5th Annual Man Up Event
Men and boys event this June 14 at the Gifford Youth Activity Center. Free breakfast, lunch, and testing! Wow! Are we ever excited for our 5th Annual Man-up event this summer! Don't miss this event. It's a community favorite.
"HIV" and "cured" in the same sentence
Photo credit: Alma Miller
This article was released the second day of this new year, 2014. I can't think of a better way to kick of this new year than discussing advances in HIV/AIDS research. The article highlights two patients thought to previously have been cured of the HIV virus, that have now relapsed. Reports insist two things: it's a disappointment for those patients who relapsed, but a huge advancement for HIV research. Sharon Lewin, an HIV expert at Monash University in Australia said,
"We've learnt many things here - and one of the most important is that a tiny, tiny amount of virus can get the whole thing going again. It's a clear message that we need better ways to pick up the virus."
The article goes on to remind us that 20 years ago, we would never have even dared to put "HIV" and "cured" in the same sentence. My heart goes out to those Boston patients who relapsed. We have not found a cure, and it may seem to some that we've hit a wall when we discover something that does not work in research. However, knowing what does not work, allows researchers to focus on new strategies. I can't help but remain incredibly excited to see the advances that will be made just this year in HIV research. Let's never give up hope.
-Happy New Year from the HIV/AIDS Awareness Network Team!
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)
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
 |
| via |
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.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)