Do Not talk to The Missouri Health Dept.

KMOV coverage of Washington University in St. Louis' discovery regarding Bee venom used to attack an HIV Cell

Out of Context: "cure" of infant could lead to misuse of ARV's.

Out of Context: "cure" of infant could lead to misuse of ARV's. 

By: Aaron M. Laxton, HIV-Infected Queer, Activist & Blogger

Almost immediately upon news that a child had "cleared" the virus that causes AIDS, news stories captured everyone's attention. It is captivating due to the fact that people want so badly to have a cure and the media sensationalizes anything that can get ratings and viewership. I am not saying that the media is bad however there was one thing that stood out to me when I first read the story. A 2 1/2 year old girl that was treated within 30 hours of birth and subsequently was able to clear the virus within her immune system. How long will it be before patients get the idea that they will be able to increase their antivirals and somehow get "cured". While this may sound like a crazy thought, it can also be a deadly thought since the medications that we take are highly toxic when taken in large amounts. 

My fear is that it will only be a matter of time before we see patients that deviate from the prescribed dosages of their medications and subsequently cause catastrophic damage to their renal system as well as liver damage. I hope that my fear is unfounded and that people will not take the information provided out of context. 

The greater message that needs to be relayed to the community is that 1 in 5 people who are infected with HIV are unaware of it. HIV is well managed with early detection through testing and treatment. Additionally there is no reason why in 2013 a person is not getting tested and treated for HIV or that people progress to AIDS. In the United States there are still approximately 50,000 AIDS related deaths each year and approximately 50,000 new HIV infections. 

If you are a patient that has read the stories regarding the toddler from Mississippi and you are even considering changing your medications arbitrarily please don't. While the child was given large doses of ARV's it was done under medical supervision and this is not appropriate for all patients. The child was able to clear the HIV virus due to her immune system lacking memory T Cells that develop in a mature immune system. The report will undoubtedly impact how we treat pediatrics which will greatly reduce the 330,000 mother-to-child transmissions that occur around the world annually. 

Patients need to continue their medications as prescribed with complete compliance and adherence. I will continue to preach the gospel of "test and treat". To find a testing center near you text your zip code to "knowit" and the closest testing site will be texted to your phone. 

What does a child "cured" of HIV mean for you?

What does a child "cured" of HIV mean for you?
By: Aaron M. Laxton, HIV-Infected Queer, Activist & Blogger

Today, 3/3/13, news came that a 2 1/2 year-old child has been considered "cured" of the HIV virus. As soon as the story hit the wire it began to bounce around via social media and other media outlets around the world. So what exactly does this mean for the those of us living with HIV? While this is great news that supports researchers ideas regarding HIV reservoirs it does not mean that the treatment for an adult currently living with HIV will change. 

The announcement regarding the child's clearance of HIV is important since it goes to the direct issue of a child's immune system versus the adult immune system. Additionally the child was treated with abnormally large amounts of ARV drugs and treatment began immediately, within 30 hours of birth; that indicates that she was most likely infected in utero. Most patients will not meet these same conditions however this supports the philosophy that early detection supports improved outcomes. 

The doctor treating the child gave higher-than-usual "therapeutic" doses of three powerful HIV drugs rather than the "prophylactic" doses usually given. In the months following treatment the child showed no signs of the virus. Due to the mother's living situation the child fell out of care and treatment was stopped. Once Mississippi state health authorities tracked the mother/child down they discovered that she had stopped giving the girl antiviral drugs six or seven month earlier. 

Doctors expected to find that the daughters immune system was showing signs of HIV infection however to their surprise they could detect no sign of the virus. Almost immediately the treating physician took steps to rule out specimen contamination and other considerations that could account for a negative test from the daughter. Since August of 2012 labs in San Diego, Baltimore and Bethesdahave ran ultra-sensation tests on the baby's blood. While intermittently pieces of HIV DNA and RNA have been found there is no indication that the virus is actively replicating in the child's cells.

The importance of this discovery is that it goes directly to theories that researchers have regarding HIV reservoirs. Since the child was treated approximately 30 hours after birth this effectively stopped HIV reservoirs from developing. 

While this research is a move in the right direction towards a cure there is a need for guarded optimism as well as context. For those of us living with HIV this news does not mean that we can stop medications or that we will be cured tomorrow. It does however mean that our understanding of HIV is improving. 

Five things that men in the gay community do not want to talk about.

Five things that men in the gay community do not want to talk about.
By: Aaron M. Laxton, HIV-Infected Queer, Activist & Blogger

Recently while in Washington, DC to lobby for HIV/AIDS issues on the Capital Hill, I found myself talking with activists from across the country. These conversations are always interesting due to the fact that activists are by definition typically high-spirited and type "A" personality types. Events where activists are able to spend time together usually involve a time for using each other as a sounding-board, reflecting on both national and local issues. It is these conversations that allow us to gauge what impact we are having within our own communities and regions. Below is a list of five things that men in the gay community do not want to talk about however there is a need for an honest conversation.

