SOUND OFF AND MAKE A FEW $$$$

I came across a site called "MyLot", which is basically a discussion forum which has recently exploded with members; currently there are over 50,ooo worldwide. MyLot earns money from third-party advertising that is displayed on the site, directed towards target audiences. The ads are displayed based on the particular discussion that is going on. For example, if you are initiating or responding to a discussion using the keywords "aids" or "HIV", the ads that are displayed are those that would likely be of interest to you, such as ads for HIV medications, medical information, websites centered around HIV disease, and health insurance. A very small portion of the revenue generated from these ads is payed to the members, based on the number of responses and the quality and depth of the discussion. Just about anything is discussed: health issues, religion, current events, sexuality, politics, foreign relations... it's pretty much endless. This is NOT a get-rich-quick scheme; in fact, the money that you make will be only "pocket change". I was thinking that it would be great to have more people there who would get involved with some discussions to educate people worldwide about HIV/AIDS, sexuality issues, discrimination associated with HIV, and perhaps most importantly about HIV prevention. There are a lot of users from developing nations who have only a very basic knowledge of HIV; it's pretty pathetic. If this is something that appeals to you, check it out through this link.

WEIGHT LOSS INFORMATION

As everybody knows, more people with HIV and AIDS are living longer, and the days of everybody who is infected with HIV being "skinny" and "wasted" are behind us. Granted, I will not make light of lipodystrophy syndrome, nor will I minimize its devastating effects on those who suffer from it; but we are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of HIV+ people who are overweight and/or obese. This, combined with some of the metabolic and lipid problems associated with HIV disease (high blood sugar, high cholesterol and abnormal ratios of good vs. bad cholesterol) makes these people particularly vulnerable to the development of Diabetes and early, aggressive heart and blood vessel disease.

A healthy diet and exercise program are recommended for all HIV+ persons, just as it is for anyone else. For those who are looking for a little bit of "help" with their weight loss efforts and who are interested in an all-natural product to decrease their appetite, I am including links to my blog about the supplement Hoodia Gordonii, as well as to my Website. Both of these sites offer a wealth of easy-to-understand information about Hoodia.

As always, please discuss any weight loss, exercise, or natural products that you plan to take with your healthcare provider. I will note here that the supplement Hoodia has no known side effects, and there are no interactions with any medications.

ABOUT RYAN WHITE AND THE RYAN WHITE CARE ACT

RYAN WHITE
Anyone who is involved with the HIV/AIDS epidemic in any way, either as a patient, a family member or a friend of a patient, or as an employee or volunteer in the healthcare field has undoubtedly heard about The Ryan White Care Act and about the federal funding for HIV/AIDS programs that is supplied as a result of the program. However, many people today do not know the background of the Ryan White Care Act, and I feel that it is essential for all of us involved in this epidemic to know the history behind this program and to know Ryan White.

Ryan White was born in Kokomo, Indiana (U.S.) in 1971. He was diagnosed with hemophilia (a disorder where the blood is unable to clot normally due to a deficiency of Factor VIII, one of the essential clotting factors) when he was only 3 days old. Ryan needed transfusions of Factor VIII ( a blood clotting factor) twice a week for his entire life to prevent him from bleeding to death.

In 1984, while he was hospitalized for the treatment of an aggressive pneumonia, Ryan was diagnosed with AIDS after he had surgery to remove a part of his lung to treat the pneumonia.

He had been infected with HIV through one of the multiple life-saving transfusions that he had received. Ryan was 13 years old, and was given 6 months to live. He went on to fight the disease and turn his illness into something that people would learn from and benefit from for years.

In the early 1980's, AIDS caused panic and fear among just about everyone due to the fact that not much was known about the disease at that time. Ryan was expelled from his school due to the supposed risk to the other students, but was determined to return to school and live his life normally. After legal battles, Ryan won the case and was readmitted to school with the provisions of a separate restroom and disposable utensils and plates in the cafeteria. Ryan and his family continued to face discrimination and threats of violence; his locker at school was vandalized and a bullet was even fired into the family's home. Ryan and his family eventually moved to Cicero, Indiana, a neighboring town, in order to escape the discrimination.

