Access to HIV+ / AIDs treatment

[Bbucko]

I have an wonderful friend who lives in NSW, Australia, about ~200 kms from Sydney in a very small town. Though he has no access to specialized care where he lives, he has access to some of the best health care available on the planet in Sydney, which necessitates a long train ride every four months or so.

I don't believe that he's ever mentioned it specifically (could always ask, I suppose), but I believe that his meds are sent via post directly to his house. At least in NSW, there are no fees or co-pays of any kind for his care, nor must he prove either how "sick" or how "poor" he is before he gets them.

Although my experience with the French medical system (as it relates to HIV/AIDS) is about 20 years old now, I know that neither service nor meds involved any co-pays or hassles for French citizens (at that point, I wasn't receiving care, my lover was). The French health care system, though hardly perfect, was light-years away from anything I'd seen or experienced in the US, except as regards hospice.

 

[Tremaine]

This is excellent stuff - we are startning to get a clearer picture of the Access to Treatment and Meds for all with HIV / AIDS.

It brings out what I have beleived for many a year, that however anything is done anywhere, there are always things that we can learn from other parts of the globe. The way that we are used to is not necessarily either the best or the only way to do things.

It is certainly the case in some parts of the UK, that if for some reason the Pharmacy is short on someones meds, they will post out the remainder within a couple of days be registered post.

Thanks again for the additional info Bbucko.

It would be great if someone could bring us up to date on the situation in France and other European Countries and beyond.

 

[brinzaulsschwul]

Tascha if you are indeed a nurse you have a duty to act in the best interest of your patients and if that means going over the head of a doctor then you just get on and do it. It's called "Whistle Blowing" and you are protected in law so just get on and deal with it and stop this man from dying. There is no need for him to die unless his immune system is so compromised from co-infection such as Hepatitis C and the wrong combination therapy which you are in a prime position to correct in partnership with the consultant or consultant from another department

Tremaine has made it easy for you, by publishing the NICE guidance on HIV treatment for which I thank him.

Your attitude of doing nothing is actually making me feel physically sick and I wonder whether you have some prejudice towards people with HIV because you are doing nothing but allowing him to die maybe you consider yourself another Shipman.

Brinz

 

[Tremaine]

Thanks for that Brinz - In action because one is not senior enough is no defence.

"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men (women) to do nothing." -
-- Edmund Burke

 

[arthur]

Tremaine...this is the most intelligent thread ever started on this site...and Bbucko your a credit to humanity. My dearest friend has been living with full blown AIDS for ten years now and the treatment that he receives in the UK is exemplary. Most of the time the problem is helping him cope with bouts of depression that often lead to him not taking his meds. Not easy... But the medication and medical assitance he receives can't be argued with.


Again thanks for starting this thread...

 

[brinzaulsschwul]

Here's some information for you all, because we have not yet discussed it and we really should.

If you are exposed to HIV or think you have been exposed to HIV particularly in places like London, Manchester Zurich, Berlin, New York, New Orleans, anywhere in Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, India oh the list goes on and on - see UNAIDS

right, so if you have been or think you have been exposed to HIV there are drugs that you can take that TRY to eliminate HIV taking hold in the body. These are commonly referred to as PEP Post Exposure Prophylaxis to HIV. It is a course of anti- retrovirals that need to be commenced within 72 hours when they are about 40% successful at stopping HIV.
If they are taken within the first hour, they are about 80% successful at stopping HIV.

PEPSEHIV (Post Exposure Prophylasxis sexual exposure HIV) another way it is written sometimes is not IS NOT IS NOT IS NOT to be relied upon rather than condoms. CONDOMS CONDOMS CONDOMS are they only reliable method of stopping HIV infection if they are used properly. Always use a condom that correctly fits your cock. Everyone should use a water based lubricant to help protect the condom. People who have anal sex (it's not just gay and bi men) should use huge amounts of water based lube and replace the condom every 20 mins or so to keep the condom in tip top condition.

So if the condom fails, or you forget to use one because you were pissed or of your face on drugs get PEPHIV (another way it is written).

