http://www.imstilljosh.com/10-things-hiv-positive-people-should-believe/?_utm_source=1-2-2
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Sunday, March 20, 2016
An excerpt from article written by David Heitz on HIVEqual.org. Click here to be redirected to full artilce on why smoking is so bad for + individuals
Why cigarettes are so bad for people with HIV
By now most people with HIV have had heard the lecture: Because HIV produces a chronic state of inflammation in the body,quitting smoking greatly cuts down on the chances of a getting sick or even dying prematurely. For long-term survivors, catching an opportunistic infection and dying of AIDS is much less of a problem than it used to be (although smoking batters the immune system and doesn’t help with that either). People with HIV today are much more likely to die of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain cancers, all of which are caused by inflammation. Smoking aggravates that inflammation.
#HIVTruth #FightStigma #SpeakOutHIV #HIV #HIVStigma #AIDS
Proper responses to someone who just told you they were HIV+. A PLWH (person living with HIV) should be treated with kindness like any other hardship
#HIVTruth #FightStigma #SpeakOutHIV #HIV #HIVStigma #AIDS
Protecting Our Youth From HIV Starts in the Classroom
Joel GoldmanManaging Director of The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
In honor of AIDSWatch 2016 taking place this week in Washington, D.C., Elizabeth Taylor’s granddaughter Laela Wilding and great-grandson Finn McMurray have shared their thoughts on HIV prevention. AIDSWatch is the largest constituent-based HIV advocacy event in the U.S., bringing hundreds of HIV advocates to Washington, D.C. from across the country to educate Congress about the policies and resources needed to end the HIV epidemic.
How can we expect to see an end to the HIV and AIDS epidemic our grandmother so fiercely fought if we are not educating our children and providing them with the knowledge they need to protect themselves from HIV?
Inception: an image depicting the precise moment that the HIV Virus attacks and fuses itself to the T 4 cell.
#HIVTruth #FightStigma #SpeakOutHIV #HIV #HIVStigma #AIDS
HIV Virus seems to be weakening in Africa new studies show
This is an article published in 2014 by HIVEqual... wondering if any more studies have proven this theory any further?
..........
....A recent study on more than 2,000 women in Africa has shown that the HIV virus is slowing in its ability to cause AIDS. Scientists say 
that the research could mean that a less potent HIV virus could be one of the contributing factors in reducing the number of AIDS diagnoses worldwide.
that the research could mean that a less potent HIV virus could be one of the contributing factors in reducing the number of AIDS diagnoses worldwide.
Still, researchers in the study say that this doesn’t mean that HIV has lost its potency. AIDS is still a deadly virus that kills thousands of people each year. But for the first time in the history of the epidemic, the annual number of HIV infections is lower than the number of HIV-positive people being added to those receiving treatment. This information represents a watershed moment in an effort to reduce deaths related to AIDS.
What an Advanced HIV Test Could Mean for the Newly Diagnosed
I love HIVEqual (David Heitz's articles especially) for there constant wealth of educating articles and always up to date information. I admire any read which leaves no debate either because it's talking about something that is soon coming so it leaves you informed and anticipating or is backed up by case studies and/or input from a medical professional... click title for actual article on www.hivequal.org website
Written BY: DAVID HEITZ
Published BY: HIVEqual.org
MARCH 17TH, 2016
When it comes to ending HIV/AIDS, diagnostic tests likely will play as important a role as patient treatments themselves.
Chemists at Stanford University are in the very early stages of developing a test for certain cancers and HIV that is thousands of times more sensitive than the tests we currently have or are in development. The new assays are even being tested in clinical trials.
