Thursday, December 01, 2005
HIV/AIDS isn't the Only Deadly Disease!!!
Ok today’s rant was set off by two events. Event one: TV and newspapers proclaiming today AIDS DAY and two an email from a coworker asking for donations for HIV/AIDS charities. Today is national AIDS Day. It makes me angry that as a country and in the world so much has been made of AIDS. There are many other diseases that kill more people that don’t have cure. Diabetes is a disease that kills slowly and painfully its victims. Diabetes is partially preventable but is often due to your genetics. AIDS can be prevented in most cases. There are other serious diseases that aren’t preventable that don’t receive the press, the star treatment or the media that AIDS receives. For example Diabetes is a serious and deadly disease that receives no special recognition, no million-dollar donations to find a cure and no media attention at all. 1.5 million American’s alone will be diagnosed with Diabetes in 2005. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention only between 800,000 and 900,000 people have HIV/AIDS in the USA. It makes me mad that the world makes AIDS into a huge problem and millions of dollars are wasted in research in a problem that is more about choices than with disease.
I admit and understand that AIDS is a deadly disease and is an epidemic. I know that AIDS/HIV is wiping out continents of people. I understand the seriousness. However It is estimated that 21.8 million people have died of AIDS (17.5 million adults and 4.3 million children under 15). AIDS is a tragic killer that since 1984 has been 95% preventable.
I can already hear the moans and groans about my position. No I am not a religious zealot. I am not naïve to the problem. I am not thinking over simplistically. AIDS is preventable if people understand that AIDS is the result of poor choices. Making correct choices will protect you from AIDS. I do understand that we the epidemic as large as it is today that there are those who don’t make poor choices who will still become infected with HIV/AIDS. To understand my reasoning and my beliefs we must know a few facts about AIDS.
WARNING: Some of the following may be rated R or might disgust the most prudent of readers.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV can be transmitted from an infected person to another through:
· Blood (including menstrual blood)
· Semen
· Vaginal secretions
· Breast milk
Activities That Allow HIV Transmission
· Unprotected sexual contact
· Direct blood contact, including injection drug needles, blood transfusions, accidents in health care settings or certain blood products
· Mother to baby (before or during birth, or through breast milk)
Sexual intercourse (vaginal and anal): In the genitals and the rectum, HIV may infect the mucous membranes directly or enter through cuts and sores caused during intercourse (many of which would be unnoticed). Vaginal and anal intercourse is a high-risk practice.
Oral sex (mouth-penis, mouth-vagina): The mouth is an inhospitable environment for HIV (in semen, vaginal fluid or blood), meaning the risk of HIV transmission through the throat, gums, and oral membranes is lower than through vaginal or anal membranes. There are however, documented cases where HIV was transmitted orally, so we can't say that getting HIV-infected semen, vaginal fluid or blood in the mouth is without risk. However, oral sex is considered a low risk practice.
Sharing injection needles: An injection needle can pass blood directly from one person's bloodstream to another. It is a very efficient way to transmit a blood-borne virus. Sharing needles is considered a high-risk practice.
Mother to Child: It is possible for an HIV-infected mother to pass the virus directly before or during birth, or through breast milk. Breast milk contains HIV, and while small amounts of breast milk do not pose significant threat of infection to adults, it is a viable means of transmission to infants.
The following "bodily fluids" are NOT infectious:
· Saliva
· Tears
· Sweat
· Feces
· Urine
http://www.aids.org/info/FAQs.html
What does this mean?
This means that you are more than likely not going to become infected HIV/AIDS by blood products during Healthcare because since 1984 accurate tests have been available to check for HIV in our blood supply. Healthcare workers are still at risk. Healthcare employees maybe exposed because of people not being aware of their HIV/AIDS status and the possibility of accidental blood contamination. Healthcare workers are very well educated to the risks of HIV/AIDS. Sharing needles by drug users is a risk that is preventable. A person chooses to use drugs. It is a life style habit that can be altered to prevent AIDS.
Sexual transmission: this is also a lifestyle choice. Celibacy before marriage, monogamy after marriage will give you the ability to prevent the transmission of AIDS. Again this is a life style choice. It might not be the “in” thing to do but it will prevent you from catching a deadly disease. This argument is always countered as being a religious issue. It might be or it might not be at any point it will lower the transmission of a deadly disease. If you don’t want lung cancer you will likely be successful by not smoking. It’s the same principle. Don’t engage in risky activities and you will dramatically lower your chances of catching AIDS. For some people this is unacceptable solution. The next suggestion is to use a condom but understand that a condom is not a 100% cure. It just raises the odds against becoming infected. This is again a life style choice. It is all cause and effect. If you don’t want to be run over by a car don’t run back and forth across a freeway.
