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.
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I can understand your concern for your friend. My brother is HIV positive. It is true they do feel as someone is judging them. I am glad that you are able to inform her and help her through her journey. I have also learned a lot. This Immune System Module was great. It really makes learning HIV critical.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you ask her to come to the women's panel. Bring along two friends so that no one will know which one of your friends is positive. She can hear from these women what it is like to live with HIV. She may find something positive in their attitudes that will help her with her struggle. If you need any questions answered, you know my email and phone number.
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