Just More Stupid...

 

Since the mid 2010's, there's been news & I've blogged about how economic upheaval, homelessness & IV drug use has caused upticks & outbreaks of HIV in states like Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky & West Virginia.  The biggest problem here is that these states are mostly very conservative. 

They have fought nearly every program to aid with the baseline issues leading to these matters.  But any attempts to assist in jobs, medicaid, housing & especially drug matters have hit brick walls.  This article talks about West Virginia's latest decision to block a clean needle program, even though it was suggested by the CDC.

This is just another example of the stupidity conservatives employ when dealing with people. Somewhere between ⅔ - ¾ of new HIV transmissions in the area for the last few years has been through IV drug usage.  Meaning these transmissions were due to dirty/used needles.  Even with the most basic logic, the people of West Virginia can't get behind a needle programs.  

Just more stupid.

Cya...

On It Goes...

 

Many people act like the fight for Gay issues is over.  Take a look at recent news about attacks on Gay places & you'll see that isn't accurate.  They also act like the fight against HIV is a done deal, it isn't.  

Ever since the times of Mike Pence being governor of Indiana, the block of states; Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky & West Virginia have had a problem with a lingering HIV outbreak.  This piece covers some of that in W. Virginia.

These cases had little to with Gay activity, they were mostly due to IV drug use & needle sharing.   Even with the programs started the problem lingers & conservatives still scream about actions taken to combat these cases.

This is not a pleasant read, but it's a good piece.  Take care.

Cya...

Rising Again...

 

This blip of an article has a link to a podcast/radio broadcast.  Both are over the rising HIV rates in Philadelphia due to IV drug use.  During the pandemic, measures & resources in the fight against HIV have been scaled back to handle COVID.  This has allowed some to fall through the cracks.  There's been a increase in various self-medicating techniques during the pandemic, including IV drug use.  This has lead to a spike in the HIV rates in the area.  

This isn't surprising.  We've heard about a lot of people using less than ideal means to cope with the pandemic; indulgent eating, spending, drinking,   using drugs, etc...  As a society, we weren't ready for something like COVID on any level.  Perhaps the average person was the least prepared for such an event.  Especially, the social, emotional & psychological impacts COVID.

All we can do, is try to reach out & help people put their lives back together however that may be.  That's all for now, take care.

Cya...

Backwards...

  

Indiana is about to take a giant step backwards.  In 2015, Scott County became the epicenter of a massive HIV outbreak due to IV drug use.  In conservative  fashion, then governor Pence opted to shame, ridicule & accuse, but little else.  Eventually, the county started a syringe exchange campaign.  It not only helped get  their HIV cases  under  control, but became  a role model for other  such programs.

In 2021,  the same conservative mentality wants to all but curtail the program.  Even though the baseline issues haven't changed. It this happens, it is not only likely, but anticipated, another surge  in HIV cases will follow.

This isn't just stupid, it shows how horrible these people are.  May every conservative opposing programs like these be treated with the same kindness & mercy.  Republicans want to save  fetuses, but  murder everyone else or least watch then suffer.  This group is nothing but a collection of monsters who delight in the misery of others.

Cya...

5 Years Later...

This article is about Austin, Indiana's emergence from an opioid induced, HIV  outbreak.  I've posted about several rural towns that have faced this & most due to drug usage.  Most of that brought on by a horrible economy.    

In this town of just over 4,000,  235 tested HIV+.   Think about it.  That's the 200+ they know about, roughly 6% of the population.  The last stat I saw for the US was just over 0.3%, a huge difference.  

It's a good article, give it a read.   It details struggles of the townspeople & governmental failure.  Also, an ongoing resistance to doing what's necessary to prevent this from repeating.  Most of that resistance comes from conservatives, both political & religious.  We need to do better.

Cya...

Clusters....