Unveiled last month in the peer-reviewed journal ACS Central Science, the Agglutination-PCR detects antibodies by using a short strand of DNA. The DNA attaches to the molecule that binds to the antibody that emerges to fight the disease. The DNA strand is far easier to find than standard “flags” used in most assays that fish for disease antibodies.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Charlie Sheen's public disclosure, his "doctor" and all the media coverage: Taking advantage of the ignorant OR helping #FightHIVStigma ?
article
The article above I really haven't even read as I can only read so much on the topic and still have a life but in forums and social media the topic does come up often lately. My take at first was very much for Charlie Sheen's disclosure and I still feel the same on that. I try to sit back on most issues and listen to everyone's else's comments just like political and religious topics I tend to agree with both sides at times so rather than sound hypocritical changing my stance I wait till I have a firm decision as often as I can hold out. Due to statistics showing a rise in testing and I see the spike in general population about HIV I think it's a good thing. I've heard his "tragic" story and I use that term loosely not because I have no compassion but compared to mine even it's not so bad. Being betrayed by friends sucks. We all go through this whether money is involved or not it feels the same. Like Shit. And albeit brave, try walking into a bar in 2001 with a bunch of judging gays looking at you and then turning away when you look back and then watch people laugh and wonder if they are laughing at you... at times they are. Or walking into work and when asked why your sick again you tell them your immune compromised and of course you already know they assume your + just because your gay, it's 2001 and the straight community is ignorant, so you get questioned with terrified eyes about how you can contract it, who gave it to you, etc etc etc. Not "I'm so sorry, how is your family handling it?" or "I'm sorry you don't have too long to live, have you tried getting social security, I know people like you can." blah blah. Why tell them although your doc says 5-7 years you feel in your heart your gonna live to old age? They won't believe you and think it's your attempt to be strong and not get pity. People will think whatever they think regardless of your response or statements on the topic. Only with everyone together can we start a gradual change in a positive direction. Over the last few years while trying to disclose even more by not just being honest or not hiding but looking for any reason to disclose as to promote awareness, I have heard so many stories and honestly most are like mine or much worse. By much worse I mean... yes the person who gave to me knew he had it but at least he was not a long term partner or someone who I was living with. That little difference alone is a major difference to me. Or a female who's completely unaware that her partner is Bi and doing things behind her back and now has to face the fact that she cannot have children like the average female. Although it's getting better both in science and in general thinking... it's harder for women plain and simple. Women are built mentally to yearn for kids. And I have friends in their 30's with not kids. I've seen the way they are questioned constantly with an almost sad, pity type of questioning, as if it's wrong or something must be wrong with them. No matter what the sad story gays can at least deal with gays, judging as they are and rejecting as everyone else if your a gay man your going to face less and go to any site and you'll see how targeted this issue is to just us gay men. I was on a Canadian government site yesterday in fact and it was completely geared and written for gays even offering gay chat rooms and support not one place could I find where to click if I was a female. Sad. So if by being scared of being outed Charlie Sheen had to pay some $$ for others to hush and when asked how much he states "enough to effect my future." I'm sorry LOL, it pales in comparison. BUT, as for him as a person I could give two shits if he did or does drugs. So many do and I have taken advantage of that scene all too often to even begin to judge. He also seems generally compassionate about disclosing and even if its for personal gain more than the help of others we all do this in life, it's human nature. The fact still remains, my goal is disclosure, disclosure, disclosure in an effort to educate and thereby make a global effect on this epidemic and I believe I have and I will continue to do so.. for my own benefit just as much as anyone else's. It feels good to do good. The fact also stands that his disclosure has not harmed anything but created a spike in testing... it takes many of us advocates (like 100's) to do what he does with one interview. I remind myself that I am doing this for a bigger cause not personal gain so when I see Charlie and Danny P (supposedly making profit off his disclosure) I don't get butt hurt. I'd do the same thing in their position. Unfortunately I will have to work!! But, I'll do my best to keep smiling anyhow. It's all we can do. There is always someone out there who has it worse. Always. Sounds mean but this always makes me feel better. As long as my life is just kinda fucked up compared to some.. i'm good with that!
