What else can we do....

This week's Question of the Week asked, how can we get information about HIV and AIDS out to the communities if education is not working. For my add-on this week, I would like to expand on this question a little.

I believe we as a group of people need to find a way to get the information about HIV and AIDS to society, but how do we do this? For many years, we have been stating we should educate, educate, educate..but yet as we educate, the numbers of individuals with HIV/AIDS is increasing. So, why isn't the education process working?

I don't believe we necessarily have to educate more, but we have to find a way for the people to take it more seriously. As I stated in one of my responses to my peer's post..when I was in 5th grade we had a sex education class. I can remember many of the girls sitting in the back of the class, whispering, laughing and talking about other things. For some reason, they didn't feel the information they were receiving was important enough for them to listen to.

It's been many years since I've been in 5th grade been in 5th grade but I don't believe the mindset of our youth has gotten any better. From the amount of young girls having babies it does not seem that they are thinking about HIV and even other diseases. We have to figure out a way to let everyone know...there is no one that is excluded from being able to get HIV/AIDS. AIDS has no respect of person; we have to teach our young kids to get out of their heads that it cannot happen to them.


Course growth....

This course has taught me so many things. I never had the mentality that I'd never be able to get HIV or AIDS or even other diseases...but this class really brought it to an reality for me. Our last assignment from MODULE 8, really helped me to realized that I too one day could have HIV/AIDS if I did not protect myself and use all of the preventive techniques I've learned in this class. I believe this class should be required for all college students. With all of the parties and things going on with college students, they too need to know they are not excluded from the outbreak of these dieases.

HIV testing on Animal...

For my add-on this week, I wanted to continue our discussion board discussion. The Question of the Week was quite controversial this week. For those of one who might not have read the question of the week, the question stated: "We all know that testing is done on animals to see if various compounds will work or not when it comes to human beings. We do it for the make up industry, the food industry and the pharmaceutical industry. Studies have found that testing vaccines on chimps doesn't produce the desired results because chimps live with the virus, pass it on and die from old age or hunters' bullets. Yet we persist in using them for testing. This week's question is based on the ethical dilemma of continued testing on chimps when we know they are sacrificing their lives for nothing. Do we continue to use our closest relative (because there is an over 99% DNA compatability with humans) for HIV vaccine testing or do we use humans to prove whether or not the vaccines work? " ( Linda P)

After answering this question, I became very interested in testing on animals. This class has really given me the urge to do alot of independent research. When researching this topic I found out that animal testing is one of the main ways for scientist to discover cures for diseases (FDA, 2008). Although I think it is important that we work hard towards finding cures for diseases, viruses and other illnesses, I don't think that it is right for animals to have to suffer in order for us to find these cures.

Organizations such as PETA work hard to protect animal's rights. According to PETA Organization website, they are constantly working to keep the innocent animals safe from the most dangerous creature in the world, HUMANS.

Did you know....

According to PETA over 20,000 animals are used everyday as test specimen for various experiments, of those animals almost half of them die because of the experiment. I think it is very important for us to do our research in order to find the cure for HIV, but I think with the type of technology we have today there has to be a better way for us to test. I support testing but not testing on animals in order to find the cure, we have to strive together and work hard to find other ways for us to experiment.

HIV is a serious virus and we have to find a way to stop it.

Course Growth....

Each and every week I find myself growing into a stronger and better person in life. I have to thank this class for most of my personal growth because I've learned how to have compassion on others, through this class. Two weeks ago I told you all about my friend who has found out that she is now HIV positive. Last weekend my friend asked me if I would like to join her as she gave her parents the news of her diagnosis.

As I had previously promised my friend, I told her I'd be there with her whenever she needed me. As we drove to her parent's home she was very nervous about how they would conceive her and how they would now treat her. Sitting in her livingroom, she began to cry so hard, her parents knew something was wrong with her. She finally managed to tell her parents she was HIV positive. Much to my surprise. Her parent's reacted just as we hoped they wouldn't. Her mom began to cry, and her dad's face went sour. They began to scold her for not being responsible. Her mom began to scream at her and call her things, I could never imagine my mom ever saying to me.

