National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS 2013


(via)
National Week of PRAYER
for the HEALING of AIDS
THEME: “HEALING OUR COMMUNITY”

March 05– 07th, 2013 at 7:00 PM
  
                                
           Order of Presentations to come forth during the week are as follows:                           


   ** Tuesday, March 5th, Pastor Jimmie Hill, Salt of the Earth Ministries, Gifford, FL.

                                                                                                                
    ** Wednesday, March 6th,  Pastor  Hattie P. Hagan, New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, Oslo, FL.
                                                                                                               
                            
    **Thursday, March 7th, Pastor Bennie Rhyant -Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Gifford, FL
                                                                                                              

Please note that all Indian River County Services will be held at:
SALT OF THE EARTH MINISTRIES, REV. JIMMIE HILL, PASTOR
Address:
4560 N US Hwy 1, Gifford, Florida (just north of 45th St traffic light)   

“PASS THE MESSAGE…NOT THE DESEASE.”
Healing Process Begins with YOU!

Any questions on the event or for additional details, please call (772) 794-7477


Common Questions on HIV: Part 2

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Welcome back to our common questions on HIV forum. If you missed reading out on Part 1, you can click here to recap. Here are more common questions that I hear on a regular basis as an HIV educator and tester that are featured below. As mentioned last time, we do not hold back the truth. We get tastefully graphic if necessary to make sure you understand the risks surrounding HIV. Here at the HIV/AIDS Awareness Network we believe the best tool we can give to people is education, so you have the tools to empower yourself and others to protect yourself from HIV. The theme for this week's Q and A is Testing.

Only prostitutes and drug users are at risk for contracting HIV, right?

 Wrong. Anyone who has unprotected sex is at risk of contracting HIV. It's so important to be aware of your own status and your partner's status and to get tested for HIV on a regular basis.

I had sex last night and the condom broke. He told me he has HIV. I'm terrified I might now have HIV. Can the test tell you as early as the next day?

Unfortunately, no. There is what's called a "window period" with any HIV test. This "window period" is the amount of time it takes for the HIV virus to become detectable in your body- usually a minimum of 3 months. If you are worried, you can still get tested for HIV that next day. However, to know whether or not you might have contracted HIV from your partner last night, you need to be tested again for HIV 3 months from that date and again in 6 months.

Who is more at risk for HIV, men or women?

 That is a loaded question and I will answer that will a politically correct answer. If you recall the 4 body fluids that can transmit HIV (blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk), then the most important part is to take into consideration male and female anatomy and different types of sex. Let's quickly review the different types of sex- anal sex, vaginal sex, and oral sex. Anal sex is the most risky type of sex because there is usually broken blood vessels and blood exchange involved. Whoever is the receptor partner of anal sex or vaginal sex or oral sex for that matter is more at risk than the "inserter".
You can read more about this topic by clicking here.

How often should I get tested for HIV?

It depends. If you are in a committed, monogamous relationship where you and your partner have discussed testing, have possible gone and got tested together, and you yourself have opted for regular testing in the past, then 1x per year is a good idea. If you have regular protected sex with multiple partners, assuming you are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and have used a condom properly every time, you can opt for testing every 6 months. However, if you have regular unprotected sex, you should opt for testing every 3 months.

 What are my options for getting tested for HIV?

 Depending on where you live in the world, your options will vary. If you live in the United States near  a major metropolitan area, you most likely have access to a county health department which will have HIV testing available. Depending on that clinic or health department's funding, all the following options may or may not be available. With that being said, here are the options most widely available for getting tested in the United States. They are ranked by accuracy:

HIV Blood test- a sample of blood is taken from your arm and sent off to a lab for processing. Average 2 week wait time to get results. Any unprotected exposures through sex or sharing needles or exposure of risky body fluids in the last 3 months, should warrant a test again in 3 months.

 20 minute HIV rapid test- finger prick is done on by a certified HIV tester and counselor. Results are available in 20 minutes. Any unprotected exposures through sex or sharing needles or exposure of risky body fluids in the last 3 months, should warrant a test again in 3 months.

