H.I.V., Anyone?

[RichieB16]

HIV and AIDS have only been around for 20-30 years. So while HIV can cause AIDS and will for the vast majority infected. However it is not yet known for certain whether it will period as there has been more than one case of HIV dissapearing from an infected person.

Actually, HIV was first discovered in 1959.  Most believe it has been in the human population since the mid 1940s (probably from humans eating primates that were infected with the SIV virus which mutated).  I believe the first case in the US was identified in 1969.

It is true that a couple of people have had it disappear, but there is by no means any evidence to suggest that it won't eventually lead to AIDS.  With the exception of those few rare cases, everyone has either gotten AIDS or died before the had the chance to.

Remember, AIDS is not a disease but a syndrome.  When the immune system drops below a certain strength you have AIDS.  HIV attacks T-helper cells (which are part of the immune system) and therefore weaken it.  Once it manages to weaken it far enough-the person is said to have AIDS.  Medication coctails can help keep the immune system strong and to fight but in the end it is a losing battle.  But, patients who are given the proper medication can sometimes live for 20 years or more with HIV before AIDS sets in.

Also, AIDS doesn't kill you because you can conceviably live without an immune system.  What kills you is a secondary infection.  Because your immune system is so weak, it is easy to get other illnesses.  If I remember right, the majority of people who die as a result of AIDS are actually killed by pneumonia.

[Rifleman]

I don't know if anyone here has any idea of what its like to see death by HIV or not and I really haven't read the entire thread, but from a very personal experience, its nothing to wish on anyone and to think there may be people around who are willingly transferring this, either to or from their own body makes me want to hunt them down.........

...........this is not for dramatic effect, but I lost a brother to it, and I'm not joking about this...........its a nasty thing to see...........  :'(

[Souichiro]

If you'd ever cut anyone else when shaving then I'd suggest an electric razor!

Not others...

Shaving ones self while still very sleepy and not using any shaving cream and such... just the warm water from underneath the showe tends to lead to small cuts...

Cheers

Soui ( who like it when the red water comes out)

[Woodlouse2002]

Not others...

Shaving ones self while still very sleepy and not using any shaving cream and such... just the warm water from underneath the showe tends to lead to small cuts...

Cheers

Soui ( who like it when the red water comes out)

The lesson to be learnt here is don't shower while asleep and use shaving cream. Going by those rules i've never cut myself shaving.

[beaky]

The only person I know with HIV who's still alive would have an interesting opinion on this latest "fad" (which sounds like an urban myth, frankly, but who knows?).
BTW, he's hetero, white, middle class (sort of) and not a needle user... he got it from an ex-girlfriend who didn't even know she was infected. This was back when public awareness in the US was just making headway; her infection was discovered during an unrelated medical test. She had the guts to call her recent partners to warn them when she found out, and although he tested positive, my friend was able to get on a treatment program early and is still healthy, although he's saddled with the risk of developing AIDS, the medical regimen, etc... not to mention that it's put a damper on his social life- he insists on being up-front about it, and it's not exactly a turn-on.
Why the hell would anyone volunteer for that?

Right... they're stupid!

[H]

Depends on how and with what you shave.... Personally I've cut myself enough times!  ;D

More importantly, where.

And if, for some strange reason, using a straight edge, never swipe in the same direction as the position in which you're holding it.

[TacitBlue]

More importantly, where.

How about in the living room? the kitchen maybe? or perhaps somewhere more public...  ;D

On a seriouse note:

It sounds to me like these people who actually want HIV are incredibly and unbelievably naive. I don't think that they understand the risks involved and they just think that it will make them one of the "in crowd".

[RichieB16]

A lot of this is probably just talk too.  I would bet that the majority of these people are just shooting their mouths off and I'll bet if they actually had the chance to intentionally contract HIV-they wouldn't.

[jordonj]

I don't know if anyone here has any idea of what its like to see death by HIV

First of all Rifleman, my deepest sympathies to you for the loss of your brother.

I have known many people who have died of HIV and AIDS...not all of them Gay...or even men for that matter (which is why my favorite movie is still Philadelphia).

Yes, it is nasty, but there are some crazies out there...I hope it's an urban legend.

And by the way, the main reason it spread like wildfire in the Gay community here in America was because of Bathhouses (and they didn't take baths in those places either!)

As far as I understand, in Europe, Africa, and other places, it's spread more in the Straight population than the gay one.

But it is a terrible epidemic.  And teens are more active than ever these days...I fear for my daughter.

Well, while we have different opinions, this still has not spun out of control!  Kudos to the SimV community (one I am proud to be a part of!)