Staying Aware - AIDS

2011 and the Center for Disease Control reports that The New York State Department of Health is recommending a shorter HIV and hepatitis screening window and nucleic acid testing (NAT) for living organ donors following a recent HIV transmission from a kidney donor to a recipient in New York City. The advisory also urges hospitals to question living donors about risky behaviors, including injection drug use. This is the first documented case of HIV transmission by way of a live-donor transplant since improvements in the screening process were initiated in 1985, said a health department spokesperson. The hospital, which, in the interest of patient privacy, the spokesperson declined to identify, followed appropriate protocols in screening the kidney donor. However, the donor apparently had unsafe sex after testing and before surgery to harvest the organ. “Of course this is a rare case, but we felt like we needed to alert centers to this possibility so they can talk to potential donors about risks and do testing closer to the time of surgery,” the spokesperson said. The advisory calls for HIV and hepatitis B and C testing to be performed within 14 days of living-donor donation using NAT, which can detect virus antibodies weeks to months before standard blood tests. NAT is not recommended for organs from deceased donors due to time constraints, as organs soon begin to deteriorate. Infectious disease screening has virtually eliminated HIV transmission through donated organs, blood or tissue. CDC’s most recent HIV-specific organ donation screening recommendations were issued in 1994; updated guidelines from the agency are expected this year.

It was 1981 when the first cases of what is now known as AIDS were reported in the U.S. During the 1980s there was a rapid increase in the number of reported AIDS cases and AIDS deaths. The lack of knowledge had many people fighting to isolate the people with the disease. As the cases grew from gay men to women, children,seniors and drug abusers the debates were intense. It was brutal.

Somewhere between then and now efforts to manage the disease have improved yet it is not good enough. Yes, I said it! It was during the 1980's that my brother contracted the disease through a blood transfusion from the place where one goes to be made well - the hospital. Surprisingly, the screening for HIV/AIDS was not enforced at that time. Many families lost their loved ones due to contaminated blood. Unfortunately, that was then and is in no way acceptable now. Not with the advances made through the awareness and fundraising campaigns, not with the powerful support of the celebrities or even most importantly, the researchers/scientists who have developed drugs to maintain the disease while working to find the cure - NO!

We must be ahead and proactive in taking the precautions, leading confidently, being the exemplar of delivering medical care. The old proverb 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is oh so true and appropriate in everything especially - health.

Winter Snow Storms

Spring Countdown

This winter season is proving to be quite the season. Many states are overwhelmed by the snow storms that just wont seem to let up. Much to the dismay of those who migrated to the south to escape the winters, the winter has made it a point to follow them. It has even caused people to question the Global Warming theory.

More importantly, we also know that this weather may cause an affect on various health related conditions and in worse case fatalities. Some may suffer from the winter blues or the hazards of snow storms . Today I woke up to the early morning reports of the snow storm coverage and suddenly I realized that there was no need for me to complain. After all, this is winter and this is what happens during the winter season. Now, if I can just accept it and begin to focus on the things I need to do to arm myself appropriately - gloves, scarf, hat, coat, boots and layer accordingly, I would be fine.

With that attitude, I began to count down the days to spring. January is almost gone, we have two more months to go. Before you know it Spring will be here and then we'll be complaining of the winter weight or the rain. How about using this time to make healthy choices, you'll be so proud of yourself ;-)

Are you following up on the Swine Flu?

Last weekend while enjoying my get away in Palm Springs, I saw the news covering the cases of Swine Flu in Mexico and the US on CNN. I knew at that point that this was going to become the next big health topic for the next few weeks. Each day the cases grow and the concern deepens as the number of infected people increases. Now, the discussion/debate is whether it should be considered as an epidemic or pandemic alert.

An epidemic affects a large portion of a population in a community or region at the same time. If the cases of the Swine Flu were only reported in Mexico, it may be considered as an epidemic.

Pandemic is a sudden outbreak that spreads rather quickly throughout a whole region, continent, or the world. For example, the cases of the Swine Flu are currently recorded in Mexico, U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Israel, Spain and New Zealand and there may be more countries reporting the outbreak shortly.

There are levels of issuing a pandemic alert:

Levels 1-3 are for the animals that infect each other with very few cases of human infection.

Level 4 takes the human to human contact – human to animal contact which in turn affects a community.

Levels 5/6 is the widespread human infection.

Post Peak - monitors the period after the cases have dropped and continues to monitor to see if there is a second wave of new cases.

Post Pandemic – time to prepare for the next possible outbreak by taking the proper steps to handle any future occurrences.

The Swine Flu is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease on pigs which can then be transmitted to humans who are exposed to the infected swine and then through human to human contact. The symptoms are similar to having the flu – feeling feverish, lethargic, no appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.


Unfortunately, the death tolls have risen within the last few days in Mexico. Although there are no deaths reported from the other countries, we must all take note of the outbreak and prepare to follow the proper cautionary steps as advised by the health care professionals/health care governmental agencies. It is also important to note that there are no vaccines available for humans at this time.

One simple rule that is always advised even by your parents, wash your hands. It is also advised that you refrain from traveling while under the weather. It’s a tough call especially if you are all packed and ready to go on a great escape. However, an ounce of prevention is certainly worth more that a pound of cure. Do not dismiss the news coverage as something that does not or will not affect you. Know the symptoms and follow through with a call to your doctor or a visit to the closest emergency room.

Heads Up to Trauma and Injuries

The recent death of the actress Natasha Richardson has jolted quite a number of people who are trying to make sense of this tragedy. How could this happen? According to the reports, she was taking a beginners course and while she was at the bottom of the run, in the area that they call the flats, she fell and tumbled down the hill. Her ski instructor also said that she did not hit anyone or anything. She appeared to be fine as she stated that she was fine. The events that followed hours after her fall quickly turned into a bedside vigil and many awaited anxiously for news of her progress.

Although we may not often hear about these forms of death related injuries, there are an estimated 1.5 million head injuries that occur in the United States each year. Statistics report that each year 52,000 deaths are a result of a traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, an estimated 1.6 million to 3.8 million are sports related.

Keep in mind that there are also work related injuries (veterans, construction, moving, delivery, etc.) motorcycle accidents, cars, skating, skiing, even playing in the playground that may cause a severe brain trauma injury. It is very important that you seek medical attention as some studies have shown that all brain damage does not occur at the moment of impact but rather evolves over the ensuing hours and days after the initial injury, due to brain swelling and inadequate oxygen and blood flow to the injured brain. Time is of the essence. Some brain injuries may need surgical intervention to avoid fatal outcomes.

Many who have survived head trauma injuries had to have some form of intense rehabilitation, a startling 5.3 million Americans, which is 2% of the U.S. population, are currently living with disabilities.

Heads Up:
-Wear helmets
-Buckle up put on your seat belts
-Avoid speeding/wreckless driving
-Keep your eyes out on the road for the irresponsible driver
-Do not drink and drive
-Avoid showing off when you want to impress others with your skills whether it is a hand stand, a somersault, a wheelie, or some other stunt that can cause injury – abstain - do not do it!