The JAKE POSITIVE BLOG

ABOUT MYSELF:

Hi I’m Jake.
I'm Gay.
I’m HIV+ and I'm HAPPY!
I was a Pedophile victim when I was a kid.
From that incident came confusion.
I suppressed it, not until College where I started to go out on dates and meet up with other men.
I had unprotected casual sex with some of them.
I never had inhibitions doing it.
Paid my price, I got HIV.
I got diagnosed JUNE 2010 @ Manila Doctor's Hospital.
Got Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) before I got tested.
That prompted me to get tested for HIV.
Having STI does increase your risk to be infected by HIV.
Both of my parents, my two younger brother's, a few relatives and cousins and selected friends know my status.
Being a NURSE living with HIV means only one thing. EVERYBODY is at risk if you don't practice SAFE SEX.
TOP, BOTTOM, VERSATILE, VERSA-BOTTOM, VERSA-TOP? SCREW IT! HIV doesn't have a preference.
If you are NOT RESPONSIBLE then suffer the CONSEQUENCE.

HERE ARE THE FACTS ON HIV:

HIV and AIDS are two different things.

HIV - refers to the VIRUS that destroys the human body's natural defense (immune system) against any disease infection.

AIDS - refers to the STATE or CONDITION when the body manifests signs & symptoms of any disease because its immune system has been made deficient or destroyed by HIV.

In the period immediately after infection has taken place there aren't any specific symptoms. Within two to four weeks after exposure to HIV, a person might have flu-like symptoms such as fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, diarrhea, fatigue or rash. In rare instances they may occur within a few days after the exposure has taken place.

These symptoms usually go away after a week or two. Often, if they occur at all, they're so mild they're hardly noticeable, although for some people they are severe enough to warrant calling a doctor.

It's important to keep in mind these symptoms are almost identical to those of many other illnesses. That's why testing is so important. Very often people who have the symptoms are worrying unnecessarily. Only by taking the HIV test can someone reliably know their HIV status. Everything else is just guessing and HIV is too important and issue to merely guess about.

You can never tell if someone has HIV simply by the way he/she looks, feels or acts.

People infected with HIV usually look and feel healthy and may not know that they had been infected for many years.

Stages of the HIV Disease

Stage I: PRIMARY INFECTION
o lasts for several weeks and may include symptoms such as fever, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), pharyngitis (sore throat), rash, myalgia (muscle pain), malaise, and mouth and esophageal sores
Stage II: ASYMPTOMATIC ILLNESS
o involves few or no symptoms and can last anywhere from two weeks to twenty years or more, depending on the individual.
Stage III: SYMPTOMATIC ILLNESS
o The patient experiences “mild” symptoms such as lack of energy, nights sweats, etc
Stage IV: ADVANCED DISEASES (AIDS)
o The patient experiences opportunistic infections from bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, protozoal, viral and malignant sources that can cause any of the following:
+ Swollen glands
+ Mouth infections
+ Brain infections
+ Skin diseases
+ Lung diseases
+ Loss of weight

The person's HIV status can only be determined through the HIV ANTIBODY TESTING.

HIV is a very fragile type of virus that can never thrive outside the body. But inside a human body, conditions are perfect for the virus to survive and multiply.

IT'S NOT WHO YOU ARE, BUT WHAT YOU DO THAT MAKES YOU VULNERABLE TO HIV. BE RESPONSIBLE | GET TESTED WHEN IN DOUBT.


HIV INFECTION IS VERY PREVENTABLE AND CONTROLLABLE.

THREE MODES OF TRANSMISSION:

1. BLOOD TRANSMISSION - 90-98 %
a. Blood Transfusion
b. Organ Transplant
c. Sharing Used Needles
d. Needle Pricks (injecting needles)

2. SEXUAL TRANSMISSION - Unprotected Penetrative Sexual Intercourse - 1-98% depending on:
a. Frequency (sometimes, often, always)
b. Manner (Anal, Vaginal, Oral)

3. MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION 15-30 %
a. During Pregnancy - 15%
b. Process of Delivery - 20%
c. Through Breastfeeding - 30%

FOUR BODY FLUIDS CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING THE HIV VIRUS:

1. BLOOD
2. BREAST MILK
3. VAGINAL FLUID
4. SEMINAL FLUID

You CAN'T be infected thru SALIVA, TEARS, PERSPIRATION, URINE, STOOLS, etc..
HIV can't be transmitted though CASUAL SOCIAL CONTACT.
There is no reason why we should fear and discriminate PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV (PLHIV).
They have the right to live and are productive members of society if accepted and given due care and support.

WAYS TO PREVENT AND CONTROL HIV INFECTION

A bstinence
B e mutually faithful to uninfected partner
C orrect, Consistent Condom Use)
D on't share used needles/syringes. Don't use drugs, or drink too much alcohol (it can impair your judgment and lower inhibitions)
E ducation , Early detection and Treatment of STI’s

HIV TESTING

HIV Antibody testing is a blood test that will tell us whether a person is infected with HIV. However, it does not directly identify the virus but it measures the antibody produced by the body to fight it.

It takes 3weeks to 3 MONTHS for HIV Antibody to be detected in the blood. This is called the WINDOW PERIOD. A person may transmit HIV during this WINDOW PERIOD without him/her knowing it.

Ideally a person should get tested 3months after the last unprotected sex or any risky situation that might get you infected with the virus.

THERE IS NO CURE FOR HIV BUT IT'S MANAGEABLE IF YOU GOT DIAGNOSED AT AN EARLY STAGE.

HOPE FOR PLHIV - Anti Retro Viral Drugs

Although they cannot totally eradicate HIV. ARV's have dramatically reduced deaths and illnesses, prolonged lives, and improved the quality of life of many PLHIV's. ARV's are now available for FREE. If you are not sure of your HIV status, submit yourself for HIV Antibody Test now. Don't be afraid Early Detection makes a lot of difference. Many support groups are waiting for you.

ONCE YOU DON'T HAVE HIV, YOU'LL NEVER HAVE IT IF YOU TAKE PRECAUTION.

R.A. 8504 (Philippine AIDS Law) states, it is unlawful to discriminate PLHIV's. It's punishable by law (you can be penalized and imprisoned).

YES, I am OK. Alive and Kicking.
LIFE has become more meaningful.
I did have Regret’s . But Regret’s are a thing of the past now and I don’t dwell on it, instead I look forward for a BRIGHTER FUTURE.
It’s not the END of the WORLD for me. It's just a start of a new Beginning..

JOIN ME IN MY ADVOCACY TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND STOP THE SPREAD OF HIV.







Once again I'm JaKe Positive. BE SAFE! +)