The pic above was from this article.  It goes over HIV clusters, their regions & dangers to the reduction efforts in those areas.  This information is focused on HIV transmitted  by needle use.   The areas in orange accounted for 50% or more of all new viral transmissions in recent years.  It's certain other blood born agents would spread as well, like hepatitis.  

The scary thing is the majority of those places are in the South.  To be specific, Oklahoma & 2 adjoining states are highlighted.  Well, at least Oklahoma's at the top of some list.

Take care & be safe.

Cya...

The Rural Problem...

This article is about addressing rural issues in the fight against HIV.  It used to be an issue of location & availability.  But over the last decade, there has been a shift.  A high risk group has emerged in the heartland & backroads, IV drug users.  A high risk group previously associated with urban areas.

This piece tries to detail the issue.  It says how they think the problem should be addressed.  But, mostly they're dealing with symptoms.  Yes, at this point HIV is just a symptom.  The drug use was a reaction to the loss of these areas' financial viability.  These people are living in dying towns, cities, counties & even states.   HIV regimens aren't going to fix that, nor will they stop the IV drug use.  The viral spread in these areas will continue.   Stop just treating symptoms.

Cya...

Revisit IV HIV Article...

This is going to be brief.  Not feeling this well & this article is a good read.  It goes over the ongoing HIV surge in Kentucky & Ohio. Something that's been happening for several years.   It also give links to other articles over surges in other US cities related to IV drug use, especially heroin.

Cya...

Same Story Different Place...

That could've been the title of yesterday's post.  It's a common theme with HIV.  These incidents with HIV experiences are like shampoo instructions; go through whatever, possibly survive it, don't learn from it, repeat the ordeal.   This time it wasn't with another failed sterilization procedure.  

This article discusses 2 decent sized cities in Massachusetts.  Both have seem an uptick in HIV rates due to IV drug use.  This isn't about sexuality.  This isn't a gay thing. It's about young people reusing needles & contracting illnesses.  

But hey, we have to make it a moral judgement thing, don't we?  Maybe, if people had kept their morals to themselves, we could've been a lot further along in the fight against HIV.  People do love their spectacles & outrage.  The way things are going, if something doesn't change, HIV could actually make a full blown comeback.  Everybody loved the 80s.

Cya...

Different Place, Same Story....

This article is about another place in the US, Beaver County, PA where HIV & other STD's rates are rising.  Again we see reference to lack of testing  & unwillingness to be tested, lack of awareness of HIV risks & a surge in drug use.  Pennsylvania is next to Ohio & West Virginia, states already dealing with an opioid & HIV crisis.  They're adjacent to Indiana & Kentucky.   Next to those is Illinois.   

Most of the Great Lake region states are being impacted by these issues.  We've been hearing about this since VP Pence was still a governor, but precious little is being done about it.  The list of states with an epidemic of HIV/STD outbreaks. TB & HEP clusters & mass opioid use is growing.  Too bad the people in power don't seem to be all that concerned with the issue. 

This new group is adjacent to the problematic southern states that have their own issues with HIV & drug use.  Eventually, the eastern half of the country will be in this zone.  What then?

Cya...

Refusal...

For a few years now, the rise of drug usage in the rural U.S. has been a matter of discussion.  It's especially prevalent in the Midwest & Southeast.   Much of the drug use is IV & there's a lot of reusing & sharing of needles.  This has been & still is driving up the transmission of HIV & other bloodborne diseases.  

Some action was being taken prior to the presidential election.  Since then, much of the activity has fizzled out.  This seems to be directly related with Washington's & most aptly, the President's, refusal to promote any kind of action other than shaming.   Even with states declaring an opioid crisis, the federal government has done little.

Conservatives are concerned with looking hard on drugs. So, they're doing nothing to help with the issue.  Their inaction is accelerating the opioid epidemic & the transmission of dangerous illnesses.  

Maybe the Republican plan is to let all "those" people die of overdoses, HIV, hepatitis, etc...

