Precious and Positive

Hey friends! I'm joining with a team of other families who have adopted HIV+ kiddos to blog about life with our kids who are Precious and Positive. Pleace check it out. Be sure to check back frequently for more helpful content about life as a positive family and all kinds of resources.

Childbirth for HIV+ Mothers

The latest research related to HIV+ women birthing children and the good news about the decreasing risk to mother and child. Read about it here.

Bringing it Home

I found this amazing article . I, personally, think this is a brilliant idea.

Go read it and come back here to share your thoughts.....

Antiretroviral Drugs

Here's a link to a list of antiretroviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV.

This list is specific to treatment of pediatric HIV. Some people will find this list helpful for figuring out cost of the drugs whether on their insurance plans or private pay.

Tell 2 TODAY!

World AIDS day is today. In an effort so raise awareness and combat the sigma associated with HIV/AIDS I'm participating in the Tell 2 Campaign. The goal is for every person to share the facts about HIV/AIDS with just two people. Together we can make an impact and increase awareness about a virus which is ravaging the globe. Together we can eradicate the stigma which burdens so many suffering with the disease.

Please join me by dedicating your status on Facebook today or a post on your blog to this topic. Then, tell at least two people about it. Ask them to do the same.


Here are some facts about HIV.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and it is the virus that if left untreated, can progress and develop into AIDS. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and occurs when HIV advances and weakens the immune system to the point that the body can no longer fight off illness and infections.

There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS, however, the medications that are now available to treat HIV are highly effective. HIV is now considered a chronic yet manageable condition in the United States and in other countries where treatment is readily available. Children who receive the proper treatment and medications are expected to live well into adulthood and have close to normal or normal life expectancies. Many people are now living with HIV for indefinite periods of time without developing AIDS.

HIV is not spread through hugging, kissing, shaking hands, sharing toys, sneezing, coughing, sharing food, sharing drinks, changing diapers, bathing, swimming or any other causal way.

It has been proven that HIV and AIDS can only be spread through sexual contact, birth, breast milk and blood to blood contact (such as sharing needles). HIV is not transmitted through urine, stool, snot, tears or sweat.

The lower the amount of HIV virus in a persons body the lower their risk of transmitting their virus to another. Think in terms of HIV being like concentrated orange juice. If you mixed orange concentrate according to the directions into a pitcher of water you would have more parts orange concentrate to water as compared to mixing that same can of concentrate into a swimming pool. Your odds of running into an orange concentrate in the swimming pool are greatly decreased as compared to in the pitcher. People who are managing the virus effectively with medications arel ike the swimming pool while those who do not receive treatment continue to see the concentration of virus in their bodies rise.

Medications can reduce the amount of HIV in a person's system to the point that the HIV is considered "undetectable", meaning there is only a very tiny amount of virus in the person's system. This does not mean the person is cured, it simply means the virus has been managed effectively through medication so that the amount present in the body cannot be detected by tests.

It is always recommended and wise to use universal precautions when dealing with blood spills.

It is also helpful to know that the risk of transmitting HIV through a bloody nose or skinned knee or something of the sort is minimal. This is especially true for a person that is on HIV medications.

Books for Kids with HIV

I was just made aware of these books published in Canada for children living with HIV/AIDS. I plan to purchase two of the titles- Hope, Wishes, and Dreams, as well as Bye-Bye Secrets. I'll be sure to review them here once I finish them.

I've been discouraged to find that there are few books written for children living with HIV/AIDS. If anyone has suggestions for children's books on the topic I'd love to hear them!

On the Sovereignty of God

A father speaks at a conference giving his testimony about God's sovereignty and about suffering. It's WORTH your time. Follow the link and click on One Generation Shall Tell Your Works to Another- http://www.childrendesiringgod.org/events/conference2005.php

John Knight (the father speaking) has a blog called The Works of God. You can read John Piper's letter here: http://ow.ly/qSjx

A Must Read

Here's a super interesting artile from TheBody.com
This Month in HIV: An Update on the Amazing Story of the First Man to Be Cured of HIV - The Body

This Month in HIV also comes has podcast if you prefer to listen instead. Sweet!

I'm Telling 2. Will You?

thebody.com has interesting articles to read. This is one of many about the need for increased education to combat stigma related to HIV. I thought it would be a good one to highlight while encouraging you to consider joining the Tell 2 campaign which began with Erin and whose torch has been picked up by these folks on Facebook.

HIV Resource

A helpful and informative HIV resource titled Living With HIV by Riley Children's Hospital (I admit, I didn't have a clue where it was and just googled it) was forwarded to me by our HS Coordinator and I thought I'd share it here in case anyone could benefit.

http://rileychildrenshospital.com/resources/documents/LivingwithHIV_ECox.pdf

TB Testing for Adopted Children

The CDC has an outdated protocol for the admission of children who have been adopted abroad and are coming home to the US. Adoptive families are petitioning to remove the TB testing requirement. Please follow this link to learn why the sputum form of testing is a ridiculous requirement for children.
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7928-International-Adoption-Examiner~y2009m8d14-Interview-with-pediatric-tuberculosis-expert-Dr-Jeffrey-Starke

TB testing directly affects waiting children- like our son A*- and their ability to come home in a timely manner. You may have heard some news about adoptive families being stuck in country when a child's test result comes back positive and denied entry to the US until treatment has been given BUT read the article above. The risk of transmission by children is LESS THAN one percent. With children who already have compromised immune systems the minimum 7 week delay exposes them needlessly to the health risks associated with orphanage life and could be potentially deadly. A family with our agency recently had to return home WITHOUT their child because of TB related issues. Aside from the health risks of staying in an orphanage one day than is necessary and the emotional toll institutional care takes on children these delays also cause financial hardships on adoptive families. That's why it's so important to adoptive families that the TB testing requirement be removed.

If you agree that the testing creates needless delays in bringing children home please read and sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/build-families-not-barriers.html

Please help spread the word.

More on HIV+ Adoption and Education

Positively Adopted is a wonderfully informative website. Check it out.


And THIS is an awesome video about two adoptive families with HIV+ kids.

This is a brief video which discusses risks of transmission within a household


But you still need to know this important basic information. It's HIV 101

CDC and Immigration Ban

Please take a minute to read this article and visit the CDC website (link contained in the article) for futher information. Consider your opinion on the matter.

I am supportive of lifting the ban. Many arguments in favor of the ban are based on fear and lack of education. Some are concerned about the financial impact HIV+ immigrants will make. That is a viable concern in my opinion but one that doesn't sway my support for removing the ban. I am also in favor of lifting the ban because many of the immigrants banned entrance to the US are orphans.

Families who wish to adopt an HIV+ child must apply for costly visa waivers and jump through many bureaucratic hoops. Helpless orphans who contracted HIV through maternal transmission should not be discriminated against for truly they are the most vulnerable in the world. If families are willing to adopt them the process should be the same as adopting a HIV negative child. Today, HIV is a chronic yet manageable disease. HIV positive people who receive treatment can live indefinitely without developing AIDS and be productive members of society.

For more education about HIV/AIDS transmission AVERT has a very informative website.


Lastly, below is a quick video tidbit about possible advancements in HIV transmission prevention that I thought was noteworthy.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Note Worthy

Here are some blogs related to HIV+ and AIDS orphan care, adoption and advocacy.

Advocating for Orphans with HIV

Full House, Full Hands, Full Hearts

Positive Families

HIV Child

Children With AIDS Project

God Given Passions (My Bloggy friend Audrey!)