Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Living With Aids Resource of Information
If you're living with HIV/AIDS and are eligible for Medicaid, there's a new healthcare plan—an HIV Special Needs Plan (SNP) called NewYork-Presbyterian System SelectHealth, one of many HIV SNPs, designed to serve your needs.
You can receive SelectHealth's special care and services if you live in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan or Queens. Your children under the age of 19 can also join the plan and receive their healthcare, even if they do not have HIV or AIDS.
At SelectHealth, their committed to providing the most effective care by offering all the services you may already be receiving with regular Medicaid, and providing new services important to people with HIV/AIDS — what we at SelectHealth call Coordinated Care.
NewYork-Presbyterian System SelectHealth is dedicated to providing you with the kind of care that can help you improve your health and your quality of life.
If you'd like to learn more about SelectHealth, you can talk to your healthcare provider.
Or call:
SelectHealth toll-free at 1-866-469-7774, for TTY/TDD 1-866-265-7306
The New York Medicaid CHOICE
Helpline at 1-800-505-5678, for
TTY/TDD 1-888-329-1541
You can receive SelectHealth's special care and services if you live in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan or Queens. Your children under the age of 19 can also join the plan and receive their healthcare, even if they do not have HIV or AIDS.
At SelectHealth, their committed to providing the most effective care by offering all the services you may already be receiving with regular Medicaid, and providing new services important to people with HIV/AIDS — what we at SelectHealth call Coordinated Care.
NewYork-Presbyterian System SelectHealth is dedicated to providing you with the kind of care that can help you improve your health and your quality of life.
If you'd like to learn more about SelectHealth, you can talk to your healthcare provider.
Or call:
SelectHealth toll-free at 1-866-469-7774, for TTY/TDD 1-866-265-7306
The New York Medicaid CHOICE
Helpline at 1-800-505-5678, for
TTY/TDD 1-888-329-1541
World Aids Day
On December 1, 2010, World Aids Day, The global community is focusing attention on protecting human rights of all people affected by HIV. Health, HIV and human rights are inextricably linked. HIV responses need to ensure that human rights are protected and promoted always....
Monday, December 6, 2010
A POSITIVE LIFE - LIVING WITH HIV- An Interview with Ron Crowder
Ron tested positive in jail back in 1991, he wasn't surprised. Being an injection drug user who was sharing needles, he knew he was at risk. Yet, being diagnosed in a time when AZT was the only medication available, Ron, 57, never lost hope nor has he allowed an AIDS diagnosis to stop him from giving back and educating Nashville's African-American community about HIV
1991 was the dark years, I was actually in jail, and I had some teeth removed. The dental hygienist in the jail dropped one of the instruments and it pricked her leg, so they asked everyone who had saw the dentist that day in jail to take an HIV test. That's how I found out.
What did you know about HIV when you found out?
Actually, not a whole lot. You know, everybody who had HIV was going to lose a whole lot of weight; that was my knowledge of it at the time.
Did you start praying? Did you get religious?
Well, no. I've always been, I grew up in the Church, so my thing was, you know, hey, it is what it is. I knew the risk. I knew I was an injection drug user. So I kind of reserved myself to pretty much prepare myself to die. I just didn't want to die in jail. I had just gotten a new eight-year sentence, so once I found out I was HIV positive I positioned the Court for a suspended sentence, and got it, after only four months into the eight-month sentence. I think they was kind of like, OK. They didn't want to deal with anybody HIV positive at that point.
Could you tell us what you were in jail for?
It was drug possession for resale. Possession.
So you got out of jail, and then what did you do?
Well, I got out of jail, and I started back shooting drugs, for only a very short period of time. And then I went into treatment. "The fact that I knew I was HIV positive and sharing needles; that's what consciously I wanted to clean myself up with. Because I didn't want anyone else to get infected as a result of me sharing needles."
Did you get treatment? Did you get whatever was available?
