spa. I have been helping them put together their 1 Year Anniversary Event, and have been offered to help with further events. When I met with the Developmental manager we talked about areas I might be interested in helping with. She told me about this event coming up with weekend called the Head Dress Ball that is geared towards HIV awareness. I got really excited about possibly being involved in this opportunity so I started to research the organization they come from and what they do. So to further go into my Did You Know section, I'm going to look at how Hope and Help helps HIV/AIDS prevention. Their mission statement is, "To save lives by eliminating the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to provide support, education and care for individuals living with the disease in the Central Florida community."2 Have you ever seen the posters that have ACTS AGAINST AIDS on them? I had but never knew what organization started it. ACTS AGAINST AIDS comes from Hope and Help to get the word out about HIV/AIDS and how the disease is spreading rapidly and is still incurable. "Hope and Help Center has operated its award-winning HIV/AIDS/STI Prevention Program since 1989. The program features extensive education and outreach efforts throughout Central Florida."2 For more information visit there website: http://hopeandhelp.org
1. Gable, Lance. (2007). Legal aspects of HIV/AIDS: a guide for policy and law reform. Washington: The World Bank. Retrieved September 28, 2009. http://books.google.com/books?id=J3pWlNggbV4C&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=law+for+withholding+being+HIV+positive+to+partner&source=bl&ots=CEXFID87sM&sig=UL-3yEvfeXfQyoZ3Ch9ImCX3Tyc&hl=en&ei=0ArCStamMdTS8Qay573-CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2#v=onepage&q=&f=false
2. Hope and Help. (2009). Retrieved September 28, 2009. http://hopeandhelp.org/about-us.asp
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Did you Know?
My Did you Know section on HIV prevention will be focused on the transmission from mother to child. The successful decline has shown that an, “estimated rate of infections among babies peaked at 1,650 in 1991 and fell to around 144-236 in 2002. This decline was caused by the use of antiretroviral drugs and avoidance of breastfeeding” (Avert, 2009). What I found interesting is a main factor in the decrease was just a simple screening of pregnant woman of HIV. Most prevention methods that I have researched have been as basic as just being aware and getting tested. Yes, you have to take precautions of safe sex and risky behavior, but what happens when you do not. You need to be getting tested to make sure you are not HIV positive and/or spreading the virus. It is recommended that someone should get tested in 6 months if they think they could be at risk (Douglass, Slide 37).
Avert: AVERTing HIV and AIDS. (2009). Other Prevention Programmes. Retrieved September 22, 2009 from AVERT Website : http://www.avert.org/global-hiv-prevention.htm
Douglass, L. (2009). Module 2: Immune System [Power Point]. Orlando, Florida: University of Central Florida: Health Science.
Avert: AVERTing HIV and AIDS. (2009). Other Prevention Programmes. Retrieved September 22, 2009 from AVERT Website : http://www.avert.org/global-hiv-prevention.htm
Douglass, L. (2009). Module 2: Immune System [Power Point]. Orlando, Florida: University of Central Florida: Health Science.
Blog #3
Our Immune System is a crazy thing. Learning of the battles it goes through to fight off HIV is crazy. When my friend found out about being HIV positive, she came to me for information of what was really happening to her body because she felt confused after talking to her doctor. She knew that the virus was taking over her body but she didn't know what exactly was happening to her. The last module was very informative in me trying to explain and break down what was going on. I have to say how crazy this is that I am learning the things that I am learning because I would have absolutely NO IDEA what was really happening to her otherwise. Our relationship has not only got insanely closer but she has told me she feels like I'm the only one that she can really talk to her about it. The select few that she has told that she has HIV too have been very supportive, but she tells me there is a look in their eyes that she feels as if they are judging her. Maybe it's just the fact that I know more factual things about HIV where she finds comfort in talking to me, but I am grateful to have learned.
I started by telling her what the human leukocyte antigen was, and how it was so important to her body. I told her it is what marks human cells as self, or belonging to that host. Because this labels all the organs, cells, etc as belonging to that entity the immune system would not target to destroy. I informed her since, that in her case HIV stole that marker to become unseen and can now go through her blood stream with no problem (Douglass, Slide 5). She was a little unsure of what that meant, but knew it sounded dangerous.
Another important cell I told her about what the Macrophage. This cell will find the invading organism and pass the information onto the immune system manager, that’s why it’s considered the first line of defense (Douglass, Slide 23). Since I also learned that cervical cancer was added to the case definition in 1993 for woman (Douglass, Slide 41), that she should also ask her doctor about that.
For me, this module assignment helped me go through different aspects of HIV/AIDS with her that she never knew about. To be completely honest I let her look through my Module and we discussed and looked further in different questions together.
