HIV/AIDS in Wisconsin

[AJE]

HIV/AIDS

AIDS is a leading cause of death among Americans aged 25 to 44. By taking the time to learn the facts about HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and acting on them, we can better protect ourselves and others.


Its best to become aware of HIV transmission and prevention process.
*Gain accurate knowledge of HIV and AIDS facts.
*Personalize the facts so that they become more meaningful to them.
*Develop decision-making skills to avoid the risks of HIV infection.
*Explore advantages in deciding to postpone sex or not to use drugs or alcohol.
*Develop skills to reduce their risk of HIV infection when having sex or when injecting drugs.

:arrow: The following link is updated stats as of Winter 2007:
From the Wisconsin AIDS/HIV Surveillance Summery
http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/aids-hiv...2007Update.pdf

Other Informational Websites:
http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/aids-hiv/
http://www.arcw.org/
http://www.irc-wisconsin.org/
http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/sspw/aidshiv.html


www.wisconsinaidsfund.org/

Northwestern Region
ARCW - Eau Claire
505 Dewey Street South
Eau Claire, WI 54601
715-836-7710

ARCW - Superior
1507 Tower Avenue
Suite 230
Superior, WI 54880
715-394-4009

ARCW - Wausau
1105 Grand Ave. Ste 1
Schofield, WI 54476
715-355-6867

Portage County Health Department
817 Whiting Avenue
Stevens Point Wisconsin
715-345-5350

Washburn County Health Department
222 Oak Street
Spooner, WI 54801

Northeastern Wisconsin
ARCW - Green Bay
445 S. Adams Street
Green Bay, WI 54304
920-437-7400

Fond du Lac County Health Department
160 S Macy Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-929-3085

Sheboygan County Human Services
1011 N 8th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53081
920-459-4382

ARCW Appleton
1103 E. Washington Street
Appleton, WI
920-364-6630

Southwestern Region
AIDS Network
600 Williamson Street
Madison, WI 53703
608-252-6540

ARCW - La Crosse
1707 Main Street
Suite 420
La Crosse, WI 54701
608-785-9866

Beloit Stateline Clinic
100 State Street
Beloit, WI 53511
608-364-6630

ARCW- Madison
121 S. Pinckney, STE 210
Madison, WI
608-258-9103

Southeastern Region
ARCW - Medical Center
820 N Plankinton Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414-273-1991

BestD Clinic
1240 East Brady Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-272-2144

Kenosha County Health Department
714 52nd Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
262-605-6700

ARCW - Kenosha
1212 57th Street
Kenosha, WI
262-657-6641

Planned Parenthood - Racine
834 S Main Street
Racine, WI 53403
262-544-0708

Sixteenth Street Community Clinic
1032 S 16th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204
414-672-1315

STD Specialties
3251 N Holton Street
Milwaukee, WI 53212
414-264-8800

[AJE]

Tell House and Senate Committee Members to end Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage

Target: House Committee
Sponsor: Reproductive Health Reality Check

Studies have shown that abstinence-only sex education actually increases the risk of dangerous sexual behaviors of young people. And an overwhelming 82% of Americans are against abstinence-only programs. So why is the government increasing funding of these programs by $27 million?

Help by signing this petition for the bill. This is your opportunity to speak the honest truth. ~AJE

The federal government's own research concluded that recipients of abstinence-only education were no more likely to abstain from sex, or delay sexual activity. Abstinence-only promotes scientifically inaccurate information and withholds crucial information about HIV/STD and pregnancy prevention. This method leaves young people oblivious to the risks and encourages sexual activity as a form of rebellion.

The House Appropriations Committee, led by Democrat David Obey, will be meeting soon to consider this bill. The Senate subcommittee is set to consider their bill in July.

Take action today to tell them you are tired of funding programs that have been proven ineffective >>

http://go.care2.com/e/sAm3/kOBY/Fj6A
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/747202498

Thank you!
Pers: Care2 Campaign Team

I hope you, House and Senate Committee members, will stop spending precious dollars on the abstinence only education. And that you can trust and understand that we make our own decisions to live our lives. And that it is your House and Senate Committe member job to provide us with the ACCURATE and REAL education for us to make our decisions to live as we choose. Please stop wasting money on abstinence because as sexually transmitted disease continue to increase, more and more money will be spent on the treatments that will continue to add to the growing problem of access to health care, which most of the younger generation (such as college students do not have access to), and the problem will be untreated and continue to spread if we do not have safe sex education. It is better to educate and trust that we can make decisions that will make our future safe and happy.~Sally Tran, Utah

It is time to recreate this system and utilize something that is effective, rather than base it in a values system that, while heartfelt, creates a dangerous situation for our youths in terms of limiting the full spectrum of information.~ Vanessa L. White, Pennsylvania

I have worked in Women's Health for 30 years and I have yet to see an abstinence only program work. Our children need the facts to help protect them. Ideally we all wish they would wait to have sex until marriage but that is not what is happening and in the meantime our youth are contracting STDs and putting their lives at risk.~ Karen McMeechan-Lodge, North Carolina

By teaching an abstinance only agenda you are turning a blind eye to the fact that children WILL have sex despite what you have taught them. This agenda serves only to leave them unprepared for the possible consequinces of their actions. By PROMOTING abstinance yet educating about pregnancy, STD's, safer sex practices, and the possible emotional ramifications of sexual relationships you can help to cover all the issues that young adults may encounter and prepare them for life.~ Kari Pollack, Alaska

Abstinence only education hurts students! Without the knowledge of how to protect our bodies. It's not just about pregnancy. A good friend of mine contracted HIV partly because of inadiquite sex education in school. Abstinence-only will cause him his life.~Hannah Yale, Wisconsin

[AJE]

Be smart about your life, its the only one you'll have...prevention is the key! I love a good time but frankly drugs & sex just aren't worth the risk. This is why I'm advocating; be educated, use protection both just might save your life. I know one too many whom are dealing with their wrongful decisions with contracting STDs; they now need to contend with those awful judgments. Please just be careful, we all want to enjoy our life as a long term! ~Amber Evans, Wisconsin

[AJE]

I know this is off the topic of Wisconsin but I feel the case could just as well be here.

Soldier hid his HIV status, charges say


Associated Press
July 18, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Military and civilian authorities have charged an HIV-positive soldier with assault with a deadly weapon, his disease.

Private First Class Johnny Dalton is accused of having unprotected sex with a teen-aged boy he didn't tell about the infection.

A spokesman for the Army's 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, says Dalton was ordered by his commander in November not to have unprotected sex after it was discovered he was HIV-positive. North Carolina law also prohibits a person infected with the AIDS virus from having unprotected sex. It also requires that sexual partners be notified.

A warrant accuses Dalton of not telling his male partner, an 18-year-old civilian. The teen's mother alerted authorities to the relationship after her son fell ill and told her about it. He has tested positive for HIV.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070717/.../hiv_soldier_1

-Wisconsin Related-

:arrow: The first case of HIV infection in Wisconsin was reported in November 1982 a 40-year-old man who had recently moved here from another state.
:arrow: Two months later, a 33-year-old man became the first state resident reported with AIDS.
:arrow: State says no babies were infected with HIV during birth in ’06
La Crosse Tribune - 7.0 : State says no babies were infected with HIV during birth in ’06

I'm curious about some feedback on this:

Not disclosing HIV status to partners from both a legal and moral perspective. How should Wisconsin judicial system handle these cases? What is your take to this dilemma as parents, friends, heathcare, co-workers, guardians, and teachers? Would you like to see this discussed begining at even a Middle School Level?

I once knew a man who flat out stated if he ever contracted HIV that he would attempt to sleep with every one he knew out of anger. That was the last moment I corresponded with this individual my thought was his intention was pure EVIL. I feel the issue needs to be addressed as if you flat out point blank murdered someone within our court system.

I would also like to see the topic heavily conversed even at a middle school level, before puberty begins for most. I didn’t have sex education until 9th grade. My parents sat down with us to discuss the subject and consequences when we showed interest in the opposite sex back in the 6th grade. Today, I know of way too many girls who were still babies themselves when they began baring children. (For example: One teenage mother from Manitowoc county was only 11 years old when she delivered her first child...today she is the mother of six at 24.) It wrenches my heart to know they won’t enjoy a normal teens life but the thought of the possibility that the child may not know the parent because of a disease just kills.

You die a slow and painful death with this disease; yes I knew people who contracted the disease either via drug use or unprotected sex. Although I feel bad for those whom are now living with HIV/AIDS, I’m so thankful it’s not me!

:idea: Motto to live by: “better to be wise and think with your mind than your hormones. Protect yourself always, for one moment of desire could be your death.”

[AJE]

World's AIDS Day is December 1.

[CarolsCritterCare]

Oh I didn't know that.

Found a website for that as well.........

world aids day - 1 december 2007

[AJE]

Scientists study how HIV hides in body

WASHINGTON - The AIDS virus has hideouts deep in the immune system that today's drugs can't reach. Now scientists finally have discovered how HIV builds one of those fortresses — and they're exploring whether a drug already used to fight a parasite in developing countries just might hold a key to break in.



Scientists study how HIV hides in body on Yahoo! Health