In Cicero, Ryan and his family were welcomed by the town, his new classmates, and the school faculty. The Whites lived in a house that was purchased for them by Michael Jackson, and Ryan became well-known and well-respected by his classmates. Ryan participated in benefits to raise awareness about AIDS and money for AIDS patients. He was actively involved in educating people about the nature of HIV and AIDS and how it could be transmitted; he was proof that it was not a "gay" disease. He was instrumental in educating the country that it was safe to be around someone with the disease and that the virus was not transmitted by casual contact. Ryan made a big difference in the early years of the AIDS epidemic. He even spoke before the President's Commission about AIDS; click here to read his testimony. Ryan appeared on national television news shows and talk shows many times, attended many benefits for HIV/AIDS and acted as the "poster-boy" of the disease, and even had a movie made about him, "The Ryan White Story", which aired on ABC.

Ryan died in 1990 of pneumonia caused by AIDS, at the age of 18. His funeral was a standing-room-only event attended by many celebrities including Elton John, Michael Jackson, Phil Donahue, and Judith Light.

Congress enacted the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act in 1990. Besides Medicare and Medicaid, this program is the largest federally funded program for the the medical and psychological care of those living with HIV and AIDS. The program has been continuously funded since it began.

POLITICS AND HIV/AIDS IN THE UNITED STATES

Last weekend, Congress passed the Ryan White Care Act Re-authorization Bill, which provides funding for HIV/AIDS programs in the United States. The bill was passed by a voice vote as a Compromise Measure. The initial bill was passed by the House earlier this year, and vetoed by Congress due to disagreement regarding the allocation of funds; President Bush praised the members of Congress for their bipartisan compromise regarding the bill.

The original bill, which was vetoed by Congress early in 2006, called for a decrease in federal funding to urban areas for HIV/AIDS care and an increase in funding to rural areas which were experiencing an increase in the numbers of HIV/AIDS patients. The Compromise Measure will maintain 95% of the funding levels of 2006 for urban areas in the coming year (although the urban areas were requesting a great increase in funds), and increase the funding to some rural areas in need. The funds for prescription drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS will be unchanged. The legislation also calls for reconsideration of the bill and restructure the Ryan White Care Program with new laws after 3 years.

These changes will allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services more flexibility when deciding which areas of the country have the greatest need and then directing the federal funds to those areas. This will provide the patients who are in the high-need rural areas more access to life-saving services than they have had in the past, and will also maintain most of the funding to the urban areas so that they can continue to provide adequate services to those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Click here to read the full article from the NY Times.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE- THE WORK WE HAVE AHEAD OF US IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS

There is no way to predict how the HIV/AIDS pandemic will turn out. Many feel that entire developing nations will literally "disappear" as more and more of their people become infected with HIV and do not have access to care. I think that this is an unrealistic and improbable prediction. The international community has recognized the seriousness of the problem and seen the impact of HIV/AIDS in some of the developing nations. Governments are becoming mobilized and involved in the fight against this devastating disease. HIV and AIDS is now being recognized internationally as a major health issue, a social issue, and a political issue. Most would agree that it is going to take international effort and the collaboration and cooperation of many different governments to contain the spread of HIV and to resolve the issues surrounding it, such as access to early testing and adequate care and medications.

• All governments in the world must be actively involved in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
• Education and prevention efforts must be culturally specific.
• All age groups need to be educated regarding condom use and the prevention of HIV.
• Common myths and misconceptions about sexuality and HIV need to be challenged; for example, some cultures believe that AIDS is a curse of the Devil, and that praying to God will prevent or cure it.
• Education and legislation is needed to reduce the discrimination and prejudice that exists towards those who are infected with HIV.
• Access to free condoms needs to be increased.
• Free HIV testing needs to be available worldwide.
• Adequate treatment and medications must be made available to all who are HIV+ so that they can live longer, healthier lives and also avoid transmitting the virus to others.
• The pharmaceutical companies who manufacture and market antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV must continue to provide medications at an affordable price or at cost to the developing world.
• The children worldwide who are orphaned as a result of AIDS must be cared for in stable environments and educated about prevention of HIV infection.

