Responsibility...

 

I have an unpopular belief about HIV transmission.   Unless you contracted HIV during acts against your will or knowledge, you bear culpability for your situation.  There are articles about HIV+ people who infected partners.  If these partners were adult & willing, then it's on them as well.   

This morning I saw a piece about how a + man infected a swingers group.  Come on, really?  Swinging in these times?  Were these people were engaging in sex parties without protection, PReP, on site testing or verification of a recent negative HIV test?

1st, it was wrong morally, ethically & likely legally for this man not to disclose his status.  If you aren't adult enough to be up front about your HIV status & do what you can do prevent transmission, you aren't mature enough for sexual activity with others.  Simply put, you're not fit for company.

It was also the responsibility of the other attendants at this gathering to insure their own safety.  It doesn't seem like they did.   If you go into a situation playing a risky game, don't be surprised if you lose.  Was the + man wrong?  Yes.  Were the others also wrong?  Yes.  It's been decades, we know the HIV game.  If you choose to bend the rules, that's on you.

That's all for now, stay warm & take care.

Cya...

ER HIV...

 

A a good place for HIV testing is an ER, ED or Trauma Center.  This brief piece is about using hospitals emergency departments to boost HIV testing.  This has been a topic for over a decade & still needs addressing.  

I was tested many times before I was diagnosed.  It was the late 90s & they were free places, so I don't know why I didn't test + before.  I was sick for a long time before I went to the ER.  There the test came back, HIV+.  Other than the ER, the only other option  in my area would've been the Health Department.   

Without the ER, I wouldn't have found out my status.  I'd been tested & trusted the previous results.  I hadn't been sexually active in between.  Either my last test was too soon to detect the virus or it was a false reading.   Either way, without the ER, I may have died before knowing.

Give this a read.  Take care.

Cya...

Community...

 

Because of a mobile childhood & familial situation,  I was never good at the community thing.  I can be very social.  It's how I survived.  I thrived around bar folks & all the various acquaintances I had there.  At least before most of them dropped over from various issues like AIDS & OD'ing.  But for the most part these people & places were just diversions from everyday life.  Some of them were very nice & considerate people, but most were just background noise to get me through the moments.

Usually when I've had community in my life, it's been due to some conditions or qualities I shared with other people.  Being gay or being a college student, hell even being HIV+ isn't enough to form a community or real relationship with someone.

I guess the closest I got to a community was back when I was still actively gaming & going to Cons.  We shared more than a location, we had common interests.  Sometimes extremely opposing POVs, but on shared passions.  It was nice.  But time passed & people went separate ways.

Sharing a arbitrary trait, having the same illness, or having a trauma in common, may gives you grounds to meet & converse.  But, it's not enough to form a community or relationship.  I'd rather not have a community than be in a situation where the only commonality I have with others is my sexual orientation, disease, location, etc...   That would just wind up feeling desperate & fake.  Then I'd feel worse than before it all started.

I hope you find what you're looking for, but a community has to be about more than being Gay, HIV+, trans, or some other arbitrary quality you happen to share with others.

Take care.

Cya...

No, But Yes...

 

Slightly busy morning, we need to 1st of the month stuff underway.  I didn't notice any articles this morning, so this is going to be an opinion matter.  People say HIV is no longer a death sentence & shouldn't be criminalized or have a person required  to  reveal  their status.  

Let's be clear, I don't anyone should be charged simply for being HIV+.  Onto my issues with this matter.  As for HIV no longer being a death sentence.   How 1st world of you.  If you can get the resources;  medical treatment, meds, food, housing, etc...  HIV probably won't kill you.  There's a lot places where none of those things are givens.

Again, back to HIV not being a death sentence.   It most certainly was to the life the person was living before they knew they were HIV+.  They will never be the same.  They will never live that same life again.  It's gone, it was replaced with a life of being + &  taking meds, seeing doctors, facing stigma, etc...

Finally, as for not revealing your status.  If you have sex with someone & you didn't  reveal pertinent info  about yourself, like being HIV+, that was a non-consensual encounter.  By not revealing that knowledge, you robbed that person of being able to give informed consent.  You violated them, their  trust,  their life.  You may not have used force, but you raped them & potentially ruined their life.