1. Bareback Sex/Random Sex

Raw bareback sex is very much taboo and is seen as something that "others" do. Let's be honest though... Regardless of whether we want to talk about it or not, it is happening. I am a firm believer that a real conversation regarding prevention also needs to include risk-reduction practices that are inclusive of guys who exclusively practice bareback sex. Until we start to have an honest conversation about barebacking, we will never be able to successfully prevent exposure within the community.

Most, not all, gay men are sexual and the ways in which we go about finding tricks is as endless as our imaginations. Some guys use Craigslist while others use phone applications such as Grindr, Recon, Scruff or Growler. The one thing that I know is that while everyone has checked one of these formats out at one time or another, many people act as if they never have. Wake up and recognize the people are doing it and that an honest conversation is the only way that we will be able to reduce new HIV infections and exposures to other STD/STI's.

2. Crystal Meth

Tina, PNP, Party and Play... It goes by a lot of different names. Regardless of whether we acknowledge it or not, it is still a major issue within our community. There are many reasons for why gay men choose to use. Some men use crystal to avoid their emotions while others choose to use because of sexual disfunction. The incidence of guys that are using crystal is alarming. We must recognize that addicts come in many shapes, sizes, ages and economic variations. Addicts are your friends, family members, co-workers, fellow activists, clients and so on... Addicts are good at hiding who they really are however if you pay attention you will recognize the signs. An addict loses interest in things that once interested them. They will slowly stop caring about friendships and relationships and eventually they will isolate themselves as their addiction takes over.

What starts out as recreational use slowly morphs into a full-blown habit. In time you are doing things that you never thought you would do.

3. HIV/AIDS and aging

Let's face it, as an LGBT community we move those who are older out of the lime light. This might be done out of fear or maybe an inability to face our own mortality however that does not excuse or absolve us of this behavior. Most of our bars are filled with younger community members and if an older community dares to brave the cold-contemptuous glances of snotty-twinks the result will be a bitchy million-dollar attitude. It does not matter that it is directly as a result of activism from an aging LGBT community that a younger generations enjoys unparalleled freedoms and equality that a previous generation could only dream about.

4. HIV criminalization

34 states and 2 US territories have criminal statutes that specially criminalize HIV. Since the LGBT community is disproportionally affected by HIV it only seems logical that the community would push for modernization of these draconian HIV criminalization statutes. As gay men we must change how we view HIV criminalization and we must educate ourselves. The sad reality is that gay men are directly impacted by the application of laws that stigmatize those living with HIV/AIDS and are directly responsible for violence against those living with the disease, cause people to not get tested and subsequently treated to HIV or to stay in care after diagnosis.

5. Issues that are specific to minority groups.

As an LGBT community we must admit that the strategies used for white MSM ( Men who have sex with men) are not the same as those are used for say African Americans or Latinos. Until we start to have a real conversation about the cultural variations within our own community and how they play into exposure/transmission we will never be as successful as we could be in reducing new infections. One such example would be within the African-American community and men who have sex on the downlow.

As a community we can either continue to look at the world through rose colored glasses or we can address these issues head on. The conversations start one at a time until a dialogue is occurring throughout the community. Will you continue to perpetuate an attitude of ambivalence within our own community or will you resolve to have a real conversation concerning the issues impacting our community?

Injunction to block Congress from getting paid during Sequestration

Injunction to block Congress from getting paid during Sequestration
By: Aaron M. Laxton, HIV-Infected Queer, Activist & Blogger

In 6 days across-the-board cuts will go into effect as a result of President Obama and Congress failing to reach a deal regarding the debt ceiling. With the fiscal crisis looming on the horizon Congress is on vacation. It must be nice to get an approximate $175,000 annual salary for what amounts to a part time job. 

The sequester was originally passed as part of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA), also known as the debt ceiling compromise. It was intended to serve as incentive for the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, or the "Supercommittee" to come to a deal to cut $1.5 trillion over 10 years. If the committee had done so, and Congress had passed it by Dec. 23, 2011, then the sequester would have been averted. A deal was not reached and we are now staring sequestration directly in the face. 

What is going to be cut?

• Domestic $42.7 billion (7.9 percent)
• Defense Programs $28.7 billion (5.3 percent)
• Mandatory $4 billion (5.8 percent non defense/7.8 defense)
• Discretionary Spending 
• Medicare $9.9 billion (2 percent)

The effect of sequestration will reduce the scale and scope of existing programs. Below is a list of programs that will be impacted:

• Aircraft purchases by the Air Force and Navy will be cut by $3.5 billion
• Military operations across the services will be cut about $13.5 billion
• Military research will be cut by $6.3 billion
• The National Institute of Health will be cut by $1.6 billion
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be reduced by $323 million
• Border security reduced by about $581 million
• Immigration enforcement to be cut by $323 million
• Airport security reduced by $323 million
• Head Startcut by $406 million- kicking 70,000 kids out of program
• FEMA cut by $375 million
• Public housing support slashed by $1.94 billion 
• FDA to be automatically reduced by $206 million
• NASA cut by $970 million
• Special education will be gutted by $840 million
• Energy Dept. program to secure our nukes cut by $650 million
• National Science Foundation cut by $388 million
• FBI reduced by $480 million
• Federal Prison system to be cut by $355 million
• State Dept. diplomatic functions will be cut by $650 million
• Global health programs to be cut by $433 million
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission cut by $55 million

During the sequester military service members will also see their benefits reduced however they will still get paid. Additionally federal employees will not see their salaries cut since Congress wrote a clause in that states, "a sequester may not reduce or have the effect of reducing the rate of pay an employee is entitled to." 