AZT at that point. Because, at the time, I had heard somebody say, you know, it was better to take something than not to take anything. But I had very, very low knowledge of the disease itself. A year or so later after then I started doing the work. I started educating myself. And that's what made me found the agency. Because there wasn't a whole lot of education, particularly to the people who was becoming infected the way I did -- you know, out on the streets, injecting drugs, or doing all kind of risky behavior. Particularly in communities of color -- we didn't have a lot of education. All we knew, mostly about HIV at that point was, it was gay, white men.
And there was no needle exchange back then.
No.
So what miraculous journey did you take to survive?
Actually, I'm a pretty open person, and I was pretty open with my status from the word go. So I guess it was just an act of God that kept me healthy all these years. Over the years, the people that I did shoot dope with, just about all of them are dead.
Did you do anything different? Did you take vitamins? Did you work out? Did you juice?
Oh, yes. I think that anybody would have given up. I think that the fact that I have been so open. I think the stress of people trying to keep HIV a secret, particularly minorities . . .. Minorities have not done well with the fact of an HIV diagnosis. They don't want anyone to know. They take it to their grave. And I think that is what has helped me, I've always been open, from the word, from the jump, from when I first got the diagnosis, I went public.
What bad things happened to you, as a result of going public?
Nothing. Not to my knowledge. Not a thing.
You don't think people avoid you?
No. No. If they did, they didn't do it in such a way that I was aware of it. So, no. I'm just an open person.
So you think the people who are fearful of telling others, they might not understand what actually happens when you tell people?
What was your CD4 count when you were diagnosed?
Actually, my CD4 count has always been around 500. Always. And it's still around 500 or 600.
You're still very active.
Very active. I work 12, 14 hours every day. Recently married.
Let's talk about that. Tell me how you found love, being HIV positive. Do you find it's a particular challenge?
It wasn't for me. Again, I think people have this notion that your life is going to dramatically change because you're HIV positive. And I don't know if I'm extremely lucky, or I'm extremely unusual, or what. But life has been . . . hey, the same for me. I've always had a girlfriend. I've always just lived life as it comes, you know? And once I tell the female partner that I'm HIV positive, and educate them, it doesn't seem to be an issue.
You're just not afraid to tell people things.
No. And so you meet lots of people. I do. And I think that is what has helped me, that and working. I never even considered going on disability. I never tried it. I've always worked. And I just . . .. Life just kept going as the old one.
It sounds like you've overcome the stigma of HIV. Have you overcome the stigma of being previously incarcerated? Oh, yeah. Absolutely.
Do a lot of people think you're gay?
No. Well, meaning, because of the HIV.
Yeah. No, no. I mean, and that's another misconception about being HIV positive. When I do presentations, the first thing people ask me: How did I get infected? And my question will still be to them: How do you think I got infected? And nobody ever says gay. So, I don't know. I mean, I don't know.
But do you think the source of a lot of the stigma related to HIV, particularly in the African-American community, is the homophobia?
Yes, I do. And the reason: I think that the media didn't do a great job in the beginning. And people are still stuck in that mindset -- what they saw, what they heard, always. I even remember, when I first heard about it, you know, my first thing was, I'm not gay, You know? So I'm not going to get it.
Then, the next thing they came out with: OK, now we're seeing it amongst IV drug users. OK, I had to rethink that then, you know. And I had taken an HIV test before that came back negative. And I was like, oh, God, I got that.
And I went to jail that time, and I had never even thought about it anymore, in between the first time I took the test and the time I was incarcerated.
So you're going to shooting galleries, and you're trying to help people.
I do exactly the work that needed to be done.
For you.
1991 was the dark years, I was actually in jail, and I had some teeth removed. The dental hygienist in the jail dropped one of the instruments and it pricked her leg, so they asked everyone who had saw the dentist that day in jail to take an HIV test. That's how I found out.
What did you know about HIV when you found out?
Actually, not a whole lot. You know, everybody who had HIV was going to lose a whole lot of weight; that was my knowledge of it at the time.
Did you start praying? Did you get religious?