Unlike any other time in history, this is the time for the entire world to unite and work together.

WORLDWIDE HIV & AIDS STATISTICS

• WORLDWIDE:
  As of late in 2006, the world population (the total number of human beings alive on the planet Earth) was 6.5 billion people.

In 2006, there were approximately 42 million people in the world living with HIV and AIDS, and 74 % of these people live in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Over 19 million women worldwide are currently living with HIV/AIDS.
• There are 2.3 million children worldwide living with HIV/AIDS.
• Over 22 million people worldwide have died from AIDS since 1981.
• There were 2.9 million deaths worldwide from AIDS in 2006.
• The United Nations estimates that there are currently 14 million AIDS orphans worldwide, and they have predicted that number to increase to 25 million children by the year 2010.
• Ethiopia, Nigeria, China, India, and Russia account for 40% of the world's population, and it is estimated that there will be 50-75 million people infected with HIV living in these areas by the year 2010.
• Every day, 14,ooo new HIV infections are diagnosed worldwide; 95% of these people live in developing nations.
• There are approximately 5 million new infections worldwide each year, with half of them occurring in people ages 15-24 years.

UNITED STATES STATISTICS:

• It is estimated that 1 million people in the United States are currently living with HIV and AIDS.
• There were approximately 14.000 deaths due to AIDS in the U.S. in 2006.
• Approximately 40,ooo new infections are diagnosed each year.
• Half of all new infections in the U.S. occur in people less than 25 years of age.
• 70% of new infections in the U.S. occur in men, and 30% occur in women.
• 75% of the new infections occurring in women in the U.S. are transmitted heterosexually.
• 54% of the new infections in the U.S. occur in African Americans; 64% of all new infections among women in the U.S. occur in African American women.
• HIV/AIDS has been reported in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories.
• It is estimated that there are up to 1/4 million people in the U.S. who are HIV positive and are unaware of their status.

These are very alarming statistics; it is possible that these numbers are actually low, especially for the worldwide cases, as many developing nations lack the sophistication to track and report cases accurately. People are living longer with HIV/AIDS due to advances in the development of new antiretroviral medications and better laboratory monitoring. In addition, the availability of rapid HIV testing procedures has helped to diagnose more people at an earlier stage of HIV disease, getting them into treatment before the disease progresses to AIDS.

It is clear that action needs to be taken by all of the nations in the world to launch widespread campaigns to educate people about HIV/AIDS and about the use of condoms and other means to prevent infection. This has become much more than a health issue; it is now one of the most important social and political issues in the world today.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO HIV AND AIDS EDUCATION

The following quote was posted on a message board and discussion forum that I visit frequently. The writer listed his location as Nigeria and his age as 29 years; no information regarding education was given:

"Can you contact AIDS after having sex. I don`t think so.AIDS has its spiritual origin from the marine kingdom.It is the Devil that afflict people with it.We normally cast it out through prayer and the afflicted receive their healing.I have seen people that contacted it without even being unfaithful to their partner.If you see yourself eating in the dream when sleeping,there`s the possibility that you can contact it.You need to be totally delivered from every manipulation of the Devil".

The first response of any person in the Western World who is educated about HIV and AIDS, regardless of their ethnic or religious background, would be a reactionary one; we would respond in an emotional fit of anger, most likely referring to the person as ignorant, stupid, or a lunatic. After I re-read this post and gave it some serious thought, I realized more than ever how much work we have ahead of us in the development and initiation of HIV and AIDS prevention and education initiatives in the developing world. If this is truly the belief of the people in some of these areas, such as Africa and India, where the epidemic is growing at alarming rates, then approaching these societies with our beliefs is not going to have an impact. The education and teaching has got to be culturally sensitive and specific, and it must be approached within the context of the belief systems of the people involved.

