HAPPY FATHER's DAY TATAY!

Today is Father's Day.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TATAY!

My Dad has been with me through thick and thin. With him I always feel the Strength, Security & Unconditional Love.

SCENARIO:

I was newly diagnosed with HIV.
Was into Depression
Was Uncertain about Everything
Got Thrown away from my Uncles house
Got Criticized by other relatives

Tatay was with me when I was transferred to an apartment in San Andres, Manila. I really felt alone at that time because my uncle decided not to let me stay in their house due to some UNKNOWN reasons. I felt very sad because at that time I thought the world  was against me and all. But Tatay stayed with me in my apartment. Ate with me, go strolling in the mall with me, watch a movie with me, etc... I was grateful that I did have a father  like him because I couldn't imagine a life without him by my side. He didn't ask me why it happened but instead he showed me (even though he doesn't express it) that everything is gonna be OK.

I hope all the Father's out there would be like my Father.


THANK YOU TATAY!!!





Again this is JaKePositive. BE SAFE! +) 

AIDS right away? Can't we call it HIV first?

Filipino's are fond of making jokes out of almost everything. So the picture above shows a typical Filipino joke widely used today.

As of the moment I still hear a lot of people who use HIV and AIDS interchangeably without knowing the real status of the PLHIV.

So we're back to  HIV 101

HIV and AIDS Definition

what is AIDS? 

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a condition caused by a virus called HIV. This virus attacks the immune system, the body's "security force" that fights off infections. When the immune system breaks down, you lose this protection and can develop many serious, often deadly infections and cancers. These are called "opportunistic infections (OIs)" because they take advantage of the body's weakened defenses. You have heard it said that someone "died of AIDS." This is not entirely accurate, since it is the opportunistic infections that cause death. AIDS is the condition that lets the OIs take hold.

what is HIV? 
HIV is a virus, like the flu or cold. A virus is really nothing but a set of instructions for making new viruses, wrapped up in some fat, protein and sugar. Without living cells, a virus can't do anything—it's like a brain with no body. In order to make more viruses (and to do all of the other nasty things that viruses do), a virus has to infect a cell. HIV mostly infects CD4 cells, also known as T cells, or T-helper cells. These are white blood cells that coordinate the immune system to fight disease, much like the quarterback of a football team. Once inside the cell, HIV starts producing millions of little viruses, which eventually kill the cell and then go out to infect other cells.

AND ONE MORE THING!

ALL PLHIV who are in AIDS Condition are HIV+, But not all HIV+ are in the AIDS Condition.

GET IT?

NOW YOU KNOW!














Review:




What is HIV?





What is AIDS?

 GOOD JOB!

Again this is JaKePositive. BE SAFE! +)

SOURCE: http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/WhatIsAIDS_4994.shtml

HIV ANONYMOUS ILOILO

WHAT IS THE HIV ANONYMOUS PROGRAM?

HIV Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women that offers support to people living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV/AIDS. There are no dues or fees for HA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

There are no strings attached to HA. We are not affiliated with any other organizations. We have no initiation fees or dues, no pledges to sign, no promises to make to anyone. We are not connected with any political, religious, or law enforcement groups, and are under no surveillance at any time. Anyone may join us regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, or lack of religion.

Our primary purpose is to provide a safe environment where members can share their experience, strength and hope with each other in dealing with the effects that HIV has on their lives. In this fellowship, recovery and healing from the devastating effects of an HIV diagnosis can take place. We believe that no HIV positive person should have to deal with this diagnosis alone, in loneliness and isolation. The new comer is the most important person at any meeting, because we can only keep what we have by giving it away.


WHY ARE WE HERE?

We are not here to change you. We are not here to segregate or impose a particular belief system upon you. However, if you want fellowship with other people who are living in balance and harmony with HIV and AIDS, or maybe you feel remorse that you have transmitted HIV to another person, or if you are concerned that your behavior could spread HIV. If you share these feelings, then HIV Anonymous is for you.

HA is a fellowship, inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identity, open to anyone who is affected by HIV. We are a fellowship who meets regularly to help each other deal and cope with the effects of HIV and AIDS on our lives. We are not a group therapy, but a spiritual program that provides a safe environment for working on spiritual, mental and emotional healing from the devastating effects of HIV.

If you want what we have to offer, and are willing to take certain steps, we at HIV Anonymous share a few common goals:

1. We take care of ourselves spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

2. We abstain from high-risk behavior.

3. We accept people as they are and believe that harm reduction is a step in the right direction.

4. We try to carry this message of hope to others.

Our program is one of suggestions -- not of rules. Each member is invited to "take what you like and leave the rest." This means that you are free to use any tools and suggestions from HA that work best for you.

HA is a spiritual program not affiliated with any religious organization. Reference is made in the steps and in meetings to God or a Higher Power. All individuals define this concept for themselves. Many people who speak of a Higher Power simply mean "some power greater than themselves." For example, this power might be the collective experience of the fellowship or meetings. Those of us who came to the program with religious beliefs have found that the twelve steps do not interfere with those beliefs.

There are no requirements for admission to our meetings: anyone who is affected by HIV is welcome.

This Program originated in Manila. I was able to attend one of the HIV Anonymous Program of THE NO DAY BUT TODAY PROJECT by JAKE LOPEZ and I was very interested to bring it here in Iloilo City. This kind of Program would really help our newly diagnosed People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Psychologically, Emotionally, Spiritually and Physically. This Program will have its SOFT LAUNCHING next month (July 2012) and it will be held every Saturday. 

So I am inviting all PLHIV here in Iloilo City, they are very much welcome to join the PROGRAM.

For Questions and Inquiries send me a message @ jakepositive@gmail.com or text me at 09278230300 / 09323298893.

Once Again this is JaKe Positive. BE SAFE! +)

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! +)