Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 244 BOCNEWS.com NOVEMBER 2016 "For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds saith the Lord..." Jeremiah 30:17 It may be forgotten, but it is not gone. Just reflect on the fact that rarely in the news media today do we hear any mention of HIV/AIDS. However for some of us, we are not able to forget this deadly scourge. This may be true even if we are not now actively involved with treating patients with this affliction. I can still see their faces and the faces of their loved ones in my memories. HIV is still a major global public health issue. In 2015, an estimated 36.7 million people were living with HIV. The current epidemic started in the mid- to late 1970's, although the clinical description was first noted in about 1981. About 35 million people have died of AIDS related illnesses. I personally got involved with taking care of HIV infected patients in 1987 after returning from a three year stay in the mission field in Ethiopia. At that time, in 1987 in the US and elsewhere, the disease seemed like a tragic and unbeatable affliction, and many of those with HIV infection came in already sick with often advanced disease. Those with HIV actually presented with various infections and cancers due to a mal- functioning immune system. We saw far too many who had a progressive and inexorable down hill course. We had one medication called AZT that we used to attack the virus directly. It did not work well and I was very disappointed with this medication. We had medication to treat as well the various infections that came due to the disordered immune systems of HIV infected individuals, but these seemed of little benefit. A diagnosis of HIV At the time noted was a death sentence and there were few long term survi- vors. Sounds like a dismal picture, does it not? I was praying, along with others I am sure, for a break- through. This did come in the mid 1990's believe it or not. A steady proliferation of new medications came on the mar- ket. These medications made it possible to make HIV infection a manageable illness. People were able to live much longer even in to middle age and older. There are now more than 20 drugs available and six dif- ferent classes of drugs. There are pills that contain more than one medication This does require good medical care and access to care. The bottom line is one can live longer and bet- ter even with HIV infection. The medications used can also prevent the transmission of the HIV infection. There are some inequities and some who suffer more just because of poverty, race, and sexual behavior. High risk groups are men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, and racial and ethnic minorities. There are those who are infected with HIV but do not know it and this may be as many as 13% of those who are in fact infected. Testing of those in high risk groups is critical, but testing as many as possible is advis- able. One can have HIV infection for as long as 10 years and not be frankly ill. If a person is found to be positive treatment needs to be started immediately. Some do not know that blacks are especially hard hit by HIV. African Americans are about 13% of the population nationwide, but about 45% of those newly infected. This is a fact that requires action in our com- munity. Let me just summarize some key facts to remember: HIV can be transmitted by sexual contact, sharing nee- dles and from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. There are medi- cation to prevent mother to baby transmission HIV is not spread by air or water, saliva, sweat and closed mouth kissing. HIV is not spread by insects, pets, and sharing toilets, food or drinks You can have HIV infection for as long as 10 years as noted, before getting ill-only testing will reveal the infection. Get tested at least once or more if you are at risk Condom use can prevent the spread of infection If you are at high risk for HIV there are medi- cations you can take to prevent you from getting infected There are medication you can take after you think you were exposed, but these must be taken within 72 hours of the exposure If you are on HIV medications, take them as direct- ed, and do not stop them no matter how well you feel Tell sexual partners if you are living with HIV as they may need medications to prevent them from getting infected As needed get tested for other sexually transmitted diseases Even if seen by your doctor for a routine visit, you can discuss your HIV risk and need for testing, and this includes other sexually transmitted infections I trust this information will be helpful to our com- munity by God's grace. AIDS Update Dr. Conner By Byron E. Conner, M.D. HEALTH Those with HIV actually presented with various infections and cancers due to a malfunctioning immune system. We saw far too many who had a progressive and inexorable down hill course. We had one medication called AZT that we used to attack the virus directly. It did not work well and I was very disappointed with this medication. 1. RANCE ALLEN - LIVE FROM SAN FRANCISCO 2. J. DREW SHEARD - G.E.I. LIVE 3. LUTHER BARNES - THE FAVOR OF GOD 4. HART RAMSEY - TRUE STORY 5. BISHOP PAUL MORTON - LEGACY LIVE IN N.O. 6. SHAWN JONES - VICTORY 7. ROY & THE REVELATIONS - BLEST BY THE BEST 8. JOHN P. KEE - CHURCH CHOIR 9. LECRAE - CHURCH CLOTHES 3 10. THISL - AGAINST ALL ODDS