CDC Rec...

 

I've never been a big advocate or PrEP over other means of HIV prevention.  However, if taken properly, the regimen is effective.  Adherence is a big "If" here.   Regimen maintenance is not high on a lot of people's list & it can lead to issues in prevention.

It shouldn't be surprising, the CDC is recommending the long acting injectable lencapavir, Yeztugo.  Gilead's med could be a part of a real game changer in prevention strategy.   This article is a clinical abstract on the matter. 

It's a new stance by the agency.  Give the piece a read.  That's all for now.

Cya...

National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day...

Today is National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.   Here are 2 posts on the matter, the CDC's &  HIV.Gov.  Both have information on how HIV affects Gay men  the issues surrounding the point.  Both sites are good sources of info on these & other matters.  

Today's the last trash day of the month.   Just a few other errands for us today.  

Take care.

Cya...

  

Most Down, Others Risk...

 

There've been a lot of generalized reports about HIV cases in the US being on the decline for the past decade.  I'm not interested in the specifics here, just the side notes.  They said too many people aren't on PrEP.  Maybe a lot of people can't be on the med.  Maybe they can't afford or tolerate it.  Is it possible they'd rather rely on a much more affordable & less risky condom?  The CDC sounds like an ad agency for PrEP.

The other point was that even though the overall numbers were down some at risk groups were still higher than average.  By at risk groups they referred mostly to Hispanics & Blacks.  For decades people have fought against HIV.  A lot of effort has been aimed at non-White communities.  What more can people reasonably do?  If these 2 groups don't wish to take care of themselves, what can be done about it.  Maybe educate others these groups are less apt to play safe.  Oops, that probably wouldn't go over well, even if it is fairly accurate.

Cya.

Another Dark Morning...

 

May needs to brighten up.  These dark mornings are  doing me in.  Nothing's going to change today or tomorrow.  There are storms forecast from late this afternoon throughout tomorrow.  They're calling for more flooding.  Sleeping last night seemed colder than it was due to all the moisture.  It looks to get Summery warm most of next week & then drop back down to more seasonal temps.  Oh great more up & downs. 

Here's a link from the CDC.  It's some graphics over HIV numbers for various regions of the US.  It's a little simplistic, but still useful.

Take care.

Cya...

Rebuttal...

It's still raining & dreary as hell.  Let's get to it, shall we?  A couple of days ago I posted over how HIV+ people with good numbers had no additional risk from COVID-19.  Then some idiot from the CDC, (probably someone looking to make a name) provided contradictory information.   

This piece is among the many to refute that statement.   Much of the CDC statement seemed not just aimed at HIV+ people, but also those in the Gay community.  Coronavirus is serious & procuations should be taken.  But, just because you're Gay or happened to be HIV+ doesn't make you more susceptible to COVID-19.  

Be sensible.  Wash your hands.  Keep aware of your environment.  Also, remember Trump slashed CDC staff.  Who know's what's actually left  over there, maybe some pro-trump baboons.  Until we have another administration, it's unlikely we can trust much coming from trumpanized government agencies.  Grain of salt time here folks.

Cya...

Busy CDC...

The CDC has been busy.  I looked for articles & 3 things jumped out at me.  This article urges pharmacists & pharmacies to take a greater role in the fight against HIV.  It's a good article & pharmacies offer more & more services, this might work.

The next piece,  is on the their own site dedicated to getting people to talking about HIV.  Communication & awareness will always be the 1st step in dealing with HIV.  The next site, is the CDC's instagram page dedicated to Start Talking, Stop HIV.

Give them a look.  They could do some good. Take care.

Cya...

Restless...

The last couple of months left our household twitchy.  There's been a lot of upheaval.  Just when one thing settles, something else stirs.  We're lucky if they don't come in multiples.  For now, things seem calm, still yesterday was just tense for some reason.  I didn't feel great & I was anxious through the day.   Nothing happened, but my nerves were still rattled. 

I found this CDC pdf.   It's a 2018 report on HIV in Oklahoma.  The data is fine, however, the entire thing skirted an important issue.  In the part about prevention or even treatment, not once was HIV education & awareness mentioned.   It seems the CDC has completely moved away from anything besides testing, treatment & PrEP.  How typical, lazy, dangerous & expected.  Let's make sure Pharma gets a big pay out.

That's all for now.  Take care,

Cya...

Knowing Is Half The Battle...

This graphic is taken from this article based on the CDC's recent HIV report in the US.  Guess what?  1980's cartoons were right, "Knowing is half the battle" or "Knowledge is Power."   Take your pick.   The point here is simple, the states with the darker colors have higher rates of HIV.  The darkness also corresponds with states that lack of a comprehensive sex education in the school systems.  

The states with educational requirements concerning sex ed & HIV/STD ed had lower rates of transmission. I guess that's just a coincidence.  I'm sure the Southerners will blame on the Gays, drug users & ethnics.

This is just another case where Bible Thumpers & other moral idiots  have damned people to ignorance, disease & death.  Religion & morals have been the drive behind the stigma surrounding HIV & sex.   They're  the reasons these things are so difficult for some people to talk about.  Until we remove the question of morality from the discussion, HIV will continue to flourish.

Thanks ever so much all you holier-than-thou shits.

Cya...

Say What...

OK, no pic today & please go read this article before I get started.  How many ways can I say this is stupid?  It wouldn't matter, because it would never be enough to express how idiotic this approach is.  The CDC has flipped its freaking lid.

So, they're going to focus mostly on metro areas & not rural.  That's going to work so well in the American Southeast.  

They're going to defund prevention programs that focus on keeping people at risk from becoming +.  This will also take out a lot of counseling programs.  

They're shifting the focus from personal responsibility, to making those already + carry the weight of preventing transmissions.  That'll work wonderful for all those + people who haven't got a clue they are +.

This is just ridiculous.  Let's screw the small towns & rural areas yet again.  Let's not focus on keeping people safe, let's just assume the infected one's will do that for us.  To all those at the CDC, you've lost your  damned minds.

Cya...