Oral Swab HIV test- oral mouth swab is swiped by the person getting tested for 2 minutes in their oral cavity. Oral swab is then collected from the patient and sent off to the lab. Average 2 week wait time to get results. Any unprotected exposures through sex or sharing needles or exposure of risky body fluids in the last 3 months, should warrant a test again in 3 months. **Not widely used anymore due to superior accuracy of other testing available.**


Have a question? Email us! irchiv@gmail.com We would love to answer it, or find the answer for you, and post it up here on the blog. All questions will remain anonymous. Your name or email will never be published. More "Common Questions" to come.....

Dont' stop using condoms


HIV increase in gay men caused by fall in condom use

CondomsA modest increase in unprotected sex is enough to erode the benefits of other interventions, researchers said


They found a 26% rise, from 1990-2010, in the proportion of

 men who have sex with men who did not use condoms.

Rates of HIV have been rising in recent years with latest figures showing cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the UK reaching an all-time high.
Overall, one in 20 MSM are infected with HIV.
For this study, researchers analysed data from 1990 to 2010. They concluded that, without the introduction of anti-retroviral drugs to treat those with HIV, infections would be 68% higher in MSM.
Therapy with anti-retrovirals lowers the risk of people with HIV infecting others.
The report suggested the incidence of HIV could be 32% lower if all anti-retroviral treatment were prescribed from the moment of diagnosis rather than when health declined.
Informed choices

Further analysis showed that, if all MSM had stopped using condoms from 2000, rates of HIV in this group would now be 400% higher, the journal PLoS One reported.
The data also showed that the incidence of HIV could have dropped by a quarter if more HIV testing had been done.
But the researchers said the results showed that even a modest increase in unprotected sex was enough to erode the benefits of other interventions.
Study leader Professor Andrew Phillips, from University College London, said: "By better understanding the driving forces behind the trends we've seen in the past, it will allow us to make informed choices to reduce new HIV infections in the future."
Co-author Dr Valerie Delpech, who is head of HIV surveillance at the HPA, said: "Everyone should use a condom when having sex with new or casual partners, until all partners have had a sexual health screen.
"We also encourage men who have sex with men to get an HIV and STI screen at least annually, and every three months if having condomless sex with new or casual partners - and clinicians to take every opportunity to recommend HIV testing to this group."
Sir Nick Partridge, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said condom use by gay men had played a key part in containing the spread of HIV in the UK.
"Without it, there would have been 80,000 more gay men with HIV between 2000 and 2010."
He added that the study showed the impact of the combined HIV strategy of promoting condoms, increasing regular HIV testing and encouraging the earlier use of anti-HIV drug therapy.
He added: "At a time when funding for local HIV prevention programmes is under threat, this only reinforces the important role which local authorities can and must play in funding local HIV prevention."

Common Questions on HIV: Part 1

Ok so let's get down to the nitty gritty here. Let's get real with talking about the basics of HIV and AIDS. We will start with HIV. Here are the most common questions I've gotten in the field, young and old alike....

What exactly is it?

HIV stands for Human Immuno-deficiency virus. It's a virus that only affects humans. You can only get it from another human being and it can only be passed between human beings. You cannot get/give HIV to/from animals. There is no vaccine and no cure (at the moment).

How do you get it?

 You can be exposed to HIV when any of your mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, vaginal opening, tip of penis, anal opening) or any openings/cuts in your body are exposed to the following fluids of another human being- male or female:

  • blood
  • male sexual fluids (semen)
  • female sexual fluids (vaginal fluids)
  • breast milk


What do I have to do to avoid it altogether. Or tell me who to avoid. I don't want to get it.

 The only way to avoid contracting HIV is by never having sex, ever. Never having a blood transfusion at any point in your life, never working near or with blood or bodily fluids that can transmit HIV, and quite frankly never being born. I quite honestly hate this question when I get asked it, no offense to anyone who has asked it or ever will ask it. It's a perfectly understandable question to ask about HIV. It's more important to understand how you can get it, so you can make your own life decisions on how to avoid it, or better protect yourself from the virus. Being careful to remain abstinent until you are ready to start making good decisions on whom you have sex with, is extremely important. When you do decide to start having sex, using condoms every time is smart.

Do condoms really protect me?

Yes. Condoms work when used properly. They must be put on before any sexual fluids are exchanged- including pre-cum.

Can I get it from a toilet seat?

No. However, if you rub any of your mucous membranes (as listed above) on the surface of the toilet where the 4 body fluids that are capable of transmitting HIV are present, then possibly. No licking toilets.

Can I get it from sharing a toothbrush?

