Friday, March 13, 2009
H 312 Reflection
This class was one of the most interesting classes that I’ve ever taken as OSU. This class provide more than I expect because originally I thought we were going to just learn about AIDS and other STI in a boring way, but Lisa made it more interactive and fun. An item that was covered that I wasn’t expecting is the Tuskegee study. The most useful information is symptoms, treatment and prevention of STIs because now I know how to protect myself from certain STIs. I do not think anything is need of change because everything was interesting and not too hard to follow. I believe this course should be taught at a university level because many students are leaving home for the first time and are most likely unaware of all the dangers that sexual intercourse has to offer.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Hello I am Bob Skinner
What I learned from Bob Skinner about living with an AIDS diagnosis is that life will be hard and seem like it’s not worth living. After listening to how much medicine cost and what could happen if can’t afford the medicine, it just seems that life is almost not worth living. Why prolong the inevitable and suffer and drain your bank accounts at the same time? If you are lucky enough to get your medicine paid for then by all means live life for as long as you can.
Bob’s experience is probably much better than others around the globe. If I remember correct Bob wasn’t projected to live long, but thanks to anti-viral medicine he was able to live a lot longer than his projected date. Many people around the world cannot afford anti-viral medicine or even proper nutrition that Bob Skinner has. Bob Skinner was also very promiscuous and he went through thousands of sex partners. Having that many partners is an experience of a life time and he probably infected hundreds of those thousands his sexual partners.
HIV is transmitted in rural regions via heterosexual intercourse. The main reason is probably due to gender inequality of females. This inequality causes the females to not ask the males to wear condoms when having intercourse. In some cases, women are abused, or even killed if they ask the male to use a condom.
Living in rural regions makes it very hard to treat HIV because of the lack of resources. Usually rural areas consist of poor people that do not have any of health care. When infected, people in rural areas are forced to save up money and travel to big cities where there is health care of some sort. There is also no guarantee that they will get any treatment because anti-viral medication is quite expensive and the chance that someone from a rural region can afford it is not likely.
Bob’s experience is probably much better than others around the globe. If I remember correct Bob wasn’t projected to live long, but thanks to anti-viral medicine he was able to live a lot longer than his projected date. Many people around the world cannot afford anti-viral medicine or even proper nutrition that Bob Skinner has. Bob Skinner was also very promiscuous and he went through thousands of sex partners. Having that many partners is an experience of a life time and he probably infected hundreds of those thousands his sexual partners.
HIV is transmitted in rural regions via heterosexual intercourse. The main reason is probably due to gender inequality of females. This inequality causes the females to not ask the males to wear condoms when having intercourse. In some cases, women are abused, or even killed if they ask the male to use a condom.
Living in rural regions makes it very hard to treat HIV because of the lack of resources. Usually rural areas consist of poor people that do not have any of health care. When infected, people in rural areas are forced to save up money and travel to big cities where there is health care of some sort. There is also no guarantee that they will get any treatment because anti-viral medication is quite expensive and the chance that someone from a rural region can afford it is not likely.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
How HIV Crossed into Humans
Out of all the theories, the two that I think are the most plausible are the “Hunter Theory” and the “Contaminated Needle Theory”. I picked these two theories because I was told of the Hunter Theory when I was little and it is very easy cut yourself when preparing monkeys and getting monkey blood on your cut and I know that sharing needle happened in the past and still happens today.
After comparing these two theories, I believe that the “Hunter Theory” is the most plausible method. It is most plausible because it simple and the most rational theory of the two. Usually hunters will skin and cook their catch because it is part of their hunt. When cutting up the animal it is very possible for something to accidentally cut himself. It doesn’t matter what size of the cut is because if it pierces the skin, then infected blood can easily get in.
It is very important to understand how the virus was transmitted to humans because knowing the origin of the virus will allow us to trace it back to where it first developed. We know that Monkey’s have SIV which is like their version of HIV. How did the Monkey’s get SIV? Did the monkey get SIV infected blood into their system? If they did, whose infected blood was it? Knowing the origin also allows us to isolate a certain region where it first developed.
After comparing these two theories, I believe that the “Hunter Theory” is the most plausible method. It is most plausible because it simple and the most rational theory of the two. Usually hunters will skin and cook their catch because it is part of their hunt. When cutting up the animal it is very possible for something to accidentally cut himself. It doesn’t matter what size of the cut is because if it pierces the skin, then infected blood can easily get in.
