Tuesday, April 03, 2007
One More Opinion
Facing up to HIV infection:
By Phillip T. Alden
San Mateo Daily Journal (for publication, March 13, 2007)
There are 40,000 new HIV infections in the United States every year, and young people 25 years of age and younger, (roughly 13-25,) are the highest risk group for contracting the virus, so when a young person tests positive it can seem like the end of the world.
And although San Mateo County does nearly everything possible to prevent new infections here, they still happen. Even with the number of innovative programs that have been initiated by the county and various advocacy groups, that fact remains.
But testing positive for HIV no longer means what it did before the advent of highly advanced antiviral therapy, especially since the invention of Protease Inhibitors in 1995. Since then antiretroviral therapy (ART) has come a long way and people who test for the virus today still have the chance to live a long and productive life.
That's not to say that HIV is anything to fool around with, or that contracting the virus is not a serious matter, but when it happens it's important to put it in perspective. There's no escaping the trauma that comes with a diagnosis of any life-threatening illness and the emotional impact it has on the patient and those around them.
But there's reason for hope, and in San Mateo County there is ample reason for optimism. We have one of the finest HIV clinics in the country and the entire staff of the Edison Clinic are devoted to easing the difficult path that is living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, California has one of the best AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP) in the country.
Anyone in a high-risk group for HIV who is sexually active should test, as should those using certain recreational drugs, and anyone who suspects they may have been exposed should get tested right away. Catching the virus early, before it has the chance to significantly weaken the immune system, can make a difference in long-term health and overall prognosis. It's better to know and get treated than to walk around with the fear of the unknown, and much safer as well.
As with most illnesses, an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure, and anyone who is sexually active should take measures to protect themselves and their partner. This means using a condom every single time, including and especially the first time.
Anyone intending to get pregnant should test not only for HIV, but also for other infectious agents like Hepatitis C, (HCV.) There are more things than HIV to take into account before engaging in any risk activity.
Every drug addict should seek treatment whenever possible and NEVER share needles with anyone. People in this group are at the highest risk for HIV and HCV infection, (as well as the many other health risks associated with this kind of drug use.)
A person may fear being judged or even rejected. They may not want to disappoint their partner by insisting on condom use every time, but they owe it to themselves to do so. We all need to stay safe and keep those we care for safe as well.
Facing up to HIV infection:
By Phillip T. Alden
San Mateo Daily Journal (for publication, March 13, 2007)
There are 40,000 new HIV infections in the United States every year, and young people 25 years of age and younger, (roughly 13-25,) are the highest risk group for contracting the virus, so when a young person tests positive it can seem like the end of the world.
And although San Mateo County does nearly everything possible to prevent new infections here, they still happen. Even with the number of innovative programs that have been initiated by the county and various advocacy groups, that fact remains.
But testing positive for HIV no longer means what it did before the advent of highly advanced antiviral therapy, especially since the invention of Protease Inhibitors in 1995. Since then antiretroviral therapy (ART) has come a long way and people who test for the virus today still have the chance to live a long and productive life.
That's not to say that HIV is anything to fool around with, or that contracting the virus is not a serious matter, but when it happens it's important to put it in perspective. There's no escaping the trauma that comes with a diagnosis of any life-threatening illness and the emotional impact it has on the patient and those around them.
But there's reason for hope, and in San Mateo County there is ample reason for optimism. We have one of the finest HIV clinics in the country and the entire staff of the Edison Clinic are devoted to easing the difficult path that is living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, California has one of the best AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP) in the country.
Anyone in a high-risk group for HIV who is sexually active should test, as should those using certain recreational drugs, and anyone who suspects they may have been exposed should get tested right away. Catching the virus early, before it has the chance to significantly weaken the immune system, can make a difference in long-term health and overall prognosis. It's better to know and get treated than to walk around with the fear of the unknown, and much safer as well.
As with most illnesses, an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure, and anyone who is sexually active should take measures to protect themselves and their partner. This means using a condom every single time, including and especially the first time.
Anyone intending to get pregnant should test not only for HIV, but also for other infectious agents like Hepatitis C, (HCV.) There are more things than HIV to take into account before engaging in any risk activity.
Every drug addict should seek treatment whenever possible and NEVER share needles with anyone. People in this group are at the highest risk for HIV and HCV infection, (as well as the many other health risks associated with this kind of drug use.)
A person may fear being judged or even rejected. They may not want to disappoint their partner by insisting on condom use every time, but they owe it to themselves to do so. We all need to stay safe and keep those we care for safe as well.
# posted by Phillip T. Alden @ 6:19 PM 