Mother-child infections are a sad by-product of engaging in risky activities. If the mother hadn’t done something to become infected, she wouldn’t be passing along the infection.
There are innocent victims of AIDS but they are far less than many other deadly diseases.
About Diabetes:
Diabetes is the lack of ability to produce insulin in the body or cells in the body become resistant to insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.
There are two types of diabetes.
Type I diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type I diabetes, the body does not produce insulin.
Type II diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause problems:
Diabetes can cause:
Hypoglycemia – Low blood sugar. Low blood sugars can cause black outs, loss of concessness, coma and eventual death if not taken care of.
Hyperglycemia High blood sugar is a major cause of complications
Ketoacidosis- is a serious condition where the body has dangerously high levels of ketones -- or acids that build up in the blood -- and it can lead to diabetic coma (passing out for a long time) or even death.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Kidney Disease
Eye Complications
Diabetic Neuropathy and Nerve Damage
Foot Complications
Skin ComplicationsGastroparesis and Diabetes
Learn more at http://www.diabetes.org
Diabetes is far more rampant in America than HIV/AIDS. Diabetes is caused by genetics and can be induced by lifestyle. HIV/AIDS can be prevented by a life style change Diabetes cannot. Diabetes complications can kill quickly or it can kill you part by part organ by organ.
Diabetes took 20 years to kill my grandfather. I watched as diabetes slowly took his eye site over a few years and left him 100% blind. I watched as Diabetes slowly took his ability to fight infection and lost his toes, his foot, and his legs slowly over 10 years eventually losing both legs. Eventually Diabetes caused other problems included blood clots and strokes. I witnessed a disease destroy a man in his prime through no fault of his own. Yet the World ignores a killer just as lethal as AIDS. I see no Media Frenzy, no Bono Foundation, no Elton John Foundation and in fact Diabetes has no celebrity endorser and Diabetes isn’t the only killer that goes ignored.
Comparing HIV/AIDS to Diabetes
20.8 million people alone in the US-- 7.0% of the population -- have diabetes. 41 million more have pre-diabetes.
36.1 million people world wide (34.7 million adults and 1.4 million children under 15) --have AIDS
Why not change your lifestyle and donate or campaign for other unpreventable diseases?
Ok today’s rant was set off by two events. Event one: TV and newspapers proclaiming today AIDS DAY and two an email from a coworker asking for donations for HIV/AIDS charities. Today is national AIDS Day. It makes me angry that as a country and in the world so much has been made of AIDS. There are many other diseases that kill more people that don’t have cure. Diabetes is a disease that kills slowly and painfully its victims. Diabetes is partially preventable but is often due to your genetics. AIDS can be prevented in most cases. There are other serious diseases that aren’t preventable that don’t receive the press, the star treatment or the media that AIDS receives. For example Diabetes is a serious and deadly disease that receives no special recognition, no million-dollar donations to find a cure and no media attention at all. 1.5 million American’s alone will be diagnosed with Diabetes in 2005. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention only between 800,000 and 900,000 people have HIV/AIDS in the USA. It makes me mad that the world makes AIDS into a huge problem and millions of dollars are wasted in research in a problem that is more about choices than with disease.
I admit and understand that AIDS is a deadly disease and is an epidemic. I know that AIDS/HIV is wiping out continents of people. I understand the seriousness. However It is estimated that 21.8 million people have died of AIDS (17.5 million adults and 4.3 million children under 15). AIDS is a tragic killer that since 1984 has been 95% preventable.
I can already hear the moans and groans about my position. No I am not a religious zealot. I am not naïve to the problem. I am not thinking over simplistically. AIDS is preventable if people understand that AIDS is the result of poor choices. Making correct choices will protect you from AIDS. I do understand that we the epidemic as large as it is today that there are those who don’t make poor choices who will still become infected with HIV/AIDS. To understand my reasoning and my beliefs we must know a few facts about AIDS.
WARNING: Some of the following may be rated R or might disgust the most prudent of readers.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV can be transmitted from an infected person to another through:
· Blood (including menstrual blood)
· Semen
· Vaginal secretions
· Breast milk
Activities That Allow HIV Transmission
· Unprotected sexual contact
· Direct blood contact, including injection drug needles, blood transfusions, accidents in health care settings or certain blood products
· Mother to baby (before or during birth, or through breast milk)
Sexual intercourse (vaginal and anal): In the genitals and the rectum, HIV may infect the mucous membranes directly or enter through cuts and sores caused during intercourse (many of which would be unnoticed). Vaginal and anal intercourse is a high-risk practice.