Well, no. I've always been, I grew up in the Church, so my thing was, you know, hey, it is what it is. I knew the risk. I knew I was an injection drug user. So I kind of reserved myself to pretty much prepare myself to die. I just didn't want to die in jail. I had just gotten a new eight-year sentence, so once I found out I was HIV positive I positioned the Court for a suspended sentence, and got it, after only four months into the eight-month sentence. I think they was kind of like, OK. They didn't want to deal with anybody HIV positive at that point.
Could you tell us what you were in jail for?
It was drug possession for resale. Possession.
So you got out of jail, and then what did you do?
Well, I got out of jail, and I started back shooting drugs, for only a very short period of time. And then I went into treatment. "The fact that I knew I was HIV positive and sharing needles; that's what consciously I wanted to clean myself up with. Because I didn't want anyone else to get infected as a result of me sharing needles."
Did you get treatment? Did you get whatever was available?
AZT at that point. Because, at the time, I had heard somebody say, you know, it was better to take something than not to take anything. But I had very, very low knowledge of the disease itself. A year or so later after then I started doing the work. I started educating myself. And that's what made me found the agency. Because there wasn't a whole lot of education, particularly to the people who was becoming infected the way I did -- you know, out on the streets, injecting drugs, or doing all kind of risky behavior. Particularly in communities of color -- we didn't have a lot of education. All we knew, mostly about HIV at that point was, it was gay, white men.
And there was no needle exchange back then.
No.
So what miraculous journey did you take to survive?
Actually, I'm a pretty open person, and I was pretty open with my status from the word go. So I guess it was just an act of God that kept me healthy all these years. Over the years, the people that I did shoot dope with, just about all of them are dead.
"I've taken plenty of vitamins. I used to swim a couple of miles a day. I used to get up and do a thousand push-ups every morning. I've done everything humanly imaginable . . . eat a lot of fruit . . . I've done everything. I've done juices. I've done herbs. I've done everything that I thought would keep me living."
Did you do anything different? Did you take vitamins? Did you work out? Did you juice?
Oh, yes. I think that anybody would have given up. I think that the fact that I have been so open. I think the stress of people trying to keep HIV a secret, particularly minorities . . .. Minorities have not done well with the fact of an HIV diagnosis. They don't want anyone to know. They take it to their grave. And I think that is what has helped me, I've always been open, from the word, from the jump, from when I first got the diagnosis, I went public.
What bad things happened to you, as a result of going public?
Nothing. Not to my knowledge. Not a thing.
You don't think people avoid you?
No. No. If they did, they didn't do it in such a way that I was aware of it. So, no. I'm just an open person.
So you think the people who are fearful of telling others, they might not understand what actually happens when you tell people?
What was your CD4 count when you were diagnosed?
Actually, my CD4 count has always been around 500. Always. And it's still around 500 or 600.
You're still very active.
"I think people have this notion that your life is going to dramatically change because you're HIV positive. And I don't know if I'm extremely lucky, or I'm extremely unusual, or what. But life has been . . . hey, the same for me."
Very active. I work 12, 14 hours every day. Recently married.
Let's talk about that. Tell me how you found love, being HIV positive. Do you find it's a particular challenge?
It wasn't for me. Again, I think people have this notion that your life is going to dramatically change because you're HIV positive. And I don't know if I'm extremely lucky, or I'm extremely unusual, or what. But life has been . . . hey, the same for me. I've always had a girlfriend. I've always just lived life as it comes, you know? And once I tell the female partner that I'm HIV positive, and educate them, it doesn't seem to be an issue.
You're just not afraid to tell people things.
No. And so you meet lots of people. I do. And I think that is what has helped me, that and working. I never even considered going on disability. I never tried it. I've always worked. And I just . . .. Life just kept going as the old one.
It sounds like you've overcome the stigma of HIV. Have you overcome the stigma of being previously incarcerated? Oh, yeah. Absolutely.