Every human being has a right to their own religious belief system, and we need to be tolerant of their beliefs and values. The leaders in global education and prevention need to come up with a way to help these people understand what HIV is, how HIV is transmitted, how to prevent infection, and how HIV and AIDS is treated. The teaching is going to have to incorporate the people's religious belief systems into this education in order to get them to buy into it. If people believe that HIV and AIDS is the curse of the Devil and that it can be cured by prayer, it is going to take a lot more creativity than sending a few celebrities across the world to hand out free condoms and offer HIV testing to these people to contain the epidemic.

I have included some links to organizations that address the World AIDS Prevention efforts:

http://www.unaids.org/en/

http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/gap/

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/219487/116654337195.htm

http://www.globalstrategies.org/

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB "LIGHT TO UNITE PRGRAM"

Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMS) and the National AIDS Fund launched the 3rd annual "Light to Unite Campaign" on 11/27/06 to support World AIDS Day. I just found out about this campaign today, and will pass along the information, since the campaign is active until 12/31/06.

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a major pharmaceutical company whose mission statement includes: "At Bristol-Myers Squibb, our mission is to extend and enhance human life by providing the highest quality pharmaceuticals and health care products". Bristol-Myers Squibb developed, manufactures, and sells several life-saving antiretroviral medications to treat HIV and AIDS: Sustiva (efavirenz), Reyataz (atazanavir), Zerit (stavudine), Videx EC (didanosine), and it shares the co-marketing of Atripla (Truvada plus Sustiva in a combination pill) with another major pharmaceutical company.

The National AIDS Fund was founded in 1988 to reduce the incidence and impact of HIV/AIDS by promoting leadership and generating resources for effective community responses to the epidemic; the organization connects national and local funders, scientists, and community based organizations in the fight against the worldwide pandemic of HIV and AIDS.

People across the United States are encouraged to visit the "Light to Unite" website to educate themselves about HIV and AIDS and the issues surrounding the disease, as well as to show their support for those who are infected with or affected by the virus. On the website, visitors can light a "virtual candle" to show support for those living with HIV and AIDS. For each candle that is lit, BMS will donate $1, up to a maximum of $100,ooo, to benefit AIDS Service Organizations in under-served areas of the United States. This campaign is active until 12/31/06, however at this time the maximum of $100,000 has already been reached. Please continue to visit the site, share your experiences and knowledge, and educate yourself about the disease. BMS has a strong commitment to the support of HIV and AIDS education and treatment, and it would not surprise me if they responded to an overwhelming response to the campaign with additional contributions.

BMS also sponsors a program called "Secure the Future", which is dedicated to providing care and support to women and children in Africa with HIV and AIDS. Click here to learn more.

DECIDING TO HAVE A BABY WHEN YOU ARE HIV+

Not too many years ago, the idea of an HIV infected woman choosing to have a baby brought about strong opposition from just about everyone, including medical professionals who were involved in the treatment of HIV disease. In the past, people with HIV were not expected to live long, and the chances of their children being born HIV+ was greater than 25%. Today, with the advances in the care and treatment of HIV, people are living longer, healthier lives. Many HIV+ women are now making the decision to become pregnant and start a family, with the support of their HIV treatment specialists.

Although there are still many people, including medical professionals, who would discourage an HIV+ woman from having a baby because of the risk of mother-to-child transmission of the virus, most HIV treatment specialists now have an acceptance that starting a family is in fact an option for an HIV+ woman. With the advances in treatment, the risk of transmitting the virus is less than 2% overall, and studies have proven that pregnancy and childbirth does not affect the progression of HIV in the mother in any way.

Women who take HIV medications and have an undetectable HIV viral load have the lowest risk for transmission of the virus to their babies; however, certain medications can cause serious birth defects and must not be taken if a woman is pregnant or trying to become pregnant. It is vital that the decision to become pregnant be discussed with the healthcare provider in advance so that the woman is on an appropriate regimen of medications.