The article above I really haven't even read as I can only read so much on the topic and still have a life but in forums and social media the topic does come up often lately. My take at first was very much for Charlie Sheen's disclosure and I still feel the same on that. I try to sit back on most issues and listen to everyone's else's comments just like political and religious topics I tend to agree with both sides at times so rather than sound hypocritical changing my stance I wait till I have a firm decision as often as I can hold out. Due to statistics showing a rise in testing and I see the spike in general population about HIV I think it's a good thing. I've heard his "tragic" story and I use that term loosely not because I have no compassion but compared to mine even it's not so bad. Being betrayed by friends sucks. We all go through this whether money is involved or not it feels the same. Like Shit. And albeit brave, try walking into a bar in 2001 with a bunch of judging gays looking at you and then turning away when you look back and then watch people laugh and wonder if they are laughing at you... at times they are. Or walking into work and when asked why your sick again you tell them your immune compromised and of course you already know they assume your + just because your gay, it's 2001 and the straight community is ignorant, so you get questioned with terrified eyes about how you can contract it, who gave it to you, etc etc etc. Not "I'm so sorry, how is your family handling it?" or "I'm sorry you don't have too long to live, have you tried getting social security, I know people like you can." blah blah. Why tell them although your doc says 5-7 years you feel in your heart your gonna live to old age? They won't believe you and think it's your attempt to be strong and not get pity. People will think whatever they think regardless of your response or statements on the topic. Only with everyone together can we start a gradual change in a positive direction. Over the last few years while trying to disclose even more by not just being honest or not hiding but looking for any reason to disclose as to promote awareness, I have heard so many stories and honestly most are like mine or much worse. By much worse I mean... yes the person who gave to me knew he had it but at least he was not a long term partner or someone who I was living with. That little difference alone is a major difference to me. Or a female who's completely unaware that her partner is Bi and doing things behind her back and now has to face the fact that she cannot have children like the average female. Although it's getting better both in science and in general thinking... it's harder for women plain and simple. Women are built mentally to yearn for kids. And I have friends in their 30's with not kids. I've seen the way they are questioned constantly with an almost sad, pity type of questioning, as if it's wrong or something must be wrong with them. No matter what the sad story gays can at least deal with gays, judging as they are and rejecting as everyone else if your a gay man your going to face less and go to any site and you'll see how targeted this issue is to just us gay men. I was on a Canadian government site yesterday in fact and it was completely geared and written for gays even offering gay chat rooms and support not one place could I find where to click if I was a female. Sad. So if by being scared of being outed Charlie Sheen had to pay some $$ for others to hush and when asked how much he states "enough to effect my future." I'm sorry LOL, it pales in comparison. BUT, as for him as a person I could give two shits if he did or does drugs. So many do and I have taken advantage of that scene all too often to even begin to judge. He also seems generally compassionate about disclosing and even if its for personal gain more than the help of others we all do this in life, it's human nature. The fact still remains, my goal is disclosure, disclosure, disclosure in an effort to educate and thereby make a global effect on this epidemic and I believe I have and I will continue to do so.. for my own benefit just as much as anyone else's. It feels good to do good. The fact also stands that his disclosure has not harmed anything but created a spike in testing... it takes many of us advocates (like 100's) to do what he does with one interview. I remind myself that I am doing this for a bigger cause not personal gain so when I see Charlie and Danny P (supposedly making profit off his disclosure) I don't get butt hurt. I'd do the same thing in their position. Unfortunately I will have to work!! But, I'll do my best to keep smiling anyhow. It's all we can do. There is always someone out there who has it worse. Always. Sounds mean but this always makes me feel better. As long as my life is just kinda fucked up compared to some.. i'm good with that!
#HIVTruth #FightStigma #SpeakOutHIV #HIV #HIVStigma #AIDS
Antidepressant may improve cognitive symptoms in people with HIV
In a small, placebo-controlled clinical trial, Johns Hopkins physicians report that the antidepressant paroxetine modestly improves decision-making and reaction time, and suppresses inflammation in people with HIV-associated cognitive impairment. The researchers say they believe this is the first time that a SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) has been shown to improve key measures of cognition in people with HIV in a controlled study.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Early antiretroviral therapy has no impact on marker of early cardiovascular disease
Written by: Keith Alcorn and Published by AidsMap.com on 23 February 2016
Starting treatment at a CD4 cell count above 500 does not lead to improvement in an important early warning sign of cardiovascular disease, and investigators are still unsure whether people who start treatment at high CD4 counts will have the same increased risk of cardiovascular disease as that reported in people with HIV over the past 15 years.