Douglass, L. (2009). Module 2: Immune System [Power Point]. Orlando, Florida: University of Central Florida: Health Science.
I started by telling her what the human leukocyte antigen was, and how it was so important to her body. I told her it is what marks human cells as self, or belonging to that host. Because this labels all the organs, cells, etc as belonging to that entity the immune system would not target to destroy. I informed her since, that in her case HIV stole that marker to become unseen and can now go through her blood stream with no problem (Douglass, Slide 5). She was a little unsure of what that meant, but knew it sounded dangerous.
Another important cell I told her about what the Macrophage. This cell will find the invading organism and pass the information onto the immune system manager, that’s why it’s considered the first line of defense (Douglass, Slide 23). Since I also learned that cervical cancer was added to the case definition in 1993 for woman (Douglass, Slide 41), that she should also ask her doctor about that.
For me, this module assignment helped me go through different aspects of HIV/AIDS with her that she never knew about. To be completely honest I let her look through my Module and we discussed and looked further in different questions together.
Douglass, L. (2009). Module 2: Immune System [Power Point]. Orlando, Florida: University of Central Florida: Health Science.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Blog #2
For my "Did you know" section of my blog I am going to focus on a topic that might seem surprising considering my first Blog. If you did not have a chance to read my first blog a friend of mine I've know for years was recently tested positive for HIV, which seems unreal and ironic for my placement in this HIV class. I've chosen to focus on prevention, because I believe that contracting this disease can, most of the time, be prevented. I will at the end of the class move into cure because for the unfortunate ones that do contract the HIV/AIDS disease, I hope to see a cure for them, such as my friend. Teach told me to explore the Advert.org website to become more aware of what is happening in the current world of HIV so I did. I was shocked to see all the information and support out there for HIV. According to advert.org "HIV can be transmitted in the sexual fluids, blood or breast milk of an infected person. HIV prevention therefore involves a wide range of activities including prevention of mother-to-child transmission, needle exchanges and harm reduction for injecting drug users, and precautions for health care workers" (Advert). The ABC's don't necessarily have a clear definition besides the general: A-bstain,B-e-faithful, C-ondomise. After reading about the difficulty with defining the ABC's it mainly comes from US-funded PEPFAR initiative and by UNAIDS. PEPFAR's definition is, "A bstinence for youth, including the delay of sexual debut and abstinence until marriage, B eing tested for HIV and being faithful in marriage and monogamous relationships, C orrect and consistent use of condoms for those who practice high-risk behaviours (Advert.org, 2009)." Whereas, UNAIDS is defined as, "A-bstinence or delaying first sex, B-eing safer by being faithful to one partner or by reducing the number of sexual partners, C-orrect and consistent use of condoms for sexually active young people, couples in which one partner is HIV-positive, sex workers and their clients, and anyone engaging in sexual activity with partners who may have been at risk of HIV exposure (Adverg.org, 2009)." One thing they have in common is to BE CAUTIOUS. You need to know the risk of HIV and avoid risky sexual behavior. This can include saving your self for marriage, being monogamous, and using protection.
When reading on how to prevent contracting AIDS, I somehow got angry. I can't explain the feeling, but I found myself getting defensive for my friend. Is it HER fault that she has AIDS then, since there are so many ways to avoid it? I will not accept that. I do not think that is what Advert.org was trying to inform, but that's the way I took it. I think it is just my vulnerable state right now, but this was not her fault. It is a complete unfortunate situation. I do not want to make this blog my venting spot of how unfair I think it is that my friend tested positive, but you'll have to bare with my through my initial shock.
A New York State Organization called NYCAHN (The New York City AIDS Housing Network) "is working with a coalition of organizations to monitor and advocate around a New York State Department of Health proposal that would require all people living with HIV/AIDS receiving Medicaid to enroll in a managed care plan (either a SNP or mainstream HMO" (NYCHAN.org, 2008)." The amazing thing about NYCAHN is that it is led by HIV/AIDS individuals that live in a low-income household working with nonprofit housing providers and AIDS service organizations. The main goal is provide better housing situations for all low income people living with HIV/AIDS. HIV in low- income families is not a topic that we have covered yet in our HIV course, but I believe is a very important one. Something interesting that NYCAHN seeks to do is to prove that everyone is equal, regardless if you have HIV or not. EVERYONE is equal, and I am very excited what NYCAHN is trying to do.