HIV shouldn't be criminalized.  But it shouldn't be  legitimized & normalized like it's a common cold.  Any one who feels HIV isn't at least in part a death sentence, is mistaken.  Any one who opts not to inform their partners is a monster.

My opinion on the matter, take care.

Cya...

Better So Far...

 

It's bright this morning & so far nothing's been a problem.  Last night was chilly.  The forecast says those nights are over, but it's said that before.  We don't have much planned other than taking out trash & running some errands.

I've been seeing articles again about people having sex without revealing their HIV status to their partners.  Some states have moved to decriminalize this.  If you aren't mature enough to reveal the reality of your situation to your partner, you probably shouldn't be having sex with other people.

That's about it for now.   Take care.

Cya...

OK Men...

 

This piece is about the gender divide concerning testing & treatment of HIV globally.   This piece by the UN's OCHA, states they had nearly reached their global goals concerning the testing & treatment of women.  

However, that was not the case with men.  When it came to testing & treatment of HIV, the numbers were much worse.  They estimate there's nearly 3/4 million men unaware they're HIV+.  They also estimate there are over a million not  receiving  treatment & nearly a million not virally suppressed. 

Looking at this as a global issue, it becomes very difficult to ascertain the cause of these disparities.  It's an even bigger issue in sorting out how to handle them.    

Until more men get on board with fighting HIV, this fight will never end.  There are a lot of reasons why these men will say they haven't handled this.  I can give them a good reason to handle it, to live.  We are to the point that diseases like HIV should be mandatorily treated globally.  I just have no idea how that would happen.

Cya...

Not Bright...

 

It's not sunshiny, but at least it's not dismal.  It's nice to wake to at least some light.  May is almost over.  Until last year, I had 2 siblings who had birthdays on this date.  My oldest sister & next younger brother.  He died last year.  I wasn't close to them, but still it's a little weird.

Billie Porter said the best thing about celebrities outing themselves  as HIV+.  He said doing it helped him.  I can absolutely accept that.  If his announcement lessened his load in any manner, that's actually pretty awesome.  As long as it's not at others' expense, I'll not fault  people for lightening their burdens. So  cheers to you Mr. Porter, may your road be a little  smoother.

Cya...

Allegation...

 

I saw an article yesterday that I didn't know how to react to it.  I decided to wait.  This morning there were more stories on the subject.  This piece alleges  a Navy veteran was never informed he was HIV+.  He was tested in 1995 as a standard battery of screenings at this time.  

He claims he was never made aware of his status.   The vet had been disabled & used the VA for medical treatment.  He says it wasn't until 2015 he was informed by some doctor asking about his HIV.   It took another 3 years to get a definite diagnosis & start treatment.  

Meanwhile, he developed AIDS.  He would've been HIV+ prior to the 1995 test & that would be 20+ without knowing his status.  He went through a host of HIV related ailments.  Other articles say he was in a long term relationship.  Most likely that person is also + now.  

If this article is true, it's heinous.  But how do you have HIV for nearly 25 years & not know something is seriously wrong with you or just die?  I'm not saying this isn't true, but's very odd.  I'll keep watching this matter.

Cya...

1st August Wednesday...

Not in the best place this morning.   It's a grey morning in August.   I think this Winter is going to suck for me.   It's the 2nd night without the neighbor's light & the neighborhood is pitch black without it.  Some local asshats were causing a lot of noise until late last night.  I wish seriously bad things on them.  Neither my roomie or myself have felt that good in a bit.  I think it's due to the weather changes, light levels & general ick everyone's dealing with since COVID.  

I read an article about a women from Georgia being charged for not revealing her HIV status to her lovers.  A lot of people will scream  she shouldn't have to reveal her status.  I disagree.  IMO, she committed a serious assault on these people.  However,  they should've insisted on condoms.  If you're infectious, you have a responsibility not to infect.  If you're not infected, you have a responsibility to yourself to remain that way.  Neither are difficult concepts.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

PS - The new Blogger layout is ugly & awkward.

More Teen Issues...

Several pieces, including this article, have addressed the lack of testing & status awareness of sexually active, young males (13- 18).  It's estimated somewhere around 15% of all HIV cases go undiagnosed.  It's thought that number could be over 50% in this population.  

This article covers a study of sexually active, young men (MSM).  Less a quarter of had been tested for HIV.  It's likely that would include other STI's as well.  Personally, even though not seen as risky, I'd wish they'd data on straight interactions as well. 