PEPHIV is available from the Department of Sexual Health in the UK also known as GUM clinic or sexual health clinic. These people are the specialist and should be your first stop. If the clinics are closed because it's late at night or the weekend go to A&E and tell the receptionist what has happened don't be shy this is your life we are talking about. Ask to see the HIV registrar straight away. If she kicks off - "wait your turn like the rest" - would be the usual ill informed attitude refer her to the BASHH guidelines ie get the anitretrovirals as soon as possible without delay. http://www.bashh.org/documents/58/58.pdf

In the UK the doctor will give you a rapid HIV test to make sure you are not already HIV+ and then discuss what happened and ask lots of questions about the partner and th type of sex you had had. For instance, 2 virgins will not be offered PEPHIV unless 1 is already HIV+ from another route.

Here's hoping that you never have to get PEPHIV because you have used condoms correctly.

Have a happy safe sex life and don't forget your annual or more often if you like check up at the sexual health clinic - we love seeing you

Brinz

 

[Bbucko]

Good info, Brinz.

FWIW, PEP is available in every emergency room in the US as far as I know. I have never heard of anyone not having access to it, provided they had a genuine risk exposure.

And thank you, Arthur: that was a lovely thing to say.

 

[Tremaine]

Cheers for that Arthur - very much appreciated.

 

[brinzaulsschwul]

Well informed tasche has been very quiet

 

[silvertriumph2]

Ever since I read this thread I have been unable to get it out of mind .
I( have spent the entire day in contemplation. I just can't believe how far my head has
bee up my ass...for such a long time...since the early 80's when my friends began to get
sick. Even though I have lost many friends through HIV and have spent time with each of
them while they were sick...I was still so un-informed and ignorant of much that has been
going on...or what they were going through. How could I have been so out of touch with
reality?

For the last couple of years, I have received and enjoyed much here at lpsg, but nothing
has hit me like this thread. It has made me think as nothing else at lpsg has done.

I want to THANK Tremaine so much for starting
this very informative and useful thread...I hope it will be seen by others that were as
clueless as I so that they will finally be informed.

I also want to THANK Bbucko, brinzaulsschwul, biggull29, FuzzyKen,
Scottredleter, sxjTheFirst, TomCat84, and SeeDickRun for their words. I wish all of you the
very best... especially those of you whom are personally going through this maze to get
what you need, and for those of you with friends going through the same thing.

If nothing else...this thread was worth JOINING LPSG...

Thank you all again.
Silver

 

[Tremaine]

You are more than welcome - Silvertriumph2.

Whilst I do hope that more people from across the globe contribute to this thread and add their knowledge and experiences, that it has caused just one person to re-evalute the situation in their area is great and it has therefore been worthwhile starting it.

 

[brinzaulsschwul]

Thanks silvertrumph2 glad we have made you think and hope it makes others think too, HIV is just not spoken about as much as it should be and far too many people think there is a cure! particularly the young and even some of those who lived through the 1980's

Brinz

 

[TomCat84]

Thanks silvertrumph2 glad we have made you think and hope it makes others think too, HIV is just not spoken about as much as it should be and far too many people think there is a cure! particularly the young and even some of those who lived through the 1980's

Brinz

I would also like to add that there are a lot of people who are very ignorant of how HIV works and how it can (and cannot) be transmitted.

 

[Tremaine]

If everyone who reads this thread could get two others to read it, then the word will get out and it will very quickly be common knowledge.
Cheers guys n gals.

 

[Tremaine]

HIV rate 'soars' among over-50s

Reported on the BBC web site BBC News - HIV rate 'soars' among over-50s



There has been a big increase in the number of people aged 50 and over catching HIV, latest figures show.


The over 50s infection rate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland more than doubled in under a decade - from 299 new cases in 2000 to 710 in 2007.
In 2008 there were 7,382 new diagnoses - 8% of these were in the over-50s, says the Health Protection Agency.


Experts say the figures are a stark reminder of the importance of practising safe sex, whatever your age.

Other sexually transmitted infections have shown a similar doubling in under a decade among the same age group, and have been rising at a faster rate than in the young.

Promiscuity

Ruth Smith, who led the HPA research, said: "We estimate that nearly half of older adults diagnosed between 2000 and 2007 were infected at age 50 or over. This highlights the importance of HIV testing - whatever your age.


