So we had an eight page paper due on diseases that usually accompany HIV. I researched toxoplasmosis, and I found it to be very interesting. It is considered a parasite that many people have. They don't even know they have it living in their intestines! Sometimes I think I may have this parasite, because they can live in you, and you won't even show symptoms. I used to be very bad when it came to washing vegetables, or being very cautious around raw meat. Whenever I would work around it, I felt pretty invincible. The type of attitude of "a little dirt won't hurt." I also have a cat, and the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis spreads through cats! They* say to be very careful handling cat litter boxes, because the disease is shed in the feces of the cat. There is really no telling if I, being a healthy adult, have the parasite because the immune system will suppress the parasitic symptoms*.
*http://www.cdc.gov/toxoplasmosis/
I also went to the doctor this week for my final injection of Gardasil, a drug used to fight HPV (human papillomavirus). When I went to my doctor, there was a pamphlet about HIV/ AIDS in the exam room. I grabbed it, and took it with me. When the nurse came in to give me the shot, I told her about the big 8 pager we had due. I was pretty much just talking to take my mind off the needle. Which, by the way, hurt very bad. It was like a spring loaded needle, and instead of the hip, I wanted my arm. Ouch.
Anyway, once I got the shot, she told me to wait in the waiting room for 15 minutes before I left, just to make sure I wouldn't have a reaction to the drug. So I went and sat in the waiting room, and had my HIV/ AIDS pamphlet in my hand. On post (army base) the clinics are pretty large, with big open waiting rooms. There were people sitting around me, and I notice someone staring at me. I looked up and this woman was looking at the pamphlet, and then looked up at me. I could only imagine what she was thinking.
Now time for our fun fact of the week!
Did you know?
The University of Sydney has a policy on students with HIV and Hepatitis B. It announces that these students are prohibited from “exposure-prone” activities. Astonishing that a college could shun you from activities you enjoy, as if you’re not going through enough already.
Read the 5 page policy here:
http://www.usyd.edu.au/ab/policies/HIV_HepB.pdf
When taking the test for HIV, I took I felt like I was being stared at too. I thought OMgosh what are these people thinking. I assumed I was being judged by the people and the nurse! Your fact about the University of Sidney is incredible I understand there fear, but these are people. They are just like everyone else just that they are positive for a virus that will claim their life.
ReplyDeleteThe information you gave on taxoplasmosis was very interesting. It is pretty sad though how people judge you when you're getting a HIV test or reading a pamphlet about it. At least you're getting tested and becoming educated on the topic. As far as University of Sydney's policy I believe that they should really consider revising this policy. Prohibiting students from certain activities just hurts them emotionally and mentally. It does not actually help in decreasing the number of HIV cases at all.
ReplyDeleteYou should have asked her what caught her attention. The fact that you were reading a pamphlet on HIV or your age!
ReplyDeleteSo how would the university know they had HIV unless they are required to put it on their health papers. That one I would challenge in court if I were a citizen of that country. Did they detail what they considered to be
"exposure prone?"