#mother to child hiv transmission

[fidicushiv]

Call : +917997101303 | Whatsapp : https://wa.me/917997101505 | Website : https://fidicus.com

నాకున్న HIV బేబీ కి రాకుండా కనగలనా? How To Stop HIV trasnmission from HIV Mother To Baby | Treatment

Learn how to prevent HIV transmission from mother to baby with effective measures during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding. This video covers key steps, including antiretroviral therapy (ART) for mothers, safe delivery methods, and the importance of medical care. Discover how timely intervention can drastically reduce the risk of HIV transmission and ensure a healthy start for the baby. Watch now to explore homeopathic support alongside conventional treatment!

Dr. Bharadwaz | HIV AIDS | Health & Fitness | Homeopathy, Medicine & Surgery | Clinical Research

#HIVPrevention #MotherToChildTransmission #HIVAwareness #HealthyPregnancy #StopHIV

#DrBharadwaz #Helseform #Fidicus #Clingenious

#ClingeniousHealth #HelseformFitness #FidicusHomeopathy #ClingeniousResearch

#FidicusHIV #HIV #AIDS #HumanImmunodeficiencyViruses #AcquiredImmuneDeficiencySyndrome

#Treatment #Cure #Prevent #Relieve #Medicine #Vaccine

#AlternativeTherapy #AdjuvantTherapy #AlternativeMedicine #AlternativeSystem

Specialty Clinic Fidicus HIV highest success with homeopathy Improve Wellness | Increase Longevity | Addresses Questions

[frogeyedape]

Omg and people two cubes down from you have no idea what your abbreviations and acronyms and special jargon are and sometimes you'll be talking with another professional in the field and *think* you're both using the same acronym but you're NOT.

No one tells you when you get a Big Serious Job™ how many fucking abbreviations you’ll be forced to learn.

[coochiequeens]

Babies are not props to be used to validate gender feelz. And unfortunately this is just the start of a long list of why this guy should not be around kids

By Genevieve Gluck February 26, 2024

A trans-identified male residing in Canada who claims to be HIV positive and inserts progesterone rectally has been allegedly “breastfeeding” his child with the support of established medical clinics. Former men’s rights activist Murray Pearson, 52, who uses the name Margaret (Margie) Fancypants on social media, has been criticized after he shared an image of himself at a lactation clinic holding a young infant.

The photo was first posted three months ago on Reddit community titled r/TransLater, a board dedicated to males who transition later in life. In a post titled, “Milk, baby, milk! MTF 52,” wherein Pearson appears ecstatic that one “benefit of being transfemme” includes “that you can be pregnant and get drunk” with no undue problems.

“I have a baby almost 9 months old… I cannot wait to connect through feeding. And yes, I will stop drinking before it negatively affects anything they drink!” said Pearson

“This is a wish I have had for decades. My egg cracked a year ago on December 12 and I realized I could nurse my baby already on the way. That lit a fire under me, and I have gone from having lean pectoral muscle in March to full B-cups now and growing fast,” he added.

Pearson continues on to claim to have the assistance of “medical expertise,” including “five physicians in three clinics in two world class hospitals,” with one of the clinics named as the Goldfarb Clinic in Montreal.

“Two endocrinologists, Newman and Goldfarb, created a protocol to induce lactation in adoptive mothers,” Pearson explained in the comments. “It works for trans women as well, it works best when breast growth is mature but I am taking domperidone while my primary breast growth is underway. By an astonishing coincidence, I live right next to their breastfeeding institute!”

According to statements Pearson has made on social media, he began identifying as transgender in December 2022, and the following year, began taking progesterone. Approximately eight months ago, Pearson announced that he had found his “true self” as a result of performing in a drag show for a friend’s birthday celebration.

Earlier this month, Pearson described the first moment he believed he was a woman after trying on used women’s clothing at a thrift store. “I realized that the beautiful curvy woman in the mirror was the real me and I could be her every day… after more than two decades of stealth resistance. 87 days later I started spiro, 14 days after that estradiol, and now I am looooooving my boobs. Having curves without fakery is AMAZING.”

In a post made to the TransLater community last week, Pearson described how to insert the female hormone progesterone rectally, as a suppository, rather than swallowing it as a tablet.

“My breasts get a wonderful plumpness and pleasing jiggliness when I have had progesterone the night before…. You’ll need some lubricant (personal lube such as K-Y jelly or similar, or silicone personal lube which may be overkill, or some sort of non-irritating oil; I use my own mixture of cocoa butter and shea butter) to allow free clearance for the capsule… Some people simply pop the capsule in their mouth to use saliva, but I like a more effective lube,” he commented.