This is a scary number.   There needs to be a way for these kids to get tested without outing them or scaring them away.  If not, HIV will never end.  The reality is teens have sex.  It's not a judgement, it's a fact.  Accept it or more people will contract HIV.

Cya...

Thanks For Nothing...

I'm not a fan of using overtly political sites.  For this, I will.  The 1st article on Vox & the 2nd Washington Examiner.  The Vox article says requiring people who knowingly have HIV to disclose that to potential sex partners is too difficult & damaging.  They feel it only adds to the stigma of being +.  The 2nd piece is opposed & states some 2020 Presidential campaigners as supporting the repeal of such laws.  Pete Buttigieg & Cory Booker have supported the idea of undoing such "hardships."

Giving someone else the option to refuse sex with you because you have a STD, may not be pleasant, but it's the ethical & should remain legal thing to do.  If you have so little respect for your partner, then walk on by.  Having sex with someone while withholding such information, is deceptive.  IMO, it's a violation & should be treated as such.   

The repeal of such laws wouldn't support honest, caring people.  It would only aid callous cowards willing to potentially expose others to HIV.  These aren't noble people experiencing a hardship.  They're barely a step above zombies.   They want sex instead of brains.  Maybe if they used their brains, they'd see how harmful they're being.  It's doubtful, but it could happen.

Cya...

PS - I'll never vote for anyone supporting these repeals.

Talk, Talk...

A few things this morning.  I hope this is the last morning of the Spring I wake up in the lower 30s F.  I'm tired of the cold.   On to non-weather related matters.   (I'm also already over the allergies, grass & yard bugs.)

I've seen several articles dealing with pharma companies making too much profit off of HIV drugs.  Of course they do.   There's no doubt they've punched the cost of those meds as high as they could get away with in the US & other developed countries.  But every time a researcher puts out a statement, big pharma comes crying how we just understand how hard it is to be them.   Yes, it's so hard to understand your utter greed.  No, really it's not.

Conchita Wurst, the winner of Eurovision as come out as HIV+.   The singer didn't do this completely voluntarily.  Her privacy was threatened by an angry ex.   Over the course of several articles, I'm still  not sure if the ex just threatened to out her or was trying to actually blackmail the performer.  Either way a person felt forced to take control of her situation & reveal private information.  Now, no one can ever do this to the singer again.  That's great, but she should've never have been forced to make that choice.  I hope they prosecute her ex.  Just remember, once you let people know your secrets, it's only a matter of time, before others do as well.

We have errands today.  I need to go pay my dentist bill.  I'd do it online, but their site is sort of hinky feeling.  I've had to get enough replacement credit cards already.  I think I'll handle this in person.  Maybe we'll get something nice to eat while we're out.

Cya...

Really & Busy...

OK, a couple of givens.  If you say or reveal something about yourself, you can never unsay it or take it back.  Whatever it was, is now known.  2nd, businesses of all types, especially those online, gather & sale the information of those people who traffic their sites.  Both are givens.  Anyone should understand this.

So, why is it people get so surprised & outraged when something they reveled about themselves online turns up somewhere else?    They should've known this would happen.  I post about my illness. People who read this blog close enough can figure a lot about my life.  I knew that going in.  I accepted that.  If I couldn't have, I shouldn't have started the blog in the 1st place. 

To all you people out there that told Grindr, or whatever other site, your HIV status, what did you expect?    Of course they used that data.  Of course they sold it.   Information is ore, data mining is nothing new.   HIV status is a rarer tidbit, so it was probably worth quite a bit.  You might be upset  Grindr sold personal info, but it was in their user's agreement.  That bunch fine print you were supposed to read before using the site.  This isn't on Grindr, it's on you.  That's why you're so pissed off.  Own it & move on with your life.

Have to get going.  I need a shower & we have bills to pay.  I need to get back soon, my meds are on their way.  I don't want to have to reschedule the delivery.

Cya...

My Pharm...

In Summer of 2017,  2 or more health care providers/pharmacies disclosed the HIV status of 1,000's.  AETNA did & so did my pharmacy, CVS.   The information was exposed due to a faulty design in the envelope.  Correspondence with the client was sent via envelopes with clear windows.  These transparent parts easily allowed for others to discover the HIV status of the letter's intended recipient. 