The findings were presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2016) in Boston on Tuesday.
Cohort studies have shown that HIV infection raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in people who have been infected for more than a decade, but it is less clear whether or not early antiretroviral therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. The SMART trial of treatment interruption showed a small increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease in people who stopped taking antiretroviral therapy and resumed if their CD4 count fell below 250 cells/mm3, leading to a suspicion that uncontrolled viral load might act as an inflammatory stimulus for cardiovascular disease.
Starting treatment at a CD4 cell count above 500 does not lead to improvement in an important early warning sign of cardiovascular disease, and investigators are still unsure whether people who start treatment at high CD4 counts will have the same increased risk of cardiovascular disease as that reported in people with HIV over the past 15 years.
The findings were presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2016) in Boston on Tuesday.
Cohort studies have shown that HIV infection raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in people who have been infected for more than a decade, but it is less clear whether or not early antiretroviral therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. The SMART trial of treatment interruption showed a small increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease in people who stopped taking antiretroviral therapy and resumed if their CD4 count fell below 250 cells/mm3, leading to a suspicion that uncontrolled viral load might act as an inflammatory stimulus for cardiovascular disease.
Tonight @ 9 Eastern/8 Central/ 6 PST
Don't forget, this Sunday IMRU Talk Show will be tackling one of our favorite topics: STIGMA! Our guest is Sergio Ospina, who has an amazing story to tell about HIV stigma and how his getting to know one HIV positive individual changed his views forever. You know Daniel will have a LOT to say about this subject! And John fires up his political crystal ball! Join the fun at 9 Eastern/8 Central at www.imrutalkshow.org.
#HIVTruth #FightStigma #SpeakOutHIV #HIV #HIVStigma #AIDS
Undetectable.me: A sample from a site worth promoting & developed by someone who has become a great friend.
#1 / WHAT DOES UNDETECTABLE MEAN?
With succesful treatment the amount of HIV in your body can effectively be reduced to a level that is ‘undetectable’. It is important to note that undetectable does not mean cured or free of HIV. It simply means that the treatment has stopped the virus from replicating therefore making it far less likely to be passed on during unprotected sex or higher risk play. It also means HIV is not multiplying thus reducing harm to your body.
#5 / AM I READY TO START DATING AGAIN?
Positive or negative what's always sexy? Confidence and knowing your own self worth. Remember this and you'll know when you are ready.
#HIVTruth #FightStigma #SpeakOutHIV #HIV #HIVStigma #AIDS
My response to an HIV forum question regarding when to disclose your HIV status while dating:
I like to disclose right away. In fact now a days I broadcast it any way I can to promote awareness, usually by being asked questions which gives the opportunity to educate. As for the ones who ignore you they are likely the ones who would reject you and preventing any hurtful situations in a world that throws enough unavoidable hurt anyhow, I say is a healthy decision. So basically in public I disclose right away and online I clearly state it and let them make first contact. Should you decide to meet later you can clarify that they know and if they developed a liking to you likely they will still feel the desire to meet you. Disclosure in this way or your own take on it is a reminder to yourself that not only is it okay to be a PLWH but your an equal to ALL your peers neg. & pos. alike. Your not toxic and their ignorance may not be their fault but its not yours either. Hold your head high, your living with something that makes you stronger unless you let others weaken you.
#HIVTruth #FightStigma #SpeakOutHIV #HIV #HIVStigma #AIDS
Saturday, March 12, 2016
thebody.com: A new one a day pill approved by the U.S. FDA said to be easier on kidneys and bones #HIVTruth
New Single Tablet Regimen Odefsey Approved for Treating HIV Infection
March 2, 2016
On March 1, 2016, a new single tablet regimen (STR) was approved by the FDA for treating HIV infection. Called Odefsey, the new once-a-day pill is comprised of three HIV drugs: emtricitabine, rilpivirine andtenofovir alafenamide (TAF).
Monday, March 7, 2016
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)