Cya...

Drugs...

I've discussed drugs & their relationship to HIV.    In this case, IV opiod use & Truvada.  Not necessarily together.   I've mentioned the growing number of HIV cases in rural US & how it's being caused mostly by IV opiod usage.   I've also made my feelings about Truvada or PrEP clear.

This article is 1 of many detailing the FDA's decision to recall the Endo's opiod Opana ER. Too many people are it as an IV street drug.  Increasing HIV cases & deaths via overdose.

This article discusses how the FDA cleared the path for generic  Truvada. This doesn't do anything about my arguments against PrEP, but it does alter things.  This could mean more people could afford the drug. That doesn't come without complications.  It also means the Gilead's pocket book will be hit hard.  Then again this won't go the market for a year or so & Gilead is already pushing the next big thing in PrEP.

Interesting developments.

Cya..

Still Rising...

Over the past few years, we've seen the rise of HIV in states like Ohio, Indiana & Kentucky.   Rural counties in these states saw a boom in HIV rates due to IV drug use & sharing needles.  The problems are still ongoing there.

Over the past few weeks, there've been articles talking about rural counties in other states like Alabama & Texas.   These counties are faced with potential HIV outbreaks due to IV drug use.   These are poor, economically disadvantaged places.  Places with little to no resources to help prevent or deal with HIV. 

The economy is driving people to self medicate.  Drug use is leading to even further risky behaviors.  This is how a non-sex transmitted outbreak of HIV starts.

Still, I wouldn't hold my breath for any government agency intervening.  No, that's not the Republican way.  These outbreaks will most likely happen & the fall out will domino across the poor, rural regions of the US.

Try to be safe & have a good day.

Cya...

Again & Again...

I've been reading articles this morning.  There wasn't a lot in them I hadn't read before.   According to this article, another dentist's failure to follow of sanitation protocol may be spreading HIV at a VA hospital in Wisconsin.  This happened in late October.   Still not much word on the fallout.  It's things like this that lead many to believe the 3rd leading cause of death in the US is medical mistakes & neglect.

There was also a lot on the failure of needle exchange programs at slowing down the spread of HIV in areas with high levels of IV drug use.  It isn't that needle exchange programs don't work, they were implemented so late, the damage was done.  The transmission of HIV is increasing in Whites who use IV drugs.  

That's all for now.  Stay safe.

Cya...

Reactive...

There've been a few articles out about how Indiana has been reactive to it's health situation concerning HIV & its approach to handling the state's drug problems.   This is a very accurate statement.  Indiana is hardly alone in this matter.  Most states, especially those more rural & Republican, have been doing next to nothing or playing catch up since HIV came on the scene in the 1980's.

If Indiana had been more proactive maybe much of it's problems with HIV & drug addiction could've been prevented.   But that would've required adequate education on the matters of sex, HIV/STD's & addiction.    It would've required the state to have done more to remain more financially solvent.   It would've required the citizens of Indiana to get past their on biases & prejudices to prevent this situation.  

Instead, the state like most, wanted to cut corners & point fingers.  It wanted to outcast & shame.    It choose to dumb down it's people instead of educate them.  Indiana did everything possible to cause the situation they found themselves in to occur.   In that way they were proactive. They made the proverbial bed & now they have to get out of it. 

A very important thing here is to remember, choosing to do nothing is an active choice.   There were choices here at many levels that could've prevented this outbreak.  This didn't just happen.

Cya...

Not Good...

I've been reading up on something I heard about.  There's a surge in heroin use in my area.  There've been some major busts in Tulsa & Little Rock.    I-40 runs through both,  it's always been a drug corridor.  Why's this happening?

• There's been a crack down on prescription drug misuse/abuse
• Oklahoma refuses to legalize marijuana
• Oklahoma's economy sucks
• There's no sign of any improvement in the foreseeable future
• Oklahoma republicans are lunatic asshats who support privatized prisons
• Religious folks would rather punish you than help you

What's the probable outcome?