It was at this point that I was able to share information I've learned in this class with her parents. I enlightened them on different support groups and how my friend could become a spokesperson and share her story with other young people. Her parent's were still a bit startled about all of the news they'd received but after I shared information with them that I'd learned from this class and by reading other's blogs...they realized it was not the end of the world for their daughter.

Did you know...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 40,049 cumulative cases of AIDS among people ages 13 to 24 through 2004 and of course these numbers are growing daily (CDC, 2005).

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, most young adults are afraid to tell their parents they are HIV positive and some even wait months after they have found out about the virus, before they tell their parents.

I believe a lot of young people fear their parent's reactions, but it is important for them to let their parent's know their situation.

This class has taught me so much, I love being able to share what I have learned and reading what others have learned as well.

Add on...10/21/09

This week while I was doing some research in order to see what I would like to use as my add-on, I found some very interesting information about NATIONAL HIV TESTING day. National HIV testing day is June 27th of each year. In 2009, more African Americans showed up for public testing than any other year (HIV Test Org, 2009).

There were many African American female celebrities who showed up to have their test done publically as well. These celebrities include: Vanessa Williams, Angie Stone, Tatyana Ali, Tyra Banks, Beyonce Knowles and many more (HIV Test Org, 2009). When reading this information I was very proud to see that this event was supported by African Americans around the world and most importantly that African American women were supporting this event.

I feel an individual should participate in taking the test as a personal decision, but it is very important for those individuals who have a lot of influence over others to stand up and be an example. By seeing the list of well-known African American women who took part in the testing made me very proud to know, that African American women are finally taking a stand and getting educated about HIV/AIDS.

Did you know...

For black women living with HIV/AIDS, the most common methods of transmission were high-risk heterosexual contact and injection drug use (CDC, 2008). I believe this fact hold true because not enough education about the virus is being spread throughout the African American communities. I do not believe this is because the resources are not available, I think African American just try to get away or dodge the situation. The truth of the matter is, because we are not getting educated on HIV/AIDS, we are the leading group of people with HIV. Let's take a stand and make a difference!

HIV Confidentiality Laws...

Confidentiality when it comes to HIV/AIDS is very important. I believe more individuals would be willing to get HIV tests, if they were more informed on the confidentiality and security provided to individuals being tested for HIV, and those who have HIV.

Many countries have passed confidentiality laws in order to protect the people of that country. South Africa like many other countries have laws that assure the patients that their personal health information will not be disclosed to others.

According to the Section 14 of the Constitution of South Africa Act, No. 108 of 1996, all individuals with HIV and AIDS as well, has the right to privacy. This means, all testing information including results or status may not be disclosed by the health professional to anyone who is not a healthcare professional. If the information is disclosed, it can only be shared with the Physician directly assigned to the individual with HIV (HIV/AIDS Policy, 2001). The disclosure of this information is considered a breach of doctor-patient confidentiality and is punishable by the medical board if reported (HIV/AIDS Policy, 2001).

I believe it is policies like this one that give us hope. If more individuals knew their personal information would not be disclosed then, more would be willing to get tested. Getting tested is the important key of successfully fight HIV/AIDS.

HIVpositive friend...

For this weeks blog, I thought it would be a good idea for me to blog about my HIV positive friend. I first spoke with my friend and ask her if it would be ok if I shared her personal story and she did agree.

About two months ago, my friend of many years found out that she was HIV positive. Much to my suprise, I was the first individual she shared the news with. We sat down the other night to discuss her personal situation, I wanted to hear her story. From the first time she told me that she was HIV positive we've never really sat down to discuss how and when she contracted the disease.

So I asked her, how long have you known you were HIV positive and she said for about 7months. She stated she did not know how to tell anyone, but she wanted to tell someone she felt would not badger her, so she told me. I was so thrilled that she felt was a good enough friend that she could tell me something of this extent.

