Positive Inspiration
I had never met anyone with Hiv untill i was 28.like most of my peers i thought it wasnt my problem and just a disease that affected stupid people... HOW WRONG I WAS!! Untill i met D. now not only did D. teach me that HIV was a something that could affect anybody but it was something that shouldnt change the way you view somebody because of their status. I know most have heard this but i just want to say I wish more people were like D. living for the day and inspiring others. God bless him and all those affected in what ever way, we will get thru this and it will unite all. P.S there will be a magnificent Australian film released at the end of 2005 and it involves everything i have just said. I wish i could disclose more at this stage... keep watching this space.
Posted by: Nick, 10 May 2005
thank you for the research you are doing, i have a boss who is HIV positive and she is very happy,eat well and has hope to leave upto 80yrs she is only 40! so i think people should not give up,having AIDS is not the end of the world! i have lost RELATIVES to AIDS,BUT IT was coz they agve up all hope to leave, kwebihasarah@yahoo.com, am here to join in the struggle against AIDS
Posted by: kwebiha sarah, 14 April 2004
Responding to PEP Talk (Vol. 3 No. 2)
New data is available that confirms that PEP doesn't lead to more risky sex - see release of findings from a study conducted in San Francisco and published in the March 25th edition of the journal AIDS. The investigators concluded that PEP: including both antiretroviral medication and risk-reduction counselling should be routinely considered for all individuals following a potential high-risk sexual exposure. ”The most substantial concern about PEP for non-occupational exposures is whether its availability will encourage high-risk behaviour and repeated demands for PEP”: but this study: “dispels this concern and demonstrates that most individuals do not experience sexual behaviour disinhibition after receipt of PEP that includes both antiretroviral medication and risk-reduction counselling.” The investigators conclude: “we believe that PEP: comprising both antiretroviral medication and risk reduction counselling: should be routinely considered following high-risk sexual exposures.”http://www.aidsmap.com/news/newsdisplay2.asp?newsId=2644
Posted by John Godwin (AFAO Policy Officer). February 2004
Coinfection
I have been co-infected with hiv and hcv for 20 and 30 years respectively. Though my infections occurred via contaminated blood products: I have always maintained it isn't how you got it that matters: as we all suffer the same. I would like to introduce a school-based education program on prevention: targeting teens before (hopefully) they become sexually active. Personal stories: delivered in person: have a far greater impact than any written material or scary add campaign. This would not only educate on prevention but also assist in breaking down fear and discrimination that still exists today. We have come such a long way: lets not slip back now.
Posted by: Neil from vic
HIV notifications in Victoria
I read with interest the recent article in Issue 3. 1 entitled HIV ON THE RISE. I felt compelled to respond to some of the responses from the Victorian authorities: being from Melbourne myself. Firstly Luke Atkin continually uses the term 'infections'. It must be pointed out that all figures quoted for any given period are in fact notifications. Obviously the person being diagnosed on a given day could have been carrying the virus for some years previously: hence the figures always assume the individual has just been infected. As testing is in fact voluntary: it is up to the individual when he/she so desires and for whatever reason. In fact about 50% of all diagnoses in any period are from those who have never before been tested! Which brings me to the more interesting figure. In 1993: 62:000 individuals were tested: of which 236 were diagnosed as Positive about 0.376%. However in 2001: a total of nearly 122:000 tests were taken: nearly twice as many! But: only 218 tested positive about 0.178%. This is obviously quite a reducation in the diagnoses over this period looking at it from a testing point of view. So: whilst individuals come forward to be tested each year: the notification rates will continue to climb gradually thereby giving a distorted picture of the true state of affairs. I hope this sheds some light on the concerns expressed by the contributors to your recent issue.
Posted by: Brian Butcher: researcher. December 2003
Sex workers as educators
Loved the last issue of HIV Australia (Vol. 3. No. 1). Really appreciated seeing somepeer sex worker contentfrom SERENA MAWULISA and KENN ROBINSON: it makes such a difference to us as sex workers to see some positive things said about the good work we do.
Posted by: Saul, December 2003
Response to David Menadue's "Positive" (Vol. 3. No. 1)
Dear David: I'm James and live in Adelaide. I am 60 years old and H.I.V. Positive (diagnosed in mid 1990: but apparently had the virus since about 1985) I have just finished reading your book "POSITIVE": which I thoroughly enjoyed for many reasons. I nearly died in 1996 with Chronic diarrhoea brought about by an ulcerative colitis: and my Gay Doctor saved my life with his special care and attention while I wasted away in Calvary Hospice to 57 kilo's: until the miracle of the new anti- virals took effect and the diarrhoea finally subsided. Thank so much for writing the book and I particularly loved Part 2 dealing with some of the Gay History in Melbourne in the 60 and 70's. We used to frequent the Gay Pub and every Friday night it used to be back to our place in Darling Street: South Yarra when the Pub closed at 10.00pm for a wild party... Cheers Mate: and take care: and hopefully we catch up one day. Bye James x x x
Posted by: James
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