Ever Changing Faces HIV
I finally got the opportunity to attend a conference designed to address the ever growing new infection rate of HIV/AIDS & STI’s. This conference which is what I will continue to call it was an opportunity for people on the front line of the fight against these diseases to strategize with the powers that be. The Latino Commission on AIDS “Reunion Latina” was yet another attempt to make things happen. Workers in this field are always coming together to find better ways to reduces or even eliminate new infections. I have seen some of the most creative attempts to design campaigns that will increase awareness, and educate the target population in areas of the most concern.
During this 3 day conference I’ve heard on a few occasions that our successes are the cause of our failures. What does that mean? To answer this question we first have to look at the history of HIV & how we have progressed to the stage we are today. During the early days HIV was almost certain to be a death sentence, and I have seen & known many of people into the multiple 100’s who have fallen to the disease that are a direct result of the complications of having a compromised immune systems. Even the treatments during that time were directly linked to high number of fatalities. AZT when used in such high doses caused toxicity which bought on a whole other set of complications.
The push: The push for a better understanding of this virus (HIV) which is linked to the disease (AIDS) was a high priority. How it progressed from the point of entry to migration all the way to replication was the focus of scientific studies for the development of new treatment that would fight the illness, save and prolong life. The studies were promising, and the treatments developed were encouraging. It was determined the best to approach it was with a multiple pronged attack. (Combination therapy) Anti Retro Viral (ARV’s) were designed to stop the progression on a number of fronts. Stop the virus from penetrating the nucleus of healthy blood cells, prevent it from mutating, and slow down or stop it replication.
Job well done! Science has accomplished what it set out to do and that is to get a handle on this epidemic, control its progression, and reduce the number new infection and fatalities.
Although this approach has been successful on some levels it is also the sources that keep this epidemic booming to what seems like no end. The medications are working so well people really don’t see HIV as a real threat any longer. It is not longer a terminal disease, and has been downgraded to a now a manageable Chronic disease. Higher CD4 means a stronger immune system, and lower or non-detectable Viral Loads has lead affected and infected people into a false sense security. The message seems to be missed that HIV is still a very real threat, and it has no limits as to what community it affects.
People have choices but some or many are not using the knowledge that is laid out in front of them. Low virus in the blood does not mean you can’t get infected, and the only bright side if there is a bright side is you can live longer through treatment, service and care. Who want to be condemned to a life of taking pills? No one in their right mind! Another point that needs to be considered is the number of newly infected people that are being dually diagnosed with a secondary infection. HIV plus some form of STI or mental illness.
Many big wigs attended Reunion Latina! Epidemiologist, Representatives from The AIDS institute, DOHMH, CDC, Pharmaceutical companies etc. The only problem many saw in the presentations given were the numbers and statistics. How does this information help stop the spreading of new infections? It doesn’t! Although I think it is very important to know these numbers the epidemic is so much more the tracking the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS & STI.
Testing is one area where we can get a better handle on the issues listed above. How do we get everyone to get tested, know their HIV status, and employ the knowledge given to protect yourself, and those around you? Dr. Friedan formerly Health commissioner of DOHMH in New York, and now director of CDC & prevention in Atlanta proposed doing away with informed consent and replace it with unified informed consent. This simply means no more signed consent to test for HIV, and doctors on completion of risk assessments can just order the test as part of routine health care. I was these hearings, and his proposal was met with lots of opposition. I was even opposed to this idea at that time, but now I think he was on to something that could make a real impact on how to identify & treat people living with HIV. How do you force testing on someone without violating their civil rights? You don’t! That is why this proposal was shot down. Mean while every day we have more new infections which are happening right under our noses and we are powerless to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Who is the blame for this? One can easily argue no one is to blame or everyone is to blame, but playing the blame games does not make a difference nor does it change a thing.
Time to stop counting the numbers, watching the changing statistics! Stop all the talk & put what we know to action. Talk is not cheap but is cheapened when it is not backed up by action and behavior that will make a difference.
Recipe for sexual safety:
· Education (Knowledge is power)
· Dialog (Talk about HIV/STI with your partner(s))
· Prevention (Use Condoms both male & female, Dental Dams, Finger cots etc.)
· Testing (Knowing your status is key)
“Our successes are our biggest failures” Time to turn that around make our successes a true success. HIV can end with this generation. Our youth has that take the lead, and think smarter & not let their hormones do the thinking for them.
Women continue to lead the number of new infection, followed by the youth, and topped off by the aging over 50 populations. We can get a real handle on this epidemic and it starts with you. What will you do to make difference?
By: Craig BeBop Gibson
Pride Network, Blog & Show