It is very important to understand how the virus was transmitted to humans because knowing the origin of the virus will allow us to trace it back to where it first developed. We know that Monkey’s have SIV which is like their version of HIV. How did the Monkey’s get SIV? Did the monkey get SIV infected blood into their system? If they did, whose infected blood was it? Knowing the origin also allows us to isolate a certain region where it first developed.
White Privilege
White Privilege by Peggy McIntosh is an article about racism but explained in a unique way. Peggy’s article talks about racism by masking it with the work “privilege”. In her articles she talks about how the white people privileges are taken for granted and not appreciated. There is also a list of “I Can” statements that specifically refer to white people. From the list there are a few statements that I disagree with. “I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.” This statement isn’t very true anymore because in the work place, it is usually diverse and it is HARD to have employees of the entire same race. Another one that I somewhat disagree with is “I can go into a music shop and count on finding the music of my race presented, into a supermarket and find the staple foods which fit with my cultural traditions, into a hairdresser’s shop and find someone who can cut my hair.”
The only reason I disagree with this one is I am Chinese and if I were to walk into a music shop I most likely wouldn’t find any music of my race. I am sure I can find Chinese food in supermarket because Chinese food has become a big part of the food industry. Privilege affects the spread of HIV/AIDS greatly. In the United States it is a privilege to go to school. By going to school we learn about protecting ourselves from diseases and getting an education.
Getting an education means getting a career with a steady job that keeps you out of poverty. I’ve learned in class that poverty is a big factor is the spread of HIV/AIDS. Yes I think addressing a larger system of oppression is important because it is always good to look at the whole picture. In some cases it is okay to look into smaller system if that smaller system is going to have a huge impact on a larger system. People are always overlooking certain privileges that they get because it is usually handed to them and they have always had it since the day they are born, but not everyone will get the important privileges that other gets and they probably never will.
The only reason I disagree with this one is I am Chinese and if I were to walk into a music shop I most likely wouldn’t find any music of my race. I am sure I can find Chinese food in supermarket because Chinese food has become a big part of the food industry. Privilege affects the spread of HIV/AIDS greatly. In the United States it is a privilege to go to school. By going to school we learn about protecting ourselves from diseases and getting an education.
Getting an education means getting a career with a steady job that keeps you out of poverty. I’ve learned in class that poverty is a big factor is the spread of HIV/AIDS. Yes I think addressing a larger system of oppression is important because it is always good to look at the whole picture. In some cases it is okay to look into smaller system if that smaller system is going to have a huge impact on a larger system. People are always overlooking certain privileges that they get because it is usually handed to them and they have always had it since the day they are born, but not everyone will get the important privileges that other gets and they probably never will.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Week 6, Blog 5: AIDS/HIV
I’ve heard about AID and HIV since I was in elementary school. It is not some new disease that has surface recently but has been around for a long time. AIDS is a disease that is caused by HIV and is currently a pandemic because it affects people worldwide. AIDS/HIV is currently not curable but is very preventable. With safe sex and proper education, people can avoid being affected with AIDS.
In Monday’s video I remember a clip about people in Africa and how much suffering they have to endure due to being affect with AIDS. People who affect with AIDS are looked down upon and treated like a disease infecting host. People fear that they will catch the disease if they associate with infected people so people to hide the fact that they are infected. I remember that one girl who was infected who lost her parents to AIDS was being toss from family to other family because she had AIDS.
In Wednesday video, it talked about how AIDS was first started in homosexual men. When I was a kid I remember hearing something about AIDS came from Monkeys. How it got into humans, were that humans were catching and eating monkeys. When preparing the monkey, a person would accidentally cut themselves and the monkey’s blood would land the on wound and then enter the person’s body. I don’t know if it’s true or not but that’s what I heard when I was a kid.
What surprise me the most is that it seems like getting any STI will increase your chance of getting AIDS/HIV. I honestly didn’t think that AIDS was so linked to all these sexual transmitted infections. As a global topic, I would like to learn about how close they are to finding a cure to AIDS and what people are doing to prevent new cases of AIDS. If not a cure, are there ways to slow down the effects cause by AIDS on people. With AIDS being a pandemic, it will only be matter of time before it affects you unless something drastic is done about AIDS.
