The last question of the week was interesting. I had to do some research about PEP and express my feelings about taking it if I was stuck with a needle. I was interested in the research because I plan to work in health care so this could very well be my own situation, or someone that I know. I decided that I would choose to take the medication despite the side effects. Some of those included vomiting, fatigue and diarrhea. I felt as though I could deal with these for a month, or less if needed. When I read that if you were stuck with a large bore needle you would need to take the triple drug combination, as oppose to the double, I found that the triple can cause more severe side effects. These included gastrointestinal and liver problems. I think I would still choose to use the medicine despite this because testing positive would be more detrimental. As I read some of our classmate’s posts I saw most of them would choose to take the medication. I’m glad that I was asked this question because it pertains to my actual life.
Did You Know?
In 2007 a college in Delaware was very afraid of an HIV scare. A woman prostitute was caught by police after running naked through the dorms. She told police that she was HIV positive and had sex with about 10 men on campus for money. She was unsure if condoms were used or not. Cheyney University urged students to go get tested, especially if they had sex with this woman. Outrageous! I guess for some odd reason I thought that college students would have a little more sense than this. I can’t find any updated information about the student’s status, but I will continue to look and inform you all if I do.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17854897&BRD=1725&PAG=461&dept_id=45529&rfi=15
Sorry guys, it's not letting me embed the video for some reason. Can you imagine if this was your mom!!??http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeufNA-Rbc0
Hey Jessica,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting early! And OH. MY. GAWD. with that video! Some of those really funny commercials come from Europe...I think America is a little too uptight for that kind of content, but at least it sends a message in a humorous way!
I chose the triple combo for my answer, too. I'll have to go back to the discussion boards and see if anyone decided on taking just the double combo. I can't imagine why they would...it would be our lives at stake!
I hadn't heard about your Did You Know story...that sounds crazy! I bet that scared the living daylights out of some of those college boys. I wonder if any of them came up positive?
How many more classes do you have until you graduate? The next graduation is just around the corner, you're not far off now. Good luck!
Wow, I know my mom would NEVER do that. I really don't think I know any mom that would be cool with that. My mom has always talked about safe sex and using protection, but I know she would not be cool with something going on in her house. Especially when she could hear everything that was going on!
ReplyDeleteI also plan to work in the health care industry so I found this week's QOTW to be very interesting. I would be so scared if I was stuck with someone else's needle. I know the PEP treatment would make me feel awful but it is far better than being diagnosed with HIV.
I have enjoyed reading your blog this semester! I feel like everyone is on the same page. While this class may have been a lot of work, I feel very knowledgeable about HIV now. Our knowledge of HIV/AIDS will be very useful in our careers in health care.
I am so glad that this is the last blog!! I am tired and overwhelmed from a rough semester. I appreciated all of your input on my blogs, and I loved reading your opinions on the assignments.
ReplyDeleteHave a good summer! By the way I was shocked when I read this last Did You Know. I would only assume college students would be a little smarter than that.