"My life is an open book. You know: hey, I'm a drug addict; and hey, I'm HIV positive. So, you know, deal with it."
Do a lot of people think you're gay?
No. Well, meaning, because of the HIV.
Yeah. No, no. I mean, and that's another misconception about being HIV positive. When I do presentations, the first thing people ask me: How did I get infected? And my question will still be to them: How do you think I got infected? And nobody ever says gay. So, I don't know. I mean, I don't know.
But do you think the source of a lot of the stigma related to HIV, particularly in the African-American community, is the homophobia?
Yes, I do. And the reason: I think that the media didn't do a great job in the beginning. And people are still stuck in that mindset -- what they saw, what they heard, always. I even remember, when I first heard about it, you know, my first thing was, I'm not gay, You know? So I'm not going to get it.
Then, the next thing they came out with: OK, now we're seeing it amongst IV drug users. OK, I had to rethink that then, you know. And I had taken an HIV test before that came back negative. And I was like, oh, God, I got that.
And I went to jail that time, and I had never even thought about it anymore, in between the first time I took the test and the time I was incarcerated.
So you're going to shooting galleries, and you're trying to help people.
I do exactly the work that needed to be done.
For you.
"People ask me all the time, 'Why you work so hard? Why you work so much? Take a vacation.' And I say, 'Listen. If I can save one person from becoming HIV infected, that has a ripple effect.' Because if you save one person, you, in fact, save several people."
Your chances of getting run over by an 18-wheeler truck is greater than you dying of HIV. Take care of yourself. Change some of your behaviors. Take good care of yourself. And you probably will live forever."
Hey, this is not a death sentence anymore.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
HIV IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE.....SEE HOW THIS GENTLEMAN LIVES HIS LIVE POSITIVELY
HIV diagnosis is not a death sentence
25 years later I'm still here
November 28th 2009 - Today, I am celebrating an Anniversary. I don't recall the exact day I found out I was infected with HIV, it was sometime in 1984. The day that stands out most for me is November 28th 1985.
On November 28th 1985, I was told by my doctor to inform my family, arrange my finances and funeral, I had six months to live!
Soon after, I left my job, friends and family and moved far away so that no one would see me get sick and die...but I didn't die. Twenty-five years later I'm still here.
The point is that I missed out on so much during those years when I hid my HIV status and lived far away from family and friends. Years, when I could have been close to those I love but instead I lived in isolation.
Years that I could have been close to my father (my mother died when I was young), brothers and sister, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and all my friends. All of whom when I did finally disclose I was HIV+ asked, "Why didn't you tell us? We love you!"
What was I thinking? I was deciding for others; deciding what others could or could not handle, what they could or could not know, instead of letting people make up their own minds!
The truth is that people infected with HIV can and do live normal lives. They go to school, have careers, marry, have children and much more!
Don't waste time worrying about what could or might be. Be present NOW!
Enjoy all life has to offer. Learn about HIV. Learn what you can do to stay healthy!
Fear will undermine every aspect of your life if you let it. Don't let HIV occupy your mind. Don't let HIV take away your JOY for living!
Do everything you love to do and spend time with people who you care about and who really care about you.
I must say that once I decided to no longer be afraid of people finding out I was HIV+ and since coming out about my HIV status...my life has been rich and full!
Yes, there have been health concerns, sickness, HIV/AIDS medications and side effects with HIV affecting every area of my life, but there is so much more that has made my life worth living!
You have one chance in life; make the most of it.
Bradford McIntyre
Thursday, December 2, 2010
What is Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is one of many hepatitis viruses causing inflammation of the liver. Each year 125,000 Americans are infected with HAV. A positive blood test for hepatitis A, called IgM hepatitis A antibody test, indicates that you are infected. Transmission Hepatitis A is spread most often directly from person to person:
· Anal/oral contact, by putting something in the mouth that had been contaminated with infected feces.
· Diaper changing tables, if not cleaned properly or changed after each use, may facilitate the spread of HAV.
Fecal residue may remain on the hands of people changing soiled diapers.
