HIV/Aids

As World AIDS Day approaches (Dec. 1) , we are reminded that millions of people need our help with the AIDS pandemic, but we often think, "What can I do?"

Here is one simple way you can help, and it costs you nothing but a moment and a mouse click . . .

Bristol-Myers Squibb will donate $1 for every person who goes to their web site
https://www. lighttounite. org/[ and lights a candle to fight HIV/AIDS, up to a max of $100,000. At this point, the counter is just over $79,000..... .so we need to light many more candles.

Please go to this link to light a candle...... and help spread the light. (If the link doesn't work for you, please copy and paste it into your browser, and please spread the word) . Together we can make a difference!

I have lit mine!

Tommie Hamaluba


Botswana



AIDS and HIV

AIDS is a disease that has taken the world by storm. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome comes from HIV. HIV is a virus that attacks white blood cells in the body and kills them. Therefore, HIV causes the destruction of the body’s immune system. AIDS and HIV causes the death of millions of people each year. In the United States, Dr. Michael Gottlieb first identified AIDS as a new disease in 1980. Shortly after, in 1981 scientist in New York City started noticing signs of the same disease in people living near them. In 1982, this strange disease was identified as AIDS. Now in 2006, foundations like the American Foundation for AIDS Research, are struggling to find a cure. Several advances in technology have been made in the 15 years. In 1985, tests that detect HIV became available to the public. Also, Dr. Edward Robinson made significant advances in finding antiretroviral drugs that prevent viruses from reproduces. Needless to say, we can all do our part in trying to prevent AIDS from spreading. First of all, we can help by trying to avoid any situations that could possibly result in you coming in contact with infected body fluids. Secondly, we cannot share needles, Is all of us take the necessary precautions, we can help to keep a horrible disease from infecting even more millions of people around the world.

To read this entire paper go to:
HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS and Traditions

By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
NKOLONDOGO, Cameroon –
When Innocent Zamba Manga was born this summer,
doctors advised his mother, Marise, who is H.I.V. positive, not to
breast-feed, because nursing can pass the virus that causes AIDS from
mother to child. Mother and baby left the hospital with bottles and formula
supplied by a Catholic charity.

But the very next week, the proud parents took their baby to the
father's village in the south of Cameroon, to take part in a traditional
birth and naming ceremony. Custom required the new mother to nurse little
Innocent, so she did. And she continued for two weeks.
To read this entire article go to the following website:
HIV/AIDS Traditions

Infectious Diseases Information

Tuberculosis
Ian Day

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacterium. It affects the lungs by making them have white lumps of infection. That is why Tuberculosis is also known as the white plague. Tuberculosis is gotten from breathing in the bacteria. It is an airborne disease. Scientists have found remains of people with Tuberculosis from 4000 B.C. In 1882, Robert Koch discovered tubercle bacilli. Today, Tuberculosis is treated with a combination of antibiotics. Antibiotics include isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin, and a para-aminosalicylic acid. In some cases, Tuberculosis can become immune to one of these antibiotics. This is called drug-resistant Tuberculosis. Ninety-eight percent of people survive with treatment. In the past, there have been other treatments to Tuberculosis that included collapsing lungs, removing ribs, and cutting out parts of the lung. The best prevention to tuberculosis is good ventilation. Since the bacteria can be airborne from infected people coughing, it is good to stay away from people that are infected until they are cured. Regular exercise and a good diet can also prevent Tuberculosis. The BCG vaccine is used in most of the world, although it is not used in the United States. Tuberculosis is spread worldwide. There are over 20,000 cases of Tuberculosis in the United States each year. Almost two billion people in the world have Tuberculosis. Active Tuberculosis is when you get sick from Tuberculosis. You have 5-10% of a chance of getting active tuberculosis if you have tuberculosis. To test for tuberculosis, you must have a skin test or a chest x-ray. Symptoms of Tuberculosis are fever, night sweats, no appetite, weight loss, chest pain, and cough. I hope you now know what tuberculosis is and how it affects the body.

For more information see this link:
Tuberculosis