No. not unless there is blood exchanged and that person whom you are sharing said toothbrush has HIV.

I'm married, I'm not at risk. right?

 WRONG. Unfortunately, we have seen a huge increase in HIV rates in the over 40 year old population  and in those who are married, because of this false sense of security within a married relationship. It's always important to be communicating with your partner, and even if you've been married for years, get an HIV test (and full STD screen) every year (males and females). If you do test positive for HIV, you want to catch it as early as possible.

Have a question? Email us! irchiv@gmail.com We would love to answer it, or find the answer for you, and post it up here on the blog. All questions will remain anonymous. Your name or email will never be published. More "Common Questions" to come.....


Reflecting on Marting Luther King Jr.





"We wonder what Dr. King would have thought about the HIV/AIDS epidemic now in its 32nd year and the social injustices that are still intrinsically linked to it, including homophobia, stigma, discrimination, poverty, racism, sexism, lack of access to health care—and sadly more." -by Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, CEO, Gay Men's Health Crisis

Putting together the updates to the Board Member page today on our website got me thinking of the inception of this organization, why they started, when they started, and what we still stand for as an organization after all these years here at the HIV/AIDS Awareness Network. It was started by community members who saw a need, to love, serve, and support a community that was being hit by an epidemic that was bigger than anyone could imagine- even the US government. It affected young and old, married and unmarried, gay and straight. 

This organization was started in response to this lack of response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our community- due to a lack of support altogether. It was named the HIV/AIDS "Awareness" Network because so many people were not aware how they could contract the disease. In addition to this, so many people were not aware that just because you had contracted it did not mean you were a prostitute or a drug addict or a bad person. When this organization first started, it was a support network to educate and address the stigma surrounding the disease. Years later it has now graduated to so much more, offering free HIV testing, referral services, and a positive support group through our local partners here in Indian River County, Florida. The individuals that are part of this organization, have worked tirelessly to educate the community on HIV, advocate against the stigma surrounding this disease, and stand in support with those individuals and families in the community affected by the virus.

 As we remember Martin Luther King Jr. this upcoming weekend, I can't help but remember what he stood for- equality for all. As Dr. King once said, "All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." The Network's core message, "Pass the message, not the disease" reflects the core values of the civil rights movement. Please join us for our community events this month as we continue to uplift humanity. If you are interested in volunteering with the HIV/AIDS Awareness Network, please contact us here. For more information on The National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 9, visit this link. We'd love to have you! 

Have a great weekend everyone!

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day


Our next event is coming up February 9 in Indian River County at the Gifford Youth Activity Center.
Please see event flyer below for more details. Everyone is welcome, come out and join us! 


Doing better on AIDS is not a pipe dream.



DATE: 2 December 2012

SOURCE: New York Times

Experts know how to control the global spread of the AIDS virus. What's missing is enough money and political will to apply proven tactics widely enough to change the course of the epidemic… On Thursday Secretary of State Hillary Clinton unveiled her promised "blueprint" for reaching an "AIDS-free generation" - time when virtually no child is born with the virus that causes AIDS and teenagers have much less risk of becoming infected. It lays out ways for containing the epidemic, like expanding the use of the most effective treatments and prevention methods, and focusing on groups most at risk of infection, like sex workers and people who inject drugs. But it failed to set firm goals for the percentage of people to be provided with treatments or the reduction in disease to be achieved. Nor does it offer a pledge of new money to help afflicted nations carry out the tasks.

Doing better on AIDS is not a pipe dream. In fact, the combined efforts of the American program to combat AIDS abroad, a global health fund based in Geneva, private donors and national governments have substantially slowed transmission of the disease....Still, the number of new infections yearly, while coming down, remains stubbornly high - 2.5 million in 2011. Some 34 million people around the world are infected with the virus. The fight against AIDS has yet to reach what Secretary Clinton calls a "tipping point," at which the annual increase in new patients being treated with AIDS drugs exceeds the number of people newly infected. Until it does, the global epidemic will continue to expand.

The blueprint....suggests that a "robust scale-up" of high-impact prevention programs can put many countries "on the path" toward an AIDS-free generation within the next three to five years. Middle-income countries where AIDS is prevalent have steadily increased their share of the annual total of more than $16 billion spent around the world fighting the disease, but the poorest countries still need help. Governments struggling to revive their economies will be hard pressed to increase money or resources, but this is an investment that the international community cannot put off.



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