How much do you know about HIV?

Published on November 30, 2004 By Phoenixboi In Blogging

SO JU user Ive been blogging on here now since May this year. I've shared a little of my life about living with this virus. Is there anything you want to know? Is there anything your curious about? What experiences have you had when it comes to do with HIV?

Comments (Page 2)

Phoenixboi

on Dec 01, 2004

Id like to know the average life span after diagnosis now, compared to what it used to be....

Well I think the average lifespan now is different for different countries.. I guess in Africa where there is little to no treatment the lifespan is low. But in western cultures where the meds are available the lifespan is the same as those of healthy people.. they can keep us alive longer now.. if you arent resistant to the drugs. But I think it is all based on individual stuff. I have had this now for 15 ys. I was told I had 6months to live when I was first diagnosed. It is now considered a managable disease.

your views on the best way to stop the spread of it,

Other than education... hmm that is a hard one cause there is so much that people are still not aware of about it's spread. Ill have to think about that one LW..

Why? Because we convince ourselves these things happen "to other people," but wont happen to us. How can we overcome that?

Well we all think we are invincible and it happens to everyone else but us. Im an example of that.

trina_p

on Dec 01, 2004

They were going to do a segment on Sunrise this morning about an Australian who had developed this Gel for (I can't remember if it was prevention or cure or maybe just treatment) AIDS (or HiV)
unfortunately their website doesn't have any information as yet and I think I missed the actual segment because I don't remember it.

Gee I'm helpful today -- What you're doing here is a good thing PB

Phoenixboi

on Dec 01, 2004

an Australian who had developed this Gel for (I can't remember if it was prevention or cure or maybe just treatment) AIDS (or HiV)

havent heard about it?? would be interesting.
Thanks Trina.

dharmagrl

on Dec 01, 2004

I know that people in this country know how to stop it but aren't doing what it takes to not get infected.....

Link

That makes me sad....

MarcieMoo

on Dec 01, 2004

It doesn't make me sad that people are ignorant about it...because its all over the media. It's all over in school. People know how to not get HIV/AIDS...but they choose to do those things regardless of the facts.

HIV/AIDS isn't about blood transfusions anymore, you know? It's about bad choices. I guess as someone who isn't going to choose to participate in behaviors that could put me at risk for HIV/AIDS, it bothers me that we spend so much money on research for a cure, when its usually (not always, mind you...I do understand that) irresponsible behavior that leads to contracting the disease.

I'm not saying that I don't value human life, because I do. I guess I think its sad that people die for just one bad choice, and there's no second chances when it comes to HIV.

I guess I've never known anyone personally who had the disease either...I think I'd be mad at them at first...but then...know that what he/she really needs is all the support they can get. I can't imagine having to live with it every day...

Phoenix...I think you're a brave, insightful man...I don't know if I could do it.

MarcieMoo

on Dec 01, 2004

Oh...I thought of a question...

How compromised is your immune system, Phoenix...(hope that's not too personal)? Do you get ill more often than you used to? What changes do you notice?

I have absolutely no clue...lol

island_gurl12

on Dec 01, 2004

Phoenix i really do think you will do a great job educating people, look at all the questions!!! C'mon time to get to work

xoxox

Phoenixboi

on Dec 02, 2004

How compromised is your immune system

Well thanks Marcie for the questions!

In a healthy individual the T cells or the cells that provide immunity are over 500.. in my case the last count was 260 that was after being sick and going to hospital and restarting medication after a short break. The highest they have been for me is 480 and the lowest is 17. My immune system is compromised. Funnily enough I was always a sick kid. But since having HIV I have had less colds and flu. I've asked about that and my dr has told me that because of the compromised immunity my immune system is working on that which is more threatening to it at the moment which is the HIV. As my immunity improves then apparently I will notice more colds and stuff that I have not had for a while.

Saying that I have to really watch myself and not put myself in situations where I can get sick. A cold could be lethal and an infection can render me in hospital, as I recently found myself.

What changes do you notice?

The changes I have noticed the most is fatigue, and mostly side effects from the medication that I am taking. Sometimes it is worse than having the disease itself.

Phoenixboi

on Dec 02, 2004

Another point that I want to make is sure we know how not to get infected but in some countries it is taboo to wear protection or to even think about it. That is a sad fact about this disease. The education that we have in the west is not always relevant or accepted in other countries.

MarcieMoo

on Dec 02, 2004

I hope you don't think I was rude by saying what I said...

And I do realize that lots of non-western countries have no idea what is even making them sick...and how they got sick.

But...I just think that in most places, there is no excuse!

Phoenixboi

on Dec 02, 2004

Reply By: Marcie HelenPosted: Thursday, December 02, 2004I hope you don't think I was rude by saying what I said

No not at all!

I just think that in most places, there is no excuse!

Yeah I think so too.. I have chatted to a few people who have recently found out that they are hiv.. it only takes once.. and I know some of my friends even though they know the dangers and risks still put themselves in danger.. what can you say to them?

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