Another Small 1....

This article talks about a county of less than 40K in North Carolina.  Scotland County has joined the top 10 for HIV cases.  It's a small county & it's doubtful their coffers are overflowing.  Repeatedly these small areas are being hit with booms in HIV numbers.  I won't be surprised to find out this area has a serious IV drug problem.  It fits the pattern.   

These small places aren't ready or capable of dealing with this level of HIV.  They're not  really capable of with HIV at all.  Most of they lack the funds, know-how, man power or an attitude capable of dealing with this in an appropriate manner.   Another interesting thing about these counties,  is that they're all predominately Conservative Republican.   Chew on that GOP.

So same story, different town.  I doubt this is going to end any time soon.

Cya...

Little Better...

I'm feeling a little better than yesterday, still not great.  It doesn't help pollen levels have soared.  The temps have risen back into the 90's F.   Oh, the electric company is back with more hacking, chipping & spraying.  I hate this time of the year.  Until Halloween, there's nothing good about it.  At least then there'll be candy.  There's at least that to look forward to.  

Cya...

Not Good Morning...

My allergies, people's mowing, the weather, etc... all tag-teamed to make last night miserable for me.   I could barely breath before I went to bed & that was after taking allergy meds.  I woke in the middle of the night several times having trouble breathing & swallowing.  Nasal drip irritated my throat so much it had swollen.   Drinking water was hard.

I'm up & feel like crap.  I've eaten & gargled with salt water.  I feel a little better than this morning.  I'll gargle more throughout the day.  It's about the only thing I can do for my throat.   This sucks & I'm exhausted.

I didn't see anything new in the news, so no articles to cover.  I hope I feel better tomorrow.  I'll post more then.

Cya...

UK Choices,,,

During the last few months I've made some posts over the UK's NHS possibly being required to provide PrEP.   The NHS has said providing this medication will cut into their funds to treat people who are actually ill.  This snippet of an  article is just 1 of those around about how the NHS is cutting services to sick & dying people, so people who are too lazy to use condoms can have their PrEP.  

People with with medical issues in the here & now are going to lose treatment due to an avoidance tactic.   I wish seriously bad things on the people who pushed for PrEP to the point others will lose potentially life saving treatments.  The people who pushed PReP to this extent are selfish & indulgent.  They're being propelled forward by Gilead, so the pharm corp can line it's coffers even deeper.  There is nothing good to say on this matter.

Cya...

Ethnic, Poor, Drugs...

This article is about HIV rates in Saskatchewan, Canada.  They are higher than the national average.  Many of the + people are poor & indigenous.  Many are also IV drug users.   This is a good read.  It shows again how being fringe can increase your odds of contracting HIV.  It stresses the need for communication, testing & education.  Treatment only works if people know they need it & can access it.  

Cya...

10 Years Of Regular Testing...

This article is about what has happened in the last decade concerning the CDC's recommendations for regular testing for those with or at risk for HIV.  It's hard to believe this recommendation is only a decade old, but at least it's there & it seems to having an impact on matters.  The number of people who know their HIV status is far greater than it was back then.  It's an interesting read, give it a go.

Cya...

Different Perspective...

I'm not going to talk much about this article.  This article deals with being 20ish, black, female & hetero & HIV+.    I"m only 1 of those things, so this is different viewpoint.  This article isn't in depth, but still a good read.  It's interesting to see even though we're different, our experiences are similar.

Cya...