Thriving with HIV

For many years I have been thankful for the opportunity to work with the POZ community. I have worked with individuals and groups of men who were recently diagnosed as well as members of the community who were were living with HIV for over 15 years. I was invited to speak at a recent event where I talked about the fact that people are no longer SURVIVING with HIV but THRIVING with HIV.

Here are some perspectives to keep in mind to help anyone move from merely surviving to thriving:

What Is The Next Era Of HIV Prevention?

HIV prevention has had two previous "eras" of prevention. When HIV/AIDS first broke, the primary message was "don’t get HIV or you’ll die." This era was before the time of effective medication (pre-1996). Once the field discovered some basic medications, the second era of HIV started where prevention attempts had an implicit assumption that we would be able to eradicate the spread of HIV.

Choosing Survival

"Swimming With The Polar Bears" was not the feel-good-save-the-planet pitch I expected to see as part of a recent Earth Day celebration. In fact the one-man show written and performed by Mel England, was anything but light and airy. It was instead a story about survival.

England, a twenty-year HIV and AIDS veteran, recently overcame a battle with cancer where he was faced yet again to fight for his right to live.

UN Chief Warns Against Cutting AIDS Funding

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned governments Tuesday against using the economic crisis as an excuse to cut funding for fighting AIDS at a time when there are nearly five new HIV infections for every two people put on treatment.

He called for "bold action" not only to increase funding but also to break down social barriers to achieve the goal set by world leaders in 2006 of universal access to comprehensive HIV prevention services, treatment, care and support by 2010.

"How Much Can I Take Before Getting HIV?"

I heard but can't find anything online that there is a certain amount of foreign cells a person can take before they acquire HIV. How many antigens/foreign cells can a gay man take from different HIV-negative partners before they get HIV? Can I just have sex with multiple gay men as long as I want as long as I make sure they're HIV negative? I have been with two HIV-negative guys  so I would be HIV - right? Or is it forming in my body right now since I presume I have two foreign cells in my body but not HIV antibodies. 

On A POZitive Note: The Medical Maelstrom

Choosing a health care plan is frustrating. Choosing one when you’ve just been diagnosed HIV positive and haven’t had health insurance for over ten years is scary. For instance I bet you didn't know that if you've had more than a three-month break in coverage, most insurance companies have a mandatory 12 month coverage block on all “pre-existing conditions” and being diagnosed HIV positive, or having cancer, or even diabetes falls under the heading of “pre-existing.” 

“Well, just don’t tell them” said a friend, but they have ways of finding out - like requesting medical records from doctors - so you can’t hide the facts. 

Who And What Are You To Believe About HIV?

"I have had three partners die as a result of the HIV virus since the mid 80’s and I am still negative.  I was the bottom in all three relationships and did not use protection. I lived in a rural town in Idaho that didn’t have much knowledge of stuff back then.

I moved to LA with one of my partners and finally got him on AZT. The doctor wanted me on it even though I tested negative as he thought it was a false negative?  So I was on it a year but made me so ill I stopped it.  Even though I still test negative I have different conditions that are usually related to it, like Pneumocystis pneumonia, thrush and other. 

My question is what I am to think about if I am really negative or positive?  I was told about ten years ago in a clinic in Seattle that I can not be infected since I did not get it with all I have done, but to use protection anyway. Who and what am I to believe and what do I tell my partners?"

Scientists Now Trying To Outflank HIV/AIDS Virus

Like a general whose direct attacks aren't working, scientists are now trying to outflank the HIV/AIDS virus.

Unsuccessful at developing vaccines that the cause the body's natural immune system to battle the virus, researchers are testing inserting a gene into the muscle that can cause it to produce protective antibodies against HIV.

On A POZitive Note : "Undetectable" - The New Catch Phrase

Is it worth it to live on HIV meds even when you’re healthy without them?

To pill-pop or not to pill-pop, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the nightmarish dreams that come with a once-a-day dose of ATRIPLA, or take arms against the constant fear that your T-cells aren’t high enough to combat Swine Flu?

Glaxo and Pfizer Create New HIV Drug Company

Pharmaceutical giants GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Pfizer Inc. will pool resources to create a new company to develop and sell HIV medicines, leveraging a small investment into the No. 2 market position.

The deal, announced Thursday, reflects two trends sweeping the industry. Companies are narrowing their research areas and cutting costs to improve productivity, and once-ardent competitors are working together to share the risks and costs of developing drugs.