Blog #2 - Catching Up

Well, I have been slacking pretty intensely since the semester started.  I have had a lot going on, and now, unfortunately, it is time to start catching up.  This class looks like it is shaping up to be a lot of work, but I think this will be overall beneficial.  I have other on-line classes and I can safely say that I have not really retained any information because all I have to do is take quizzes weekly.  So, I think that this information will stick with me.  I have a hard time believing that this disease will simply disappear, so it is good that I retain this knowledge, because odds are, I will need it in the future.  Just after doing the first assignment and reading the instructions for the second, my whole perspective on HIV/AIDS has changed.  I have not really heard too much about thrush or PCP, and the fact that they are prevalent among people that have HIV/AIDS makes me have a lot of sympathy for them.  I could not imagine what it would be like to have to go about my day while dealing with either of those diseases.  I have added a link of some one's personal testimony of what it was like finding out they were HIV positive.  It is very sad but at the same time inspiring to see the way that they learn to deal with it and face it head on.  The one that I am referring to is labeled "Caring One."  All of them are very moving.

http://www.avert.org/living-with-hiv.htm

Did You Know?

My research topic is about individuals and families that have HIV/AIDS in developing countries.  This week I have decided to do it on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  The statistics are shocking.  "Over 1.3 million people are living with HIV/AIDS.  One hundred thousand people have died of AIDS.  More than 930,000 children have lost one or both parents.  Only 5% receive anti-retroviral treatment that need it." (DRC, 2007) Those are by far some of the worst that I have seen thus far.  I cannot imagine how the country is dealing with not only the disease, but all of the orphans.  I cannot imagine what it must be like for the children who have lost their parents to this disease.  A lot could be done if the people could just receive some of the medication.  It is a very overwhelming situation.  Here is a video of one man that represents more than a million that does is not receiving the necessary medication. 

I have also attached a video that shows just how helpful the medicine is.  It is amazing to see the transformation in 90 days.

If you have some free-time I would recommend that you look into it yourself, and the ways that you can help.  A simple sacrifice on our part could go a long way in a developing nation.

Sources:

HIV/AIDS in the democratic republic of Congo (DRC). (2007). Retrieved January 26, 2011, from http://hub.witness.org/en/TakeActionNow

Blog #1 - And So It Begins...

When you think of HIV and AIDS as a disease that is literally devastating mankind, unable to be cured or even controlled, it makes me realize that I am pretty selfish.  The only thoughts that I have about being in this class is that it is going to be way more difficult than it should be.  I was hoping for an easy class that was going to boost my GPA, but I now realize that this is going to require diligent work.  However, by the end of the class I hope to have a new respect for HIV/AIDS.  I want to be constantly aware of what it is doing to millions of people, and be actively doing things that contribute to the battle against it.  I no longer want to be one of the people that are indifferent because it does not directly affect them.  I want to always remember that there is a disease in the world that is constantly destroying families, and that any amount from help is worthwhile.   Ultimately, I just want to get to the point where the constant need in the world, whether it is HIV/AIDS or  poverty, will disturb me to the point that I can look past my wants and needs and realize that there is a bigger picture and that I can do something about it.  I am intrigued by the challenge and hope that by the end of the class I will not doubt that the time I invested was well worth the knowledge I gained.

Did you know?

For my "Did You Know" section I decided to research the effects of HIV/AIDS on individuals and families in developing countries.  I chose this because I have an interest in eventually going to developing countries to conduct medical missions, and I know that HIV/AIDS is definitely something that I will run into and have to deal with.  

http://www.compassion.com/aids_orphan/ 


This week I am going to look specifically at the country of Haiti, and how HIV/AIDS are affecting the citizens in that nation.  It is estimated that 120,000 people in Haiti are living with HIV/AIDS, and an overall adult (15-49) prevalence of 1.9%, as of 2009(Caribbean HIV/AIDS statistics, 2001).  In 2009, approximately 7,100 people were killed by AIDS(Caribbean HIV/AIDS statistics, 2001).  The Caribbean has the second highest prevalence rates among adults, second only to Sub-Saharan Africa(Caribbean HIV/AIDS statistics, 2001).  Antiretroviral drugs are now being administered but only reach about 43% of adults that are in need(Caribbean HIV/AIDS statistics, 2001).  


Bibliography: 

Web: Caribbean HIV/AIDS statistics. (2001). HIV and AIDS Statistics. Retrieved Janruary 19, 2011, from http://www.avert.org/caribbean.htm