She stated she contracted a disease from a guy she was dating for a few months. She'd decided to go and get tested just as a precaution and much to her suprise she was diagnosed as HIV positive. She was devastated. She thought it was the end of the world. She told the guy she tested positive and he too went to get tested and was positive as well. She knew she got the virus from him due to her never being with anyone else.

As she told me her story, I sat quietly and listened to every detail, because this virus was NOW real to me. I'd heard of many HIV stories before but now this virus seemed so much more personal knowing someone I've grown to love as a sister is now positive.

From this class I learned so much. It has taught me to be even more supportive for my friend. I told her that I would help her fight this virus, and win. I just wanted to share this with my fellow readers , because it is not that I have really gained a desire to learn more about the disease that way I can help my friend through this situation as well. I've grown so much personally from this class, and this has become of my most favorite classes.

Course Growth...

This course has really helped me to increase my knowledge about the HIV virus. Not only has this course taught me alot about the virus, it has also taught me alot about life as well. This course has taught me not to be judgemental. Before taking this class, I too was ignorant to many of the facts about HIV. I knew that anyone could contract HIV in certain circumstances, but I'd still kept my own personal stigma on the virus as well. As bad as it may sound, I always felt that most of the individuals who contracted HIV were either homosexual or individuals involved in risky activities: unprotected sex, drug users, needle sharers, etc. I did not realize that the there is a large percentage of individuals who contract the disease from blood transfusions or even at birth.

Each week I enjoy reading the blogs of my fellow classmates. I have learned many interesting facts and statistics that I was not aware of . Each week I look to forward to reading the blogs to learn as much as I can about the virus.

Education is the key. The more we know about the virus, the better off we will be.

Did you know...

In 2008, 74% of all HIV cases where males. Of those 74%, 27% were heterosexual. In 2007 33.2 million people were estimated to be living with HIV, 2.5 million people became newly infected and 2.1 million people died of AIDS (CDC, 2008). The virus is growing and spreading more each year. It is important that we take a stand and speak out.

Support Groups in the Orlando Area

This week I felt it would be very important for me to post some information about some local HIV support groups. I feel as though it is very important that we get the information out in regards to different aid and assistance that is available to individuals who have the HIV virus. In doing some research I found there are many support groups within the Orlando area. I'm not sure if many individuals are aware that these groups are available to the public, but I feel it is my duty to provide the information here in my blog this week.

Some of the support groups that I have found online are: Hope and Help of Central Florida are located in the Winter Park area. Hope and Help work daily 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 (Hope and Help, 2009). Living and Thriving HIV/AIDS Support Group are located in Orlando area. This group works targets the Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered & Bi-Sexual community. Their goals is to educate the gay community, family and friends on HIV and once they have educated their community, then they can spread the information abroad. Joy MCC HIV/AIDS Ministry is another organization that is working together with other local organizations to get the most accurate and current information about HIV out to the public. All of these groups are located within the Orlando area and have weeking meetings where they discuss different topics about HIV to help individual suffering with the virus have a smoother journey. They teach the individuals how to deal with the pain and suffering most individuals acquire once diagnosed with the virus.

Did you know...

In the Orlando area there are only a few known organizations and support groups that target the African American women community. I believe more African American women need to step up to the plate and get involved in the movement. If we become more involved, we can educate others and ourselves as well and get the statistics down.

Support Group Pages:

Hope and Help of Central Florida, Inc.
Marilyn Carifi1935 Woodcrest Dr.Winter Park, FL 32792Tel:407-645-2577

http://www.hopeandhelp.org/

Living and Thriving: HIV/AIDS Support Group
Front DeskGLBCC - 946 N. Mills Ave.Orlando, FL 32803Tel:407-228-8272

http://www.glbcc.org/

Joy MCC HIV/AiDs Ministry
Patrick Caraher2351 S. FerncreekOrlando, FL 32806
Tel:407-894-1081 Ext 18

http://www.joyhivaidsministry.blogspot.com/

There are many other groups within the Orlando area fight for the cause. We have to stick together if we want to defeat HIV/AIDS.