Pearson has also shared images of himself in a blue and pink wig attempting to eat ice cream containing the hormone in a seductive manner.

Disturbingly, Pearson has also revealed that he is HIV positive and is aware that the deadly virus can be transmitted through breastfeeding.

“I am HIV+, continuously controlled for 18.5 years now,” said Pearson in a Reddit post six months ago. “The viral suppression into undetectability [sic] makes sexual transmission impossible. But transmission through milk IS possible if viral load becomes detectable so I will test viral load monthly (opposed to semiannually) to keep a VERY close eye on that.”

In a shocking display of further disregard for the child’s health, Pearson speculated as to whether his experiment would qualify him as a candidate for the participation in academic research.

“Fortunately, Dr Lenore Goldfarb, creator of the protocol, has her clinic at the same hospital we birthed our baby in. I may even end up in the medical literature.” While again discussing his HIV status in relation to ‘breastfeeding’ a child, Pearson alleges that his case is being documented by infectious diseases researcher Dr. Marina Klein, who is affiliated with McGill University.

Pearson in a “before” picture posted to Reddit tracking his transitioning progress.

Reduxx reached out to Dr. Klein to request information on her involvement in Pearson’s experimental lactation, and she confirmed that she had been monitoring Pearson for his HIV infection at the Chronic Viral Illness Service of the McGill University Health Centre. However, she stated she had not been involved in his transition nor had she been consulted on his induction of lactation.

“It’s important to emphasize that we do not recommend breast feeding for people with HIV as this is the only way to be certain that no HIV transmission will occur after a baby is born,” Dr. Klein said in her response. “However, guidelines have evolved over time with the recognition that the risk of transmission is very low when HIV infection is undetectable with effective therapy … If, after informed discussion, a person expresses a wish to breastfeed they may chose to do so provided they are willing to follow a close protocol of viral monitoring and have their baby followed closely with pediatric specialists who would generally recommend that they receive preventive medication.”

Dr. Klein further states that Pearson had expressed a desire to breastfeed and then had been referred to an endocrinologist.

Prior to identifying as transgender, Pearson was involved in politically advocating for the US-based, anti-feminist men’s rights non-profit A Voice for Men (AVFM).

The organization was founded in 2009 by Paul Elam, who has said that there would no longer be “any place to hide on the internet” for “lying bitches,” and members associated with the group have previously published personal information about women who opposed their activities.

Pearson has linked to the organization’s website on his YouTube channel biography, where he has uploaded videos of himself advocating positions held by AVFM, such as accusing women of lying about sexual violence.

In one video shared in July 2013, titled “Rape, Posters, Traffic Lights and Consent,” Pearson claims that he was previously drugged and raped by a woman on the University of Alberta campus.

He also encourages discussion of posters produced by Men’s Rights Edmonton which featured the headline, ‘Don’t Be That Girl’, created with the intention of parodying an anti-rape campaign designed by a women’s rape crisis shelter, Sexual Assault Voices of Edmonton (SAVE), which used the slogan, ‘Don’t Be That Guy.’

Pearson has also been active in a Facebook group for “trans lesbians,” a term which labels men who call themselves transgender as same-sex attracted women.

Criticism of Pearson’s claims to be “lactating” and “breastfeeding” have focused on concerns that he is “motivated… to experience sexual arousal from lactation,” as one X user, Lulu Solomon, said.

“Because it is not motivated by what is best for the baby it’s automatically risky because the baby becomes a prop in the fantasy,” she stated, alongside a photo of Pearson at the Goldfarb clinic.

This is not the first controversy that has involved trans-identified males breastfeeding babies, with a number of recent examples triggering concern over the past year.

Last year, a lactation professional in Australia along with a women’s rights campaigner were warned that they had broken the law after criticizing a trans-identified male who had boasted of breastfeeding his infant. Shortly after, a trans-identified male in the UK dismissed critics of the practice as “transphobes” after he posted images of himself with a baby latched to his nipple.

UPDATE 02/26/24: The article has been updated to include comment received from Dr. Klein.