In Monday’s video I remember a clip about people in Africa and how much suffering they have to endure due to being affect with AIDS. People who affect with AIDS are looked down upon and treated like a disease infecting host. People fear that they will catch the disease if they associate with infected people so people to hide the fact that they are infected. I remember that one girl who was infected who lost her parents to AIDS was being toss from family to other family because she had AIDS.
In Wednesday video, it talked about how AIDS was first started in homosexual men. When I was a kid I remember hearing something about AIDS came from Monkeys. How it got into humans, were that humans were catching and eating monkeys. When preparing the monkey, a person would accidentally cut themselves and the monkey’s blood would land the on wound and then enter the person’s body. I don’t know if it’s true or not but that’s what I heard when I was a kid.
What surprise me the most is that it seems like getting any STI will increase your chance of getting AIDS/HIV. I honestly didn’t think that AIDS was so linked to all these sexual transmitted infections. As a global topic, I would like to learn about how close they are to finding a cure to AIDS and what people are doing to prevent new cases of AIDS. If not a cure, are there ways to slow down the effects cause by AIDS on people. With AIDS being a pandemic, it will only be matter of time before it affects you unless something drastic is done about AIDS.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Racism and Sexual Transmitted Dieases
I believe that racism has a significant part in spreading sexual transmitted diseases. Racism by definition from dictionary.com is “a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievements.” This can cause a misunderstanding about STD’s and STI because people can assume that the difference between them prevents them from a STI. Racism also usually causes discrimination of a certain group of people which can lead to poverty and poor education. Poverty and education are a huge factor when it comes to sexual transmitted diseases. Luckily, President Obama passed the Lilly Ledbetter Act, which helps fight discrimination at work, but I know it won’t stop all the discrimination at work. Poverty is probably the biggest reason why STDs and STIs are still at large. Why you might ask? It is because they got NO MONEY to get the vaccination. Racism can also lead to stereotyping STIs to certain group, which is stupid and wrong because STIs can be transmitted to any race. I think the being in the USA cause me to have a different perspective than others around the world because by being in the USA I was able to get a proper education about sexual transmitted diseases than other 3rd world countries where they couldn’t afford an education. I can see the same cause within the US because STIs can be transmitted many ways, but the frequency of the diseases is much less in the United States than other countries. Racism is a big factor in spreading STIs and STDs and will always be…….
Thursday, January 29, 2009
CRABZ (Pubic Lice)
This is an advertisement about pubic lice and it states that pubic lice are becoming resistant to chemical applications since 1970s. This advertisement tries to use fear in its message by saying “Did You Know?” in big letters and stating that pubic lice are becoming resistant to chemical applications. I also think the girl kind of looks scary. There might be some false information in this advertisement because I know that pubic lice are just lice in your pubes and lice aren’t very hard to kill. Also as medicine gets more advance, the better it works, but I’m sure there are some cases where pubic lice are hard to kill. From the picture, the age group that this advertisement is aiming for is from guess 18-26 years of age. Advertisements are an effective way of targeting an audience, but the ad is only effective if it’s seen. I happen to stumble upon this ad from Google images. The general advertising and media can play a big role in preventing STIs because every day people see hundreds of advertisements, so if they were to put up more advertisements about STI preventions, eventually the advertisement will stick to them.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Apology to Tuskegee Survivors
The Tuskegee syphilis study was a research project conduct by the American government to observe the natural growth of syphilis in African American men. The study went on for years, and had results, but it was done through trickery and deception. The government told their patients that they were there to cure “bad blood”, and often gave their patients a placebo to trick them to thinking that they were receiving medication. During the treatments, the government doctors just observed and took records of the growth of syphilis on their bodies. The doctors even went as far as spinal injections which is unnecessary and extremely painful. Later on, it was found that the spinal injections cause more harm to their bodies than syphilis!. Eventually the study was noticed and question and stopped.
Many years later, in 1997, President Bill Clinton acknowledge and made a formal apology to the remaining survivors of the Tuskegee syphilis study. Clinton was apologizing because he and the American people both knew that the government had violated the rights and trust of the African American men in the study. In Clinton's speech is he announced several steps to regain the trust that the government broke and so that a project like the Tuskegee study will never happen again. Clinton announced that he will first build a memorial at Tuskegee and the Department of Health and Human services will award grants to the school founded by Booker T. Second he will increase the community involvement to rebuild the trust that was lost. Third, he will commit to strengthen the researchers' training in bioethics. Fourth, Clinton will increase and broaden the understanding of ethical issues and clinical research and finally he will extend the charter of the National Bioethics Advisory Commission to October of 1999.