The ABC of HIV prevention. (2009). Retrieved September 10, 2009, from the official Advert.org Website: thehttp://www.avert.org/abc-hiv.htm
New York City AIDS Housing Network. (2008).MANDATORY MANAGED CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS ON MEDICAID? Retrieved September 11, 2009, from the official Website: http://www.nycahn.org/
When reading on how to prevent contracting AIDS, I somehow got angry. I can't explain the feeling, but I found myself getting defensive for my friend. Is it HER fault that she has AIDS then, since there are so many ways to avoid it? I will not accept that. I do not think that is what Advert.org was trying to inform, but that's the way I took it. I think it is just my vulnerable state right now, but this was not her fault. It is a complete unfortunate situation. I do not want to make this blog my venting spot of how unfair I think it is that my friend tested positive, but you'll have to bare with my through my initial shock.
A New York State Organization called NYCAHN (The New York City AIDS Housing Network) "is working with a coalition of organizations to monitor and advocate around a New York State Department of Health proposal that would require all people living with HIV/AIDS receiving Medicaid to enroll in a managed care plan (either a SNP or mainstream HMO" (NYCHAN.org, 2008)." The amazing thing about NYCAHN is that it is led by HIV/AIDS individuals that live in a low-income household working with nonprofit housing providers and AIDS service organizations. The main goal is provide better housing situations for all low income people living with HIV/AIDS. HIV in low- income families is not a topic that we have covered yet in our HIV course, but I believe is a very important one. Something interesting that NYCAHN seeks to do is to prove that everyone is equal, regardless if you have HIV or not. EVERYONE is equal, and I am very excited what NYCAHN is trying to do.
The ABC of HIV prevention. (2009). Retrieved September 10, 2009, from the official Advert.org Website: thehttp://www.avert.org/abc-hiv.htm
New York City AIDS Housing Network. (2008).MANDATORY MANAGED CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS ON MEDICAID? Retrieved September 11, 2009, from the official Website: http://www.nycahn.org/
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Blog #1
Do you believe in the statement “everything happens for a reason?” Well I do. The circumstances for me getting into this HIV class were pretty upsetting to me. I am graduating in December and was told after semester started that I needed 6 more credit hours of electives to graduate. Since the add/drop deadline had passed, the only class I could get into was this HIV class. My first thoughts, to be completely honest, were not good. The topic of HIV is something tip-toed around constantly. It is nothing anyone wants to face or be educated on until it is something that affects their every day living.
Well to my disbelief, someone close to me just confronted me and confided in me that they were tested positive for HIV. Since this is a blog, I can say ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!?!?! My friend, a girl I’ve known since middle school, a girl that I spent hours upon hours playing tennis with, a person I thought would be my best friend till I was old has HIV. The thoughts that came to my mind at first was, “Am I going to loose my best friend, should I distance myself from her?” I felt completely selfish thinking this, but then again I guess you never know how you’ll really act or think in a situation like this until it’s put right in front of you. I can not believe it.
How must SHE be feeling? What thoughts are going through her mind every minute? Should I have more comforting things to say to her? Ugh, I don’t know. I feel like nothing I say will ever be good enough to help her through what she’s going through, even though it should because I’ve been her best friend for years. This virus that I have been studying daily now is taking over my friend’s body right now, every second. I’ve learned of how her body is trying to fight it off, but because of how powerful the HIV virus is, it can not. Why can’t there be a cure for her right now.
I hate seeing her suffer. This disease is real and dwelling among ones we love whether we know it or not. For me just starting this class I feel like I have learned more about the HORRIBLE disease then I want to know. But I believe the statement, “everything happens for a reason,” and I think God has put me in her life that I might be able to help her cope with her new found disease. God help her and me.
Well to my disbelief, someone close to me just confronted me and confided in me that they were tested positive for HIV. Since this is a blog, I can say ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!?!?! My friend, a girl I’ve known since middle school, a girl that I spent hours upon hours playing tennis with, a person I thought would be my best friend till I was old has HIV. The thoughts that came to my mind at first was, “Am I going to loose my best friend, should I distance myself from her?” I felt completely selfish thinking this, but then again I guess you never know how you’ll really act or think in a situation like this until it’s put right in front of you. I can not believe it.
How must SHE be feeling? What thoughts are going through her mind every minute? Should I have more comforting things to say to her? Ugh, I don’t know. I feel like nothing I say will ever be good enough to help her through what she’s going through, even though it should because I’ve been her best friend for years. This virus that I have been studying daily now is taking over my friend’s body right now, every second. I’ve learned of how her body is trying to fight it off, but because of how powerful the HIV virus is, it can not. Why can’t there be a cure for her right now.
I hate seeing her suffer. This disease is real and dwelling among ones we love whether we know it or not. For me just starting this class I feel like I have learned more about the HORRIBLE disease then I want to know. But I believe the statement, “everything happens for a reason,” and I think God has put me in her life that I might be able to help her cope with her new found disease. God help her and me.
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