[feminegra]

Belize, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Eliminate Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis

Belize, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have successfully eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. This notable achievement, certified by the World Health Organization (WHO), marks a critical step forward in the global effort to combat these diseases. Congratulations, #Belize, #Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines on achieving the elimination of…

[safehandsclinic2]

Sexologist Doctor in Delhi

Key Differences between STDs and Sexual Problems

Here are the key differences between sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexual problems like erectile dysfunction (ED) or low libido: STDs are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that are transmitted through sexual contact, whereas sexual problems like ED or low libido are typically related to physical, psychological, or hormonal factors affecting sexual function. For those dealing with either STDs or sexual health issues, consulting a sexologist doctor in Delhi can provide the right diagnosis and treatment to improve sexual well-being.

1. Cause:

STDs: Caused by infections, which can be viral, bacterial, or parasitic, such as HIV, herpes, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.

Sexual Problems: Often due to physical, psychological, or hormonal factors. For example, ED can result from blood flow issues, while low libido might be linked to hormonal imbalances, stress, or mental health concerns.

2. Transmission:

STDs: Spread primarily through sexual contact. Some can also be transmitted through non-sexual means like blood transfusion or from mother to child.

Sexual Problems: Not contagious and do not spread from person to person.

3. Symptoms:

STDs: Symptoms can include sores, rashes, discharge, pain during urination, or genital discomfort, but many STDs can be asymptomatic as well.

Sexual Problems: Manifest as difficulties related to sexual function, such as inability to achieve or maintain an erection (ED), reduced sexual desire, or performance issues, without external physical symptoms.

4. Treatment:

STDs: Treated with medication, often antibiotics for bacterial infections or antiviral drugs for viral infections.

Sexual Problems: Managed through a combination of medical treatments , lifestyle changes, or hormonal treatments depending on the underlying cause.

5. Impact on Health:

STDs: Can lead to serious health complications if untreated, such as infertility, organ damage, or increased risk of HIV transmission. For effective STD treatment in Delhi, timely medical intervention is crucial.

Sexual Problems: Primarily affect sexual function and emotional well-being, but do not pose direct physical health risks unless linked to an underlying condition like cardiovascular disease.

6. Prevention:

STDs: Prevented by practicing safe sex, using condoms, getting vaccinated (for HPV and hepatitis), and regular testing.

Sexual Problems: Prevention focuses on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, maintaining cardiovascular health, and seeking help for mental health issues.

These distinctions are important for understanding how each condition affects sexual health and overall well-being.

Dr. Vinod Raina, Sexologist Doctor

Address: E-34 Ekta Apartment, saket New Delhi – 110017

Contact: 7687878787, 9871605858

[cocoonhospital]

Looking for the best birthing center in jaipur? choose Cocoon Hospital for luxury care and a best delivery experience.

Pregnancy Care

At Cocoon Hospital, The Department of Obstetrics includes a team of expert gynaecologists, IVF Specialist, High risk pregnancies foetal medicine experts, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologist and skilled nursing staff. We provide comprehensive care ranging from pre-natal care to post-natal care.

We are also equipped with one of the most advanced neonatal care team supported by best NICU infrastructure to ensure that complex and high-risk pregnancies can be managed including extremely premature birthing.

Prenatal Care

Staying healthy during pregnancy is the utmost important for the mother and baby. Prenatal care is not just for you but for your bundle of joy too so that your journey to Cocoon is happy and a peaceful one.

Reduce the risk of pregnancy complications (if any) by following a safe and healthy diet for proper foetal health and development.

Our team of experts is always available to provide guidance in the entire nine-monthjourney, ensuring the proper and safe medication.

Antenatal Care

ANC is a healthcare service which is beyond maternity care. There are series of consultations, tests, treatments, scans, check-ups, and discussions related to the health of mother and baby.

A high quality prenatal or Antenatal Care (ANC) to educate you and your better half on birth, breastfeeding, delivery, and parenting etc. From minimizing the risk of mother-to-child disease transmission (HIV) to encouraging the use of a skilled birth attendant, ANC is womb-like care that caters to all your needs.

The prenatal classes and the counselling sessions involved in Antenatal Care is assisted and designed by experts, highly accomplished clinicians, and nurses so that you experience the best pregnancy journey. Cocoon delivers the best in women, new-born and children’s healthcare.

read more about us and book your appointment now!

[sekwanele]

Maternal Health Knock-on Effects at Large

Women have always been crucial in families, being the skeleton of how the home is structured. I wonder how people survive without a women figure, which I am privileged to have. I realise that this is not a reality for most South Africans. This led me to do some research, to which 42% of households are female-led in South Africa with KZN ranking 3rd for provinces, (Cowling, 2023). Research states that illnesses like HIV are more common in females than men, (Statistics South Africa, 2022). This guided my thoughts into a maze we call societies we live in