I hope everyone is having a good week so far. The question of the week for this week was another really challenging one. When I talked to my parents about the situation, they were so shocked and confused - they did not know what to answer. My sister, although, was very determined that she would not take the kidney mainly because she would not want to risk my health.
I work in a pharmacy and while I was at work today, I just found out that one of our customers is HIV positive. He is a Latino male in his 30s and I would have never imagined that he would have HIV. He looks very muscular and healthy and I found out from the pharmacist that he has been coming to the pharmacy for atleast the last 3 years that he can remember. But today, I looked at HIV from a different perspective as I was typing up his prescriptions. There were so many thoughts that ran through my mind like how did he react when he first found out or the pain that he goes through or how he has to keep up with all kinds of medications. I am glad that I am taking this class because it has definitely helped me to open up and think about it.
Did You Know..........
In the state of Illinois, there are approximately 30% women who go to labor and delivery not knowing their status of HIV. According to the Illinois department of Healthcare and Family Services, 25% of pregnant HIV positive women will transmit the virus into their infant if there is no appropriate therapy given.
Also, the Illinois Perinatal HIV Prevention Act requires all women to be tested for HIV as early as possible in their pregnancy and also offered counseling.
http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/mch/perinatal_hiv.html
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I know what you mean about your customer. I work in a laboratory and I see people all day from all ages, nationalities, and economical statuses who you would never guess had HIV or AIDS. Most of them don't look sick and some of them are guys I would be interested in if I were single. It is crazy right. I read an article that pregnant women can take medication to prevent or decrease the spend of HIV to their unborn children. If they take the medication they can reuduce the chances to 2%.
ReplyDeleteThats interesting that you had a run in with HIV lately. HIV has yet to take a known stance in my life, I hope to keep it that way. I was also surprised to learn that HIV positive people seem to be able to live a normal life while on antivirals. Its comforting to know that there is hope out there, although a cure may be years away. I understand where your coming from when you say this class is opening your mind to the subject, I feel the same way.
ReplyDeleteNice to see that there are other states that counsel pregnant women to get tested and offer the drugs to them should they test positive. It has prevented so many maternal transmissions from happening.
ReplyDeleteAustin, you have met HIV positive people and probably don't know it.