Most couples cannot afford procedures such as sperm-washing, so they will make the decision to have unprotected sex in order to get pregnant; unprotected sex itself has risks (other than pregnancy) which the couple needs to consider. This is a personal and individual decision which both partners must make after they have been informed of the potential risks and the ways to minimize those risks as much as possible. If the man is HIV negative, he should know that unprotected sex with an HIV+ woman could put him at risk for becoming HIV+, although the transmission rate from females to males through unprotected vaginal sex is lower than it is from males to females; the risk is decreased even further if the woman is taking antiretroviral medications to treat the HIV and her viral load is undetectable. If both partners are HIV+, unprotected sex can cause one partner to become reinfected with a different HIV virus, potentially leading to treatment complications in the future. Either way, there is risk involved. If a woman is trying to become pregnant by having unprotected sex, she should be taking HIV medications consistently and have an undetectable HIV viral load (as should her partner, if he is also HIV+). The couple should receive preconception counselling from an obstetrician to determine the time of the month when the woman is most fertile, and engage in unprotected sex only at that time; condoms should be used for the remainder of the month.

As with any woman, an HIV+ woman who is trying to become pregnant should give up smoking and avoid all alcohol and drug use. She should have a gynecological examination and PAP smear and be screened for other sexually transmitted diseases, and she should start taking prescription prenatal vitamins containing folic acid and calcium before she becomes pregnant to help ensure the health of her baby.

A couple will most likely encounter some critical, negative, and unsupportive attitudes from certain family members or friends regarding their decision to have a baby, and they should be prepared to deal with this. Many people are unaware of the advances in HIV treatment, and simply educating them will help them to become more understanding and supportive. The couple should encourage people who are critical of their decision to ask questions, and assist them in getting the knowledge that they need to understand their decision. To reduce stress, the couple may find it helpful to seek supportive counselling from a mental health professional so that they can discuss their feelings openly.

Future posts will discuss other aspects of pregnancy and HIV disease, including childbirth and the care of the newborn.

AT THE TOP OF THIS POST IS A PICTURE OF MY GOD-DAUGHTER, ZARIA, WHEN SHE WAS 3 MONTHS OLD. BOTH OF HER PARENTS ARE HIV+ ( IN FACT, HER DAD IS AIDS-DEFINED, BUT IS DOING VERY WELL ON MEDICATIONS). ZARIA IS NOW 1 YEAR OLD, AND IS HIV NEGATIVE. SHE IS A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY BABY WHO HAS BROUGHT LOVE AND JOY TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT ESPECIALLY TO HER PARENTS, WHO WANTED TO HAVE A BABY TOGETHER AND PLANNED HER BIRTH.

THE POSSIBILITY OF A CURE FOR AIDS

Although great advances have been made in the treatment and monitoring of HIV and AIDS since the 1990's, the possibility for a cure remains elusive.

The possibility of scientists finding a cure for AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) or a vaccine to prevent the transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS) in the foreseeable future is very improbable, if not impossible. This is definitely not due to a lack of effort on the part of science. The fact is, HIV is a very clever and resilient virus; it is capable of mutating very rapidly in order to ensure its survival in the body. As the virus mutates and is transmitted to another human being through blood and body fluid contact, such as unprotected sexual activity, it will continue to mutate and change in the new host.

Scientists are zealously studying and trying to understand this virus, and will continue to do so, in hopes of discovering a breakthrough "cure". In the meantime, billions of dollars are spent by the pharmaceutical companies each year on research and development of new and less toxic treatments for HIV and AIDS. To say that nothing is being done is very much a wrong impression. The work is being done, it just doesn't seem to be giving us the instant results that we want.

We may not be happy about the fact that this disease is here, and seems to be here to stay. We may be appalled at the rates of infection in areas of the world without sophisticated medical care, such as South Africa, parts of Asia, and the Caribbean. But we have to admit that the effort is being made, and will continue to be made, to control and contain this virus- if not eradicate it.

HIV and AIDS knows no boundaries. It is no longer about politics, sexual orientation, lifestyle, or drug use. It is about being human. It is not up to us to judge how someone might have become infected; that really doesn't matter. We are all susceptible; the next diagnosed case of HIV could be any one of us. We have a responsibility to be compassionate to any human being who is infected with or affected by HIV.