An infection frequently underestimated in HIV infected women, is Candida esophagitis, (a yeast infection in the esophagus). It is closely related to thrush (a yeast infection in the throat) and Candida vaginitis (a yeast infection in the vagina) and the only difference is it's location in the esophagus--the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach.
There are three main ways that mother to child infection occur; the child may acquire HIV while the mother is carrying it, while giving birth or after birth, primarily by breast-feeding.
It was a beautiful morning. It had been raining for a few days and the air was fresh, no smog insight. My mind was in overdrive as I thought about kicking ass at work. I was in charge of collecting, I had to psyche myself up to be rude and non- caring. Since my wife had been in & out of the hospital it was easier to take out my frustrations on strangers than with her doctors.
I've always been disturbed by the fact that women living with HIV/AIDS are the last to know. The last to know about the latest concoctions for treating HIV, the last to know about new research trials that could provide access to potentially life-saving therapies (although in most cases HIV and AIDS clinical trials test more of the same old things), the last to know about how to work the system to prolong their lives. It's long been a theory of mine that women's lack of access to information kills just as quickly as lack of access to healthcare.
Why did it seem that all the women who were present at this conference felt it was the best one they'd ever attended? Was it solely for the obvious reason that we were in Hawaii? It certainly didn't hurt, they have what is called "The Aloha Spirit", which I felt as a sharing of love, pride & caring.
At the end of September, I had the opportunity to attend the conference, "Women Living With HIV/AIDS: The Ripple Effect, in Hawaii." It has been a great experience and a joy for me to see more infected women coming forward to participate in conferences . . . .
Reported by Nancy MacNeil in collaboration with Allison Gilchrist, RN - Autumn 1995
It is clear that most women with HIV will experience some gynecological disorders as a result of HIV. As HIV progresses, gyn complications can become more severe and harder to treat.
From ACTG 175 Press Release and The Washington Post (09/15/95) - Autumn 1995
A new government study concluded that AZT is less effective than ddI or than therapies that combine AZT with either ddI or ddC. The study involved nearly 2,500 people with T-cells from 200 to 500.
My name is Shelly Gorden. I am a single parent living in Des Moines, Iowa who is HIV positive. I am desperately trying to get an organization started here to effectively deal with the issues of women, children and families living with AIDS, both infected and affected.
We say NO! As women working as AIDS activists, healthcare providers in HIV/AIDS and as child advocates we felt it was important to speak out to this issue. While no one wants to see an infant suffer unknowingly until PCP is diagnosed when prophylaxis may have prevented it, we must realize that any mandatory testing sets up a dangerous precedent.
Women Alive wants our readers to know that this UCLA study does include lesbians and has always included lesbians. However, we feel that it is important to point out that originally the study was not going to look at female partners.
I am twenty-two weeks into the Merck MK - 639 protease inhibitor clinical trial. This trial was appealing to me because it was in phase III. It was also open label, meaning I would know from the beginning which drug(s) I'd be receiving, as opposed to taking substances unknown to me.
The workshop "Safer Sex for Bisexual & Lesbian Women", was creative, fun, and sexy. It is refreshing to see young lesbians coming forth to ensure that such workshops are included in the women's conferences programs.
L.A. Shanti has announced that it opposes mandatory HIV testing of newborn babies. "Instead of mandating testing, we should be encouraging education and counseling," said Sue Crumpton, Executive Director of L.A. Shanti. "We at Shanti believe in empowering individuals to make their own choices -- not in letting the government dictate personal health decisions."
I am an inmate at York Correctional Institute in Niantic, Connecticut. I am also HIV+. Although we have our share of problems with issues such as proper medical attention, diet/nutrition, and support for our emotional problems related to HIV/AIDS, I have to say that from what I have read, we might be receiving somewhat better treatment than other women in correctional facilities
This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.