"We must continually reinforce the safe sex message - using a condom with all new or casual partners is the surest way to ensure people do not become infected with a serious sexually transmitted infection such as HIV."


Worryingly, say the researchers, half were diagnosed late. The sooner HIV is diagnosed and treated the less likely it will be passed on and the better the treatment options become.


Dr Valerie Delpech, head of HIV surveillance at the HPA, said: "HIV remains a serious infection particularly when diagnosed late. The fact that we've seen an increase in the number of older adults getting diagnosed, and in particular getting diagnosed late, highlights the need for raised awareness in that age group."


Lisa Power, of the HIV charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, said their own research had found the over 50s were now the fastest growing group of people with HIV in the UK.
"This is partly because people are now living for longer with the condition, thanks to better treatment. Life expectancy with HIV has improved."


But she said there was a long way to go regarding support for this age group.
"Older people with HIV are living with high levels of uncertainty about their future health and social care and need substantially more support than their peers."
All of the findings were presented at the AIDS 2010 conference in Vienna.

 

[D_Sparroe Spongecaques]

Well informed tasche has been very quiet

IF you meant me then my name is TASHA and i'm keeping quiet as i am NOT willing to be banned

 

[Tremaine]

IF you meant me then my name is TASHA and i'm keeping quiet as i am NOT willing to be banned

But how about speaking out and getting that guy the treatment that he is entitled to.

"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men (women) to do nothing."
​

So either you are happy for evil to be done or you are evil yourself - now which is it?

Do we get to hear about you in the news because you had the courage to stand up and be counted or because you looked on whilst others withheld treatment.

 

[D_Sparroe Spongecaques]

But how about speaking out and getting that guy the treatment that he is entitled to.

"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men (women) to do nothing."​

So either you are happy for evil to be done or you are evil yourself - now which is it?

Do we get to hear about you in the news because you had the courage to stand up and be counted or because you looked on whilst others withheld treatment.

I'm unsure if you're trying to goad me so i do end up banned but it won't work.

How about you STOP making assumptions and telling me what you think i should do as you know F all about me and what i do...ok!!

Me evil????.....ROFL!!!

 

[Tremaine]

I'm unsure if you're trying to goad me so i do end up banned but it won't work.

How about you STOP making assumptions and telling me what you think i should do as you know F all about me and what i do...ok!!

Me evil????.....ROFL!!!

No Tasha - I am not trying to goad you in order to get you banned - nothing could be further from my mind.

But I am seeking to goad you into getting the treatment that is apparently required for the chap you referred to. You said that all he could do was breat and that there was no access to the meds on account of a Post Code Lottery. To assist you in that goal I made a point as has been noted by others of posting the NICE guidelines. Since you have been vague thoughout - and only made allusions you can not blame me or others if we may have misprised you.

And I did not say that you were evil - so please don't twist what was said.
This thread was started by me in a quest to ge more information out to all here on the accessibility or otherwise to drugs & treatment for all with HIV / AIDS, in which ever country they live. It is a great shame that you have sought to take it down a different path. Please can we all stick to the facts of Access.

 

[D_Sparroe Spongecaques]

But how about speaking out and getting that guy the treatment that he is entitled to.

"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men (women) to do nothing."​

So either you are happy for evil to be done or you are evil yourself - now which is it?

Do we get to hear about you in the news because you had the courage to stand up and be counted or because you looked on whilst others withheld treatment.

No Tasha - I am not trying to goad you in order to get you banned - nothing could be further from my mind.

But I am seeking to goad you into getting the treatment that is apparently required for the chap you referred to. You said that all he could do was breat and that there was no access to the meds on account of a Post Code Lottery. To assist you in that goal I made a point as has been noted by others of posting the NICE guidelines. Since you have been vague thoughout - and only made allusions you can not blame me or others if we may have misprised you.

And I did not say that you were evil - so please don't twist what was said.
This thread was started by me in a quest to ge more information out to all here on the accessibility or otherwise to drugs & treatment for all with HIV / AIDS, in which ever country they live. It is a great shame that you have sought to take it down a different path. Please can we all stick to the facts of Access.

Seeing as you know my patient better than i do you will already know that he will be lucky to see the weekend.

Have a fabulous evening.