Oral sex (mouth-penis, mouth-vagina): The mouth is an inhospitable environment for HIV (in semen, vaginal fluid or blood), meaning the risk of HIV transmission through the throat, gums, and oral membranes is lower than through vaginal or anal membranes. There are however, documented cases where HIV was transmitted orally, so we can't say that getting HIV-infected semen, vaginal fluid or blood in the mouth is without risk. However, oral sex is considered a low risk practice.
Sharing injection needles: An injection needle can pass blood directly from one person's bloodstream to another. It is a very efficient way to transmit a blood-borne virus. Sharing needles is considered a high-risk practice.
Mother to Child: It is possible for an HIV-infected mother to pass the virus directly before or during birth, or through breast milk. Breast milk contains HIV, and while small amounts of breast milk do not pose significant threat of infection to adults, it is a viable means of transmission to infants.
The following "bodily fluids" are NOT infectious:
· Saliva
· Tears
· Sweat
· Feces
· Urine
http://www.aids.org/info/FAQs.html
What does this mean?
This means that you are more than likely not going to become infected HIV/AIDS by blood products during Healthcare because since 1984 accurate tests have been available to check for HIV in our blood supply. Healthcare workers are still at risk. Healthcare employees maybe exposed because of people not being aware of their HIV/AIDS status and the possibility of accidental blood contamination. Healthcare workers are very well educated to the risks of HIV/AIDS. Sharing needles by drug users is a risk that is preventable. A person chooses to use drugs. It is a life style habit that can be altered to prevent AIDS.
Sexual transmission: this is also a lifestyle choice. Celibacy before marriage, monogamy after marriage will give you the ability to prevent the transmission of AIDS. Again this is a life style choice. It might not be the “in” thing to do but it will prevent you from catching a deadly disease. This argument is always countered as being a religious issue. It might be or it might not be at any point it will lower the transmission of a deadly disease. If you don’t want lung cancer you will likely be successful by not smoking. It’s the same principle. Don’t engage in risky activities and you will dramatically lower your chances of catching AIDS. For some people this is unacceptable solution. The next suggestion is to use a condom but understand that a condom is not a 100% cure. It just raises the odds against becoming infected. This is again a life style choice. It is all cause and effect. If you don’t want to be run over by a car don’t run back and forth across a freeway.
Mother-child infections are a sad by-product of engaging in risky activities. If the mother hadn’t done something to become infected, she wouldn’t be passing along the infection.
There are innocent victims of AIDS but they are far less than many other deadly diseases.
About Diabetes:
Diabetes is the lack of ability to produce insulin in the body or cells in the body become resistant to insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells.
There are two types of diabetes.
Type I diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type I diabetes, the body does not produce insulin.
Type II diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause problems:
Diabetes can cause:
Hypoglycemia – Low blood sugar. Low blood sugars can cause black outs, loss of concessness, coma and eventual death if not taken care of.
Hyperglycemia High blood sugar is a major cause of complications
Ketoacidosis- is a serious condition where the body has dangerously high levels of ketones -- or acids that build up in the blood -- and it can lead to diabetic coma (passing out for a long time) or even death.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Kidney Disease
Eye Complications
Diabetic Neuropathy and Nerve Damage
Foot Complications
Skin ComplicationsGastroparesis and Diabetes
Learn more at http://www.diabetes.org
Diabetes is far more rampant in America than HIV/AIDS. Diabetes is caused by genetics and can be induced by lifestyle. HIV/AIDS can be prevented by a life style change Diabetes cannot. Diabetes complications can kill quickly or it can kill you part by part organ by organ.
Diabetes took 20 years to kill my grandfather. I watched as diabetes slowly took his eye site over a few years and left him 100% blind. I watched as Diabetes slowly took his ability to fight infection and lost his toes, his foot, and his legs slowly over 10 years eventually losing both legs. Eventually Diabetes caused other problems included blood clots and strokes. I witnessed a disease destroy a man in his prime through no fault of his own. Yet the World ignores a killer just as lethal as AIDS. I see no Media Frenzy, no Bono Foundation, no Elton John Foundation and in fact Diabetes has no celebrity endorser and Diabetes isn’t the only killer that goes ignored.
Comparing HIV/AIDS to Diabetes
20.8 million people alone in the US-- 7.0% of the population -- have diabetes. 41 million more have pre-diabetes.
36.1 million people world wide (34.7 million adults and 1.4 million children under 15) --have AIDS
Why not change your lifestyle and donate or campaign for other unpreventable diseases?
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