HIV & Climate Change...

 

I don't normally find articles about how climate change impacts HIV.  This piece is the best I've seen so far.  At this point, I've seen nothing stating climate change directly alters the virus, that could change.  However, the change in temperature & other weather patterns could impact the ability to maintain the infrastructure needed to manage HIV treatment & outreach.  That's true for medical establishments & individuals.  

I'll leave most of the detail to the piece, give it a read.  Climate change is real, it has been happening for decades, it is altering everything in daily life & for some that includes their fight against HIV.

That's all for now, take care.

Cya... 

Not So Dormant...

 

There have been a few pieces lately like this article refuting the alleged dormancy of HIV+ people on regimens.  Even if the meds are working & the numbers are undetectable, it doesn't mean the virus is inactive.  While not as active, the virus is still impacting the immune system even when suppressed.  That can lead to inflammation & other health consequences for those living with HIV.  

This has been a concern.  Just how inert does the virus become while dormant?  Apparently not enough not to do harm.  While this may not impact whether of not the person can pass on the virus, it could affect their health.

That's all for now.  We actually made it through a day without issues yesterday.  We're hoping for a repeat.  Maybe we can get on a roll.  Take care.

Cya...

Impact...

 

I've seen several  pieces about the impact COVID  is having on HIV.  Originally, they were worried about  people living with the virus would handle COVID.  That appears to have been more of a concern than it needed to be.

However, these  pieces have noted impact in other areas, primarily testing & treatment.   Due to the conditions that occurred during the pandemic, many weren't able to  be tested, see doctors, make  regular  appointments & some found obtaining the medications difficult.  Exact  numbers  weren't mentioned in these articles.  Those numbers may never be fully known.  

Due to these & other factors, the impact of this pandemic make take  years  to decades to overcome.  Even with numbers going down, the threat of  another surge is  always possible.  Even after COVID isn't a nightly news item, the scars it left will be very evident.

Cya...

Not All The Same...

An issue for people living with chronic illness, is that no 2 are the same.  I can  have a day where I feel relatively good, then another where I don't.  I can have stretches where life is hard & I don't feel up to doing anything.  I really never know until it's happening exactly how I'll feel at any given moment.

People living with chronic, often "invisible" illnesses other than HIV, are most likely having just as varied days.  Varied for themselves.  Different from others with the same illness.

I can't stand it when people say having HIV won't have that big of an impact on your life.   That's a lie.  Even if your health doesn't bottom out.  Even if you don't face stigma.  Even if you evade every other aspect HIV, there will be those you don't.  The financial part alone is massive.   Just because HIV hasn't affected your life "significantly" yet, just wait.  HIV is forever & it can wait.  You have no idea how things will pan out later.

My life with HIV is not like someone's who was diagnosed & treated earlier than me.  It's not like someone who started with better doctors, more aware of the virus than I did.  It's not the same as someone who started on modern meds instead of some of the dinosaurs I had in the beginning.   My life isn't theirs.  They may have better resources, react differently to meds, have more support, the list goes on.

No 2 people living with any chronic illness will live the same life.  Each will be filled with different choices, options, reactions, downfalls...  I hope all those living well with HIV can continue to do so, but that wasn't my reality.   I wish the best for them, but that doesn't mean they weren't affected, it just means they haven't accepted that part or understood it yet.  They will & that will be a hard day for them.

Take care.

Cya...

Smoking & HIV...

This article details how smoking can amplify & even double some risk in HIV patients.  Some of the possibilities are cancer & death.  Most of you have probably heard something like this in other articles.

This is a good article. I think you should probably quit smoking for your own well being, especially your wallet's well being.  But, the point here is something else.  

Smoking is just 1 factor that can impact the health of + people.  There are others such as weight issues, previously existing  health matters or lifestyle choices.  Excess drinking, hard partying, sleep deprivation can all impact your health & especially if you're chronically ill or on certain medications. 

With HIV, you have to evaluate every aspect of your life.  Is this or that helping or harming my treatment regimen/health?  Is this symptom part of HIV, the meds, something else or all the above? 

You have to get to know your state of well being.  What will & will not impact you & in what manner if it  does.  HIV isn't alone in this situation.  People with diabetes & those who suffer from many other chronic illnesses have to worry about this as well.  

Again, this article is important on it's own, but its just a reminder that when you have HIV, everything counts.  Anything can affect your health.  Your health is your responsibility.  Its up to you to protect yourself.

Cya...

Ripples...

For those of you who might wonder what impact you have on the world around you, I've got a point to make.  Not to get all, It's A Wonderful Life, on you here, but our presence & actions do affect those  around us.  I've been writing my blog for about 18 months.   During this time, I've convinced myself I can be consistently committed to something.  

During my 1st year, I suggested to my roomie that she start blogging.  She did & has been for nearly as long as I have.   Her take on the matter is here.  

The point is that since I started blogging, I influenced someone else to do the same.  She eventually came to the same conclusion I did, she could be committed to something she choose to be dedicated to.  From our dedication to these blogs we have both found enough drive to start exercising.   We are both starting to lose weight & become healthier people.  It isn't a quick process, but it is an ongoing process.  One that we probably never would've considered engaging in if not for our blogs.

Recently, we've both been trying to find more of our own voice again.  Particularly in regards to our writing.   We've both entered a flash fiction contest, here.  Her's is The Secret Pocket & mine is entitled Tea Party.  Take a look if you'd like.  You might even enter it yourself.

The point is when I started blogging, I didn't think it would lead to me exercising or entering writing contests.  I really didn't expect it to lead to someone else doing the same.  And I have no way of knowing what impact my blogging has had on others directly or otherwise.  Whenever you doubt your impact on the world, stop & realize the impact may be subtle & unseen by your eyes, but that doesn't mean it isn't tremendous to someone else.

Cya...