· Fecal contamination of food and water.
· Food handlers who are infected can pass the virus on if they do not wash their hands with soap and water
after having a bowel movement especially when preparing foods that are not cooked afterwards.
· Eating raw or partially cooked shellfish (clams, oysters, or mussels) contaminated with HAV can spread the
virus.
Symptoms
· Children with hepatitis A usually have no symptoms.
· Adults may become quite ill suddenly, experiencing jaundice, fatigue nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark
urine/light stools and fever.
· The incubation period averages 30 days; however, an infected individual can transmit the virus to others as
early as two weeks before symptoms appear.
· Symptoms will disappear over a 3 to 6-month period until complete recovery occurs.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. However, the infection will clear up on its own in a few weeks or months with no serious after effects. Once recovered, an individual is then immune (not infectious) and cannot contract hepatitis A again. However, their blood test will always be positive for hepatitis A. About 1 in 1000 with hepatitis A suffer from a sudden and severe infection (fulminant) that may require a liver transplant.
Prevention
Immune globulin (IG) can provide a temporary immunity to the virus for 2 to 3 months if given prior to exposure to HAV or within 2 weeks after exposure.
Hepatitis A vaccines, are made from inactivated (killed) hepatitis A virus. It is highly effective in preventing the
hepatitis A infection. Check with your doctor to determine how many shots are needed. The vaccine provides
protection two to four weeks after the first injection. A second injection results in long-lasting protection, possibly 20 years or longer. Twinrix, a vaccine that combines hepatitis A and B, may be given to individuals 18 years and over. The vaccine is licensed for persons 2 years of age and older and is recommended for:
· Individuals who have chronic liver disease or clotting factor disorders.
· Those who travel or work in developing countries (this includes all countries except northern and western
Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and North America, except Mexico).
· Men who have sex with other men;
· Users of illicit drugs.
· Children in populations that have repeated epidemics of hepatitis A (Alaska natives, American Indians, and
certain closed religious communities) and states or counties that have consistently elevated rates of hepatitis
A.
· A combined hepatitis A & B vaccine is available for those over 18 years of age.
· Anal/oral contact, by putting something in the mouth that had been contaminated with infected feces.
· Diaper changing tables, if not cleaned properly or changed after each use, may facilitate the spread of HAV.
Fecal residue may remain on the hands of people changing soiled diapers.
· Fecal contamination of food and water.
· Food handlers who are infected can pass the virus on if they do not wash their hands with soap and water
after having a bowel movement especially when preparing foods that are not cooked afterwards.
· Eating raw or partially cooked shellfish (clams, oysters, or mussels) contaminated with HAV can spread the
virus.
Symptoms
· Children with hepatitis A usually have no symptoms.
· Adults may become quite ill suddenly, experiencing jaundice, fatigue nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark
urine/light stools and fever.
· The incubation period averages 30 days; however, an infected individual can transmit the virus to others as
early as two weeks before symptoms appear.
· Symptoms will disappear over a 3 to 6-month period until complete recovery occurs.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. However, the infection will clear up on its own in a few weeks or months with no serious after effects. Once recovered, an individual is then immune (not infectious) and cannot contract hepatitis A again. However, their blood test will always be positive for hepatitis A. About 1 in 1000 with hepatitis A suffer from a sudden and severe infection (fulminant) that may require a liver transplant.
Prevention
Immune globulin (IG) can provide a temporary immunity to the virus for 2 to 3 months if given prior to exposure to HAV or within 2 weeks after exposure.
Hepatitis A vaccines, are made from inactivated (killed) hepatitis A virus. It is highly effective in preventing the
hepatitis A infection. Check with your doctor to determine how many shots are needed. The vaccine provides
protection two to four weeks after the first injection. A second injection results in long-lasting protection, possibly 20 years or longer. Twinrix, a vaccine that combines hepatitis A and B, may be given to individuals 18 years and over. The vaccine is licensed for persons 2 years of age and older and is recommended for:
· Individuals who have chronic liver disease or clotting factor disorders.
