presented by Dr. Alexandra Levine; reported by Nancy MacNeil - Autumn 1993
A new four-year project called the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) will begin early next year. This is the first wide scale "natural history" (also called epidemiology) study for women. This probe into the natural history of AIDS in women will have a gynecological focus, allowing clinicians a better grasp on the virus' impact on vaginal candidiasis, pelvic inflammatory disease, herpes, genital warts and cervical cancer, etc.
Recently Dr. David Wright of Austin, TX., concluded that two of his lesbian patients were infected with HIV through sex with other women. The women had no other known risk factors. Although these are not the first known cases of HIV transmission through lesbian sex, they are the most widely publicized.
The more women I see in my practice, the more questions I get regarding the role of vitamins and minerals in the treatment of HIV. Many women fear the vast number of medications prescribed to them and the limited knowledge of their effects on women as compared to men.
The Women It's 9 P.M. on Tuesday. Patricia Taylor arrives at her doctor's office. She has been treated for over three years now, always at the same odd hours. Nobody notices her coming in, nobody sees her going out. Patricia is infected with HIV.
The official theme for this world AIDS day is; "AIDS: A Time to Act." and it is. Perhaps it's time for you to act. We would all agree that it is past time for the government to act. It is time for Bill Clinton to act instead of giving lip service to the crisis. President Clinton does seem to say all the right things, yet there is no official plan for action or even a national plan to cure AIDS. Others agree that now, more than ever, it is time to ACT UP.
Lori sipped a cup of cappuccino. The late morning sun streamed in the window, turning her long hair a rich shade of copper. We were at Hugo's, a trendy delicatessen in West Hollywood.
We've been talking about putting together a Women's Physicians Referral guide. So, if you have a particular doctor or remedy or anything you'd like to share with other HIV+ women, send us the information and we'll print it.
The women of Being Alive have organized 2 wonderful socials for HIV+ women. The ambiance is pleasant, the food; excellent, the atmosphere; cozy, the company; friendly. I give the socials 2 thumbs up. The women who attended had a delightful time, as many expressed as they were leaving the first social, then they returned for the second one.
A woman (I will call her Ann) called PROTOTYPES a few months ago. Ann was a friend of a co-worker at PROTOTYPES who asked me to speak with her. Ann is HIV+ and the mother of a two year old girl. When Ann called, she was crying and she told me that she had been hit that morning and that her partner had been physically, verbally and emotionally abusing her for a few years.
This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.