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4 BOCNEWS.COMAUGUST 2015 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 313 If we were at risk for developing a serious and potentially life threatening illness it can be said that everyone would choose to know as soon as possible that one had such a disease. It might be that knowing early could prevent some preventable pain and suffering. We also have to realize that far too many deadly illnesses can be present for years before manifesting themselves. Conditions such diabetes high blood pressure heart disease of various forms kidney disease and certain cancers can be present for years and cause no symptoms at first. Then eventually the disease begins to cause pain fatigue weight loss malaise just not feeling well and a host of other symptoms. We may or may not be aware of the fact that cer- tain habits and choices we make put us at risk for some unfortunate illnesses. Habits such as smok- ing alcohol use drug use poor dietary choices sedentary behavior and our sexual behavior may put us at high risk. We are to a large degree mas- ters of our own fate and state of health. No human being can make choices for us. As a physician I can advise and at times plead with people to change habit they need to change to no avail. That brings me now to the topic at hand HIV infection which can be a prelude to AIDS. These conditions have not gone away even though we dont hear so much about them and many act as if they are something they dont want to hear about or talk about. However trust me they are still with us. One fact may be surprising. A person may get infected with the HIV virus and go as long as 10 years or longer without any symptoms. Such a person is said to be asymptomatic in medical jar- gon or without symptoms. However it is only a mat- ter of time before reality hits home. It is inevitable. Then an infected person may begin to experience symptoms like fever weight loss a mouth infection called thrush- with white patches on the mouth and throat and other deadly signs. This is to be honest late in the course of the infection. Prior to that in the asymp- tomatic phase a person can spread the infection to others by sexual contact sharing needles and mothers can even spread it to their infant children. In fact people who have no symptoms are a reservoir for the disease-a hidden reservoir I might add. More than 1.2 million American are living with HIV. It has been estimated that about 156300 do not know that they are infected with HIV. They may feel well but nonetheless the are infected. Why is this even worth mentioning It is because eventually these peo- ple will get sick. Let me just mention the real tragedy in no knowing ones HIV status. Science has been able to come up with a host of new medi- cations that are very effec- tive in treating HIV infection. I have not forgotten the time in the late 1980s when we had so little to offer people who were infected. We saw to many people suffer and die. In the 1990s new drugs came on the market and now in 2015 people with HIV infection can actually live healthy lives. They do need effective medi- cal care and need to see their doctors and be getting ongoing medical care. It has also been found that the earlier a person can get effective medical care the better. The key issue is testing so that one knows whether or not they are infected. Testing as many as possible for HIV infection is an important weapon in the fight against HIV. The more testing the better and this should include changes in behavior that put one at risk. Local health department and medical facilities are engaged in testing. In addition there are groups in the community setting who may be engaged in testing. It is possible to test people by simple means by just doing a mouth swab with results available in as little as 20 minutes or so. Blood testing may be used to confirm positive results. This is something we need to do and testing in the community is a valuable and compassionate community service. By doing this more people can get the care they need and perhaps we might see the day when HIV can be eradicated. You will hear more in the near future about community testing and we appeal for any support you can give such efforts. WhyTesting for HIV Infection is Needed Dr. Conner By Byron E. Conner M.D. HEALTH More than 1.2 million American are living with HIV. It has been estimated that about 156300 do not know that they are infected with HIV. They may feel well but nonetheless the are infected... They will get sick. 1. RICHARD SMALLWOOD - ANTHOLOGY 2. ISRAEL NEWBREED - COVERED ALIVE IN ASIA 3. KAREN CLARK SHEARD - DESTINED 4. ANTHONY BROWN - EVERYDAY JESUS 5. MARVIN SAPP - YOU SHALL LIVE 6. GEOFFREY GOLDEN - KINGDOM LIVE 7. MARLON LOCK - GOOD SEED 8. TRENT VON LEE - I AM A PRIASER 9. PATRICK HOLLIS - NEW SEASON 10 DORINDA CLARK COLE - LIVING IT