· Those who travel or work in developing countries (this includes all countries except northern and western
Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and North America, except Mexico).
· Men who have sex with other men;
· Users of illicit drugs.
· Children in populations that have repeated epidemics of hepatitis A (Alaska natives, American Indians, and
certain closed religious communities) and states or counties that have consistently elevated rates of hepatitis
A.
· A combined hepatitis A & B vaccine is available for those over 18 years of age.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
HIV & AIDS
HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus. You may hear that someone is "HIV infected", "has HIV infection", or "has HIV disease." These are all terms that mean the person has HIV in his or her body and can pass the virus to other people.
HIV attacks the body's immune system. The immune system protects the body from infections and disease, but has no clear way to protect it from HIV. Over time, most people infected with HIV become less able to fight off the germs that we are all exposed to every day. Many of these germs do not usually make a healthy person sick, but they can cause life-threatening infections and cancers in a person whose immune system has been weakened by HIV.
People infected with HIV may have no symptoms for 10 or more years. They may not know they are infected. An HIV test is the only way to find out if you have HIV. See HIV Counseling and Testing for information and resources on HIV testing in New York State.
HIV spreads when infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk gets into the bloodstream of another person through:
•direct entry into a blood vessel;
•mucous linings, such as the vagina, rectum, penis, mouth, eyes, or nose, or
•a break in the skin.
HIV is not spread through saliva (spit).
HIV is spread through:
•Vaginal, anal, or oral sex without using a condom.
•Sharing needles, syringes, or works to inject drugs, vitamins, hormones, steroids, or medicines.
•Women with HIV infection can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding.
•People who are exposed to blood and/or body fluids at work, like health care workers, may be exposed to HIV through needle-sticks or other on-the-job exposures.
It may also be possible to pass HIV through sharing needles for piercing or tattooing.
A person infected with HIV can pass the virus to others during these activities. This is true even if the person:
•has no symptoms of HIV
•has not been diagnosed with AIDS
•is taking HIV medications
•has an "undetectable" viral load
HIV is not spread by casual contact like sneezing, coughing, eating or drinking from common utensils, shaking hands, hugging, or use of restrooms and drinking fountains.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus. You may hear that someone is "HIV infected", "has HIV infection", or "has HIV disease." These are all terms that mean the person has HIV in his or her body and can pass the virus to other people.
HIV attacks the body's immune system. The immune system protects the body from infections and disease, but has no clear way to protect it from HIV. Over time, most people infected with HIV become less able to fight off the germs that we are all exposed to every day. Many of these germs do not usually make a healthy person sick, but they can cause life-threatening infections and cancers in a person whose immune system has been weakened by HIV.
People infected with HIV may have no symptoms for 10 or more years. They may not know they are infected. An HIV test is the only way to find out if you have HIV. See HIV Counseling and Testing for information and resources on HIV testing in New York State.
HIV spreads when infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk gets into the bloodstream of another person through:
•direct entry into a blood vessel;
•mucous linings, such as the vagina, rectum, penis, mouth, eyes, or nose, or
•a break in the skin.
HIV is not spread through saliva (spit).
HIV is spread through:
•Vaginal, anal, or oral sex without using a condom.
•Sharing needles, syringes, or works to inject drugs, vitamins, hormones, steroids, or medicines.
•Women with HIV infection can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding.
•People who are exposed to blood and/or body fluids at work, like health care workers, may be exposed to HIV through needle-sticks or other on-the-job exposures.
It may also be possible to pass HIV through sharing needles for piercing or tattooing.
A person infected with HIV can pass the virus to others during these activities. This is true even if the person:
•has no symptoms of HIV
•has not been diagnosed with AIDS
•is taking HIV medications
•has an "undetectable" viral load
HIV is not spread by casual contact like sneezing, coughing, eating or drinking from common utensils, shaking hands, hugging, or use of restrooms and drinking fountains.
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