That means that Congress will continue to get paid although no work has been done or is currently being done. It is my belief that an injunction needs to be issued through Federal Court blocking Congress from getting paid during the sequester. Why should the citizens of the United States burden the consequences of Congress inability to reach a deal to avert the debt crisis?  

I urge each of you in the very strongest way to contact your representative in Congress and place pressure on them to actually do their job and reach a deal to avoid sequestration. It is my opinion that the entire administration and congress should not adjourn until a deal is reached.

 

Use the links below to determine who your member of congress is and how to contact them today.

 

Contacting Congress

Congressional Directory

 

Tips On Telephoning Your Elected Representatives

To find your senators' and representative's phone numbers, you may use our searchable online congressional directory or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121 and ask for your senators' and/or representative's office.

Remember that telephone calls are usually taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment.
After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message, such as: "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose (S.___/H.R.___)."
You will also want to state reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Ask for your senators' or representative's position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.

Arrest all men, women and children with the flu!

Arrest all men, women and children with the flu!
By: Aaron M. Laxton, HIV-Infected Queer, Activist & Blogger

Criminalization of those living with HIV has seemingly set  a new precedence for how the CDC (Center for Disease Control) chooses to address public health issues. While the tactics of arresting those with HIV/AIDS are more in keeping with Hitler's Third Reich than a democratic society; arrest, prosecution and imprisonment is an ever-present fear for the approximately 1.2 million living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. If you are living with HIV/AIDS and you are not concerned about criminalization then you are clueless.

Policy makers, politicians and law enforcement serve of the Gestapo enforcing fear through the use of imprisonment, forfeiture of civil rights and public-shaming should an HIV positive person even be accused of looking in the direction of a negative person. In many ways it is very reminiscent of the deep-south at a time when African American men would be strung up simply on the accusation of a white woman that he had done something inappropriate. In the United States you are not innocent until proven guilty... You are guilty until proven innocent. Proving your innocence is something that requires money, lots of money. Even if you ultimately are proven innocent (which doesn't happen that often), you will be financially ruined. Your reputation will forever be that of a person who "intentionally tried to infect someone with HIV" regardless of the circumstance.

Thirty -four states and two U.S. territories have criminal statutes that punish people for exposing or transmitting HIV to another individual. Punishments range from a fine to up to 30 years in prison, according to the Center for HIV Law and Policy. In some states, exposure or transmission is a felony, and convicted individuals are sometimes forced to register as sex offenders. In my home state of Missouri simply exposing another person to HIV (through ANY sexual contact) or by through saliva  is viewed by the law as a Class B punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Disclosure of your HIV status and the use of a condom is no defense. I repeat, the use of a condom is no defense according to Missouri law.


To date there has been no data that supports the idea that criminalizing HIV prevents exposure and infection. The contrary has actually been noted that criminalization practices impede getting people tested for HIV and ultimately treated. The reality is that criminal statutes that are out-dated and draconian only perpetuate fear and ignorance regarding HIV/AIDS.

Those infected with the flu should be arrested!

In 2006-2007 up to 49,000 people died in the United States as a result of complications related to influenza. If criminalizing HIV is seen as a prevention strategy then why not apply this same practice to address  influenza outbreaks? Arrest people who do not wash their hands, who cough without covering their mouth and those who place others at risk of infecting others with inluenza. Arrest children, women, the elderly... Arrest everyone since anyone can be a potential carrier of the influenza virus which could lead to death.

Obviously you can see the flaw in the previous suggestion however  criminalization is viewed as acceptable when applied to those living with HIV/AIDS?

Society has no problem quarantining marganlized populations however that must be seen as a slipper-slope that has greater implications for other groups. Today, it is criminalizing those living with HIV/AIDS but tomorrow it could be people living with Hepatitis. After that it could be criminalizing anyone who is a carrier of influenza. Ultimately where does it end? As long as we allow fear to dictate policy regarding public health, we will never acheive

You can either accept that criminalization of HIV/AIDS is the way it is, or you can fight against it. Contact you representative in Congress and urge them to sign on as a co-sponsor of the " REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act" introduced by Barabara Lee, (D) California.

Also you can learn more about efforts to end the criminalization of those with HIV by visiting The SERO Project at www.seroproject.org