A V E R T

The organization AVERT (Averting HIV and AIDS) is an international organization based in England that are constantly working to educate, treat and care for HIV/AIDS patients. This orgranization participates in many fundraiser projects; all the money raised goes towards HIV prevention efforts, educational materials and HIV support groups and seminars.

This organization was created by a group of African American individuals who thought it was very important that they got together to educate the African American community on the HIV virus. AVERT works with many Universities to host different projects to raise money and awareness as well.

Did you know...09/16

Did you know that HIV/AIDS is the leading case of death for African American women ages 25-34 years old (CDC,2008.).

African American women account for a large percentage of the total HIV cases due to the lack of being tested.In 2006, Black women accounted for 61% of new HIV cases among women, but make up only 12% of US female population. The rate of HIV diagnoses for African American women is 15 times the rate for Caucasian women (Univ of Cali, 2007).

The numbers are changing daily and unforunately, as of right now they are increasing not decreasing. African American women from all walks of life, different economic backgrounds, religions, social lifestyles and political factors are being infected. The percentage of women with HIV have transmitted in many different ways; infected needles, sexual partners, spouses an blood transfusions.

Something needs to be done to get these numbers down. This is why it is so important for us an individuals to make sure we are taking full responsibilities for our actions.

Reference(s):

Picture: tffcam.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/hiv.jpg

Did you know...

As stated in the previous blog, many topics dealing with HIV interest me. One topic that interests me the most is: HIV in African American women. I think this topic most interests me because I am an African American woman and I believe its very important to know how the virus is affecting women of color.

When researching this topic, I found that recent studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that out of all the women in the U.S. with HIV black women make up 67% of the total (Health Mad, 2006). If the statistics were that high back in 2003, I can only imagine what the statistics are now, with the virus spreading throughout the world the percentage of African American women with HIV or at risk for HIV must be rather high.

HIV has no respect of person. It doesn't matter what race you are, how old you are or even what gender you are. Each and everyone has the chance of being infected if we don't protect ourselves.

Picture: http://www.routledgepolitics.com/common/jackets/weblarge/978078903/9780789031709.jpg

HIV: Topic that interest me..

Before entering the HIV: Human Concern class I did know a little about the HIV virus. There are many topics regarding to HIV that interest me, but the topic that I interesting is the modes of tranmission. I believe this information is interesting, simply because I believe it to be extremely important.

The different modes of transmission are: contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids (Web MD, 2008). Most people who contract the virus get it from having unprotected sex with an individual who is HIV positive, this is one reason I believe it to be very important that all individuals who choose to engage in sexual activities protect themselves and others by getting checked regularly and using protection. Another way to contracting the virus that is quite common is, the sharing of needles with someone with infected blood. (Web MD, 2008). We can't always control what others are doing, which is why it's really important to protect ourselves.I have empathy for all individuals with HIV, but I feel the most empathy for babies who have contracted the virus from their infected mothers. I believe these to be the saddest cases of HIV for the simple fact that the young, innocent and helpless child has become infected.

I feel HIV is a very interesting subject and I look forward to a semester of learning and discussions on this virus.

All About Me...

Hello, my name is Allison. I'm 20 years old and I'm a Junior at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Health Sciences: Pre-clinical Allied. I spend most of my free time playing sports, teaching dance at my church, working and doing A LOT of studying. I took this class because it seems to be a very interesting subject and I feel it's rather important to be well informed on HIV. I believe it's very important for everyone to gather as much information as possible about this virus in order to prevent themselves from contracting the virus and/or spreading the virus. I hope to gain a lot of valuable information that I can carry back to family, friends, co-workers, classmates and church family. I believe the more informed of this virus we are, the more likely we are to defeat it.