Was this intentional?  Highly unlikely.   Both agencies are facing litigation. This article discusses how an HIV drug assistance program in Ohio is suing CVS for exposing the status over 6,000.   If these people revealed their status should've been up to them.  Not due to corporate carelessness.   It's no wonder why people don't trust companies.   This wasn't done out of maliciousness.  It was done due to disregard for anything else than efficiency.  It wasn't personal, it was callous, uncaring.  All these companies were concerned with was making it easier on themselves.  Now they're being sued.

Good.  

Health issues are supposed to be private.  We have laws covering these matters.  Let these entities start to respect those laws or let them pay.

Cya..

Still Not Testing...

I've found a brief article today. From it, I took this quote.

Almost 40% of women and more than 50% of men aged 15 to 44 years had never been tested for HIV between 2011 and 2015, according to a report published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.

It's a brief read, but it gets to the point.   A huge number of teens & adults have never been tested for HIV.   In Russian Roulette you start at a 1 in 6 chance of being shot, just over a 16% probability.   Unprotected sex with these people could be up a 1 - 2 chance.  are those the odds you want to play?   Use condoms & get tested.

Cya... 

Aetna Pays...

Last July, the insurer, Aetna, sent out statements to it's patrons in an envelope with a clear window.  Through which a list of the patient's medications could be seen.  This allowed anyone to know what meds the person was taking & they were most likely HIV+.  Aetna's outed these people's HIV status .

According to this piece, the insurer will have have to pay out over 17 million.  This will be the largest award ever for violating laws violating HIV privacy.   Those wronged by this matter won't receive much, but at least the company might learn from this grievance.   This could've been easily avoided with the tiniest bit of oversight on the matter.  Maybe now privacy will be something Aetna takes a little more seriously.

We can only hope.

Cya...

Do You Know...

With World Aids Day on Friday, the question is, "Do you know your HIV status?"  According to this article, the CDC estimates 15% of those infected with the virus don't know it.  It also figures said 15% is responsible for up to 40% of all new cases of HIV in the U.S.  

Read the articles.

Know your status.

Cya...

Utter BS In California...

I'm hating on liberals, democrats & progressives in California.  This article is a continuation of the ongoing pursuit by the state to reduce the offense of knowingly exposing someone to HIV from a felony to a misdemeanor.   It's just waiting on the governor's decision.

Besides making me agree with conservatives & republicans, this is just such utter crap on every level.  There is no justification for having sex with someone without revealing your status.  End of question.  Just done.  

These people may not die if they contract HIV, but their lives will be forever altered by 1 selfish bastard who couldn't be bothered to reveal their status.   This state will more than likely see an uptick in HIV cases.   The health of the society should be considered with more weight than the feelings of an individual.

I might not kill you if you had knowingly infected me.  But, I'd certainly make sure you were maimed.   Maybe if you couldn't walk, you'd be less likely to infect others.   I'd do my very best to make your life not worth living.

Cya...

Do Tell...

For years there's been a debate over whether or not HIV+ people, especially at undetectable levels, should have to disclose their HIV status to sex partners..  Some say forcing + people to do so is violating their freedom of speech & the requirement is damaging to the + person's sense of self.  

SCREW THAT!!!

If you are +, then you should tell any one you may have sex with.  It should be their choice whether or not to move forward, not yours.  To hell with your fear of rejection.  It won't compare to their anxiety as they wait to see if they contracted HIV from some one they thought they could trust.  

Having sex without full disclosure is a violation.  HIV + people who knowingly have sex without revealing their status are aggressors in sexual violation & biological assault.  No wiggle room.

Grow up, disclose or just don't have sex.  Don't give me the undetectable = untransmittable crap.  Even if it holds true, it'll be of little comfort to your victim.

Cya...

2 Articles...

I found 2 articles today.  I won't go into detail on them,  They're fairly straight forward.  The 1st article, states there is basically no hope left for those living with HIV in Venezuela.   The country has been in a horrible situation for years, both socially & economically.   People are dying due to the lack of HIV medications.  Few, if any, meds are available for them.

The 2nd article, is about how the insurer Aetna, exposed the HIV status of thousands via transparent windows in envelopes sent to patients.   Now, anyone who saw those letters may very well know their status.  Many of whom had not disclosed their situations to anyone.

This is life with HIV for some.  I'm fortunate, it's not my life.

Cya...