• A lot of people becoming heroin addicts
• A lot of people dying from from overdosing
• A lot of people going to prison
• A lot of families destroyed
• A huge uptick in STD"s, HIV & hepatitis

Way to go Oklahoma politicians. You've succeeded into turning our state into a cesspool that's being compared to 3rd world countries due to our economy, prisons & radicalized religious freaks.  You've led us straight into a pretty much avoidable hell.   Congratulations on your colossal failure.

Cya...

Another Sticky Day...

Shopping wasn't fun this morning.  It was an awful, muggy trudge through the swamp known as Walmart.   It took me almost hour to feel dry afterwards.

There are notices going out to larger cities in the north, especially in Ohio & Indiana.  These 2 states have had a massive spread of HIV in rural areas due to IV drug use.  The use of heroin is on the raise in the cities.  Health officials warned without prevention, especially needle sharing programs, they could face the same fate as these little towns.  As the economy soured, drug use soared causing HIV rates to rocket.

Wherever you are stay comfortable, I'll be looking for a cool spot.

Cya...

Still Spreading...

Throughout the news online for the past few days, there's been discussion of how Ohio may soon be hit by a wave of HIV infections.   Like its neighbor, Indiana, Ohio has been the victim of the economic downturn.   It has been hit hard financially.  When this happens the emotional, social, psychological & spiritual soon begin to suffer as well.  As these wounds compound, people look for solace.

Too often people find comfort in drugs; pain killers, oxy, meth & heroin.  This has already left Ohio with a high number of Hepatitis C cases.  It's likely other communicable diseases such as HIV are soon to follow.

The scary thing, this pattern is almost identical to what happened in Indiana.  Almost every state in the Great Lake region is in a similar situation & could easily go down the same path.  The old industry states have fallen & may never recover.  Look at the Detroit area.    Too much of the US is looking worse off than those countries we title "third world."

These people have been cast aside by the industries they made great.  They aren't falling through the craps, they're being shoved down the drain. They've experienced a rapid shift into the marginal world of being  part of  the fringe population of society.   It's not a pretty place & it's not safe.

Cya...

It Continues...

This article & many others out today are talking about a rural Kentucky area & its Hep C epidemic.   The man in the article has tracked over 500 IV drug users since 2008.  At this time up to a 70% are infected with Hep C.   That's 350 + people with a highly infectious disease.   

This probably could've been handled better with more outreach programs & needle exchange.   But this is a southern state where such things are highly frowned upon.  Remember this is only 200 miles south of the county in Indiana suffering from a huge HIV outbreak.  

The writer realizes its just a matter of time before those drug users also test + for HIV.   Then what?  In these states where prevention is a 4-letter word & akin to devil-worship, these highly communicable & preventable diseases are spreading like wildfire.  Way to go conservatives.  

Many people still think this is the 1980's & things like Hep C & HIV are city-things.   But more & more these viruses are present in fairly removed, rural settings.   Places with high-unemployment, little-to-no public services & a lot of drug users.

What's going to happen here?  I have no idea.  Will these states learn?  Most likely not.  They'll do just enough to get through the danger zone & then go back to business as usual.  

Cya...

HIV & Injection Infection...

This article talks about the possibility of eliminating the spread of HIV & HCV among injection drug users.  This is potentially huge.  However, there are going to be a lot of screams along the way.  Things this will require:

1. Syringe exchanges
2. Pharmacies selling syringes
3. Counseling/Treatment programs for those with drug dependence

The problem there, is all these points will get people to crying fowl.   They'll say the first two will only serve to encourage drug use.   They'll say all three will cost $.  They're right these steps will cost $, but a lot less than treating HIV/HCV.    This is one of those times when we have a relatively easy solution that will probably get blocked by some people's over righteous sense of morality &/or heavy handed politics.

Cya