It seems that an apology to the Tuskegee survivors was needed, but why did the apology happen years after the study was closed? An apology should have been issued the day after the study was closed. Having a late apology can bring back memories long forgotten, but I guess giving an apology is better than not giving one in this situation. I think that building the memorial is a great idea. The memorial symbolizes that the government had made a mistake and is sorry for what it did and it will be there to remind future generations that studies done through trickery and deception is morally wrong and should never happen. Clinton gave an excellent speech, he was able to cover all the important points concerning the issue and made proper amends for the survivors and to make sure this type of study never happens again.
Many years later, in 1997, President Bill Clinton acknowledge and made a formal apology to the remaining survivors of the Tuskegee syphilis study. Clinton was apologizing because he and the American people both knew that the government had violated the rights and trust of the African American men in the study. In Clinton's speech is he announced several steps to regain the trust that the government broke and so that a project like the Tuskegee study will never happen again. Clinton announced that he will first build a memorial at Tuskegee and the Department of Health and Human services will award grants to the school founded by Booker T. Second he will increase the community involvement to rebuild the trust that was lost. Third, he will commit to strengthen the researchers' training in bioethics. Fourth, Clinton will increase and broaden the understanding of ethical issues and clinical research and finally he will extend the charter of the National Bioethics Advisory Commission to October of 1999.
It seems that an apology to the Tuskegee survivors was needed, but why did the apology happen years after the study was closed? An apology should have been issued the day after the study was closed. Having a late apology can bring back memories long forgotten, but I guess giving an apology is better than not giving one in this situation. I think that building the memorial is a great idea. The memorial symbolizes that the government had made a mistake and is sorry for what it did and it will be there to remind future generations that studies done through trickery and deception is morally wrong and should never happen. Clinton gave an excellent speech, he was able to cover all the important points concerning the issue and made proper amends for the survivors and to make sure this type of study never happens again.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis
In the CDC podcast, it talks about the Multidrug-Resistant tuberculosis or MDR TB for short. Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis is tuberculosis that has survived and evolved into a stronger form. Tuberculosis is a disease caused by germs that are spread through the air. Tuberculosis usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect the brain, the kidneys and or the spine.
People should be very concerned with Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis. MDR TB is a man made disease due to improper use of medications. MDR TB has resistance to at least 2 of the best anti-tuberculosis drug such as isoniazid and rifampin which are considered to be first line medications. MDR TB takes up to 2 years to treat and treatment cost more and is more toxic. This is very serious because as we use more dangerous drugs, the side effects could be worse and what if MDR TB evolves again? It might get to the point where the medications are too toxic to be used or don’t even work.
I was tested for Tuberculosis when I was a kid, luckily it was negative. The reason I was referred to be tested for TB was because I had asthma. Since TB affects the lungs, people who have asthma that get TB will be in a bad situation because now they have 2 diseases that affect their breathing. This is a very scary thought, because if TB and asthma hits the person at the same time, there is an increase chance that the person will suffocate to death.
Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis has changed the way diseases are treated in today’s society. It has made treatments to be stricter to the point where people come and watch the patients take their medications. I think this treatment process is a positive and effective approach because this way eliminates the odds of patients taking the wrong dose. Hopefully, with proper treatment diseases such as Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis will be less common and eventually eliminated.
People should be very concerned with Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis. MDR TB is a man made disease due to improper use of medications. MDR TB has resistance to at least 2 of the best anti-tuberculosis drug such as isoniazid and rifampin which are considered to be first line medications. MDR TB takes up to 2 years to treat and treatment cost more and is more toxic. This is very serious because as we use more dangerous drugs, the side effects could be worse and what if MDR TB evolves again? It might get to the point where the medications are too toxic to be used or don’t even work.
I was tested for Tuberculosis when I was a kid, luckily it was negative. The reason I was referred to be tested for TB was because I had asthma. Since TB affects the lungs, people who have asthma that get TB will be in a bad situation because now they have 2 diseases that affect their breathing. This is a very scary thought, because if TB and asthma hits the person at the same time, there is an increase chance that the person will suffocate to death.
Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis has changed the way diseases are treated in today’s society. It has made treatments to be stricter to the point where people come and watch the patients take their medications. I think this treatment process is a positive and effective approach because this way eliminates the odds of patients taking the wrong dose. Hopefully, with proper treatment diseases such as Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis will be less common and eventually eliminated.
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