HIV / AIDS UNDER REPORTED; INFECTION IS MORE PREVALENT THAN BELIEVED
I’ve gotten myself tested for HIV twice in the last three years. I did so because I have had unprotected sex about five years ago and have been celibate ever since. Why share this information? There are several misconceptions about HIV/AIDS and it seems that Americans living in America just won’t seem to get past myth and hype to learn the truth.
I’m beating this drum again because some new information about AIDS and HIV has hit the news only to be buried quickly under pressure from the Bush Administration (an administration that is the very symbol of government failure). I love my family, my friends, the people in my community, the folks in my world. I need them to know the truth so I share with you this:
In a report by Miriam Falco of CNN, titled “CDC: More Americans HIV-positive than previously believed” are some of the following statistics; "About 56,000 people became infected with HIV in the past year, which translates to about 40 percent more cases than officials had estimated, said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention."
"Previous CDC estimates suggested about 40,000 new people were infected each year. But those estimates used 'limited data and less precise methods,' said the center, which is now using technology capable of determining when someone was infected. The new method can indicate whether someone has been infected with HIV during the previous five months, rather than relying on statistical models. Diagnosis of HIV can occur years after infection, said Dr. Fenton."
“The fact that 56,000 Americans each year are contracting HIV for the first time is a wake-up call for all of us in the U.S.," Fenton said. “These numbers are a scathing indictment of how profoundly U.S. and CDC HIV prevention efforts have failed," said Michael Weinstein, president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which calls itself "the nation's largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care."
In the United States, more than 1 million people are living with HIV, and about one-fourth of them are unaware they have the virus, the CDC said. According to the report, 53 percent of new HIV infections occur in homosexual or bisexual men. African-Americans account for 45 percent, or 25,000 new cases annually, meaning they are seven times more likely to contract HIV than whites.
The report went on to say, “Since the mid-1990s, antiretroviral therapies have turned HIV and AIDS into more of a chronic illness rather than a death sentence. Until a vaccine is developed, getting infected people on antiretrovirals as early as possible would improve their long-term outcome.
The new data is scheduled for publication in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Medical Association. The report's release is meant to coincide with the opening Sunday of the the biannual International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, Mexico.” (From Miriam Falco, CNN)
You must get tested! If you or someone your having sex with ever had unprotected sex for the last five to seven years you need to get tested! Not knowing you might have HIV/AIDS is dangerous to you and those you love. Not getting tested for HIV/AIDS is as stupid as playing Russian Roulette with a fully loaded revolver. Your Doctor should have oral testing kits for HIV /AIDS, if not, find a Doctor that does.
Go to http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/ . To reference the CNN report go to http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/08/02/hiv.cdc/index.html#cnnSTCText
In a report by Miriam Falco of CNN, titled “CDC: More Americans HIV-positive than previously believed” are some of the following statistics; "About 56,000 people became infected with HIV in the past year, which translates to about 40 percent more cases than officials had estimated, said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention."
"Previous CDC estimates suggested about 40,000 new people were infected each year. But those estimates used 'limited data and less precise methods,' said the center, which is now using technology capable of determining when someone was infected. The new method can indicate whether someone has been infected with HIV during the previous five months, rather than relying on statistical models. Diagnosis of HIV can occur years after infection, said Dr. Fenton."
“The fact that 56,000 Americans each year are contracting HIV for the first time is a wake-up call for all of us in the U.S.," Fenton said. “These numbers are a scathing indictment of how profoundly U.S. and CDC HIV prevention efforts have failed," said Michael Weinstein, president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which calls itself "the nation's largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care."
In the United States, more than 1 million people are living with HIV, and about one-fourth of them are unaware they have the virus, the CDC said. According to the report, 53 percent of new HIV infections occur in homosexual or bisexual men. African-Americans account for 45 percent, or 25,000 new cases annually, meaning they are seven times more likely to contract HIV than whites.
The report went on to say, “Since the mid-1990s, antiretroviral therapies have turned HIV and AIDS into more of a chronic illness rather than a death sentence. Until a vaccine is developed, getting infected people on antiretrovirals as early as possible would improve their long-term outcome.
The new data is scheduled for publication in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Medical Association. The report's release is meant to coincide with the opening Sunday of the the biannual International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, Mexico.” (From Miriam Falco, CNN)
You must get tested! If you or someone your having sex with ever had unprotected sex for the last five to seven years you need to get tested! Not knowing you might have HIV/AIDS is dangerous to you and those you love. Not getting tested for HIV/AIDS is as stupid as playing Russian Roulette with a fully loaded revolver. Your Doctor should have oral testing kits for HIV /AIDS, if not, find a Doctor that does.
Go to http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/ . To reference the CNN report go to http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/08/02/hiv.cdc/index.html#cnnSTCText
GET TESTED NOW!
RJ
1 comment:
Well, whether your a self seeking righteous one, a panty chaser who'll screw what he can get or an apparent (or closet) racist, HIV/AIDS can get to you despite your own vigilance or sexual hygene.
In a world where even the EBOLA Virus is one airplane ride away, we all need to get ourselves checked regularly.
It would be pity to have you be a victim of your own ignorance, for which there is no vaccine.
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