The bottom line in enjoying life with HIV in as healthy fashion as
possible is that the infected person needs to stay informed about options
including but not limited to medical treatment.
The person with HIv / AIDS, whether in New York, San Francisco or Guam,
needs to be able to discuss treatment options with his or her physician,
needs to know when to take medications, proper nutrition, options for
financing the expensive treatment drugs and generally how to stay as -
healthy - as - possible.
An HIV infected person on Guam needs to know when to inquire about new
medications coming to market and needs to know when to inquire about new
medications coming to market and needs to know which side effects are to
be expected with which medications, what to avoid when taking certain
medication, whether to take medication before or after meals and when to
see a doctor, etc.
Special opportunistic infections require special treatment. For HIV
infected women who are of child bearing age, there are special concerns.
Changes in recommended dosages of medications, adding or deleting
medications are important developments that people with HIV need to keep
informed. Although the list of what HIV infected people need to know is
endless, there several solutions to keeping informed.
Arrow recommends that every person infected with HIV or AIDS subscribe to
at least one national magazine for people with HIV.
There are a variety of magazines including POZ, which is a slick
publication with lots of advertising dollars to back up the production.
They charge $19.94 for a year's subscription, but in the past it has been
free to people who identify themselves as HIV positive. You may check
out POZ at 1279 Old Chelsea Station, new York City, NY 10113. Their
telephone is (212) 242 - 1900
Highly recommended is a Chicago publication which is printed bi - monthly
and called Positively Aware. It is a straightforward, easy to read
publication covering in detail important topics for those infected. In
the July / August 1996 issue they provided a chart with advice about
taking a variety of commonly prescribed HIV / AIDS related medications
and in the November / December 1995 issue provided a two page chart with
telephone numbers for patient assistance from drug companies for HIV /
AIDS related medications. In Aware devoted two pages to a chart
identifying potential drug interactions.
In other issues Positively Aware has explained about protease
inhibitors,discussed when to apply for disability, how to avoid viral
hepatitis, what viral load means, discussed coping with HIV / AIDS
nutritional needs, and oral care. In addition to easy to understand
articles, it has a section called News Briefs which highlights briefly
what's new.
this is a no nonsense publication with limited advertising addressing
real needs of people with HIV / AIDS. Positively Aware costs $15 for six
bimonthly issues per year. To subscribe, send your name and address with
the check to Positively Aware, 1258 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
- 3292. It is mailed in a plain, sealed envelope.
there are other publications too such as AIDS Treatment News, being
Alive, Body Positive and the NAPWA Link about which we have some information.
One last note, the National Association of people with AIDS is the mother
of all organizations for people infected with AIDS. Individuals should
write NAPWA for information about membership which is $65 per year for
HIV positive individuals and $80 for others.
NAPWA Membership includes bi - monthly copies NAPWA publications like
Medical Alert, NAPWA Notes and the Active Voice as well as information
about discounts on medications. If you would like to join NAPWA, write
them at NAPWA, 1413 K. Street, Washington DC 20005
If you would like a copy of NAPWA's Medical Alert you can also request
that, A subscription to Medical Alert, is typically eight pages,
features medications and other topics is printed in English and Spanish
and is free.
Copies of some of the publications discussed in this article are
available for review by arrangement through Arrow at 734 - 4080.
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Last updated : Saturday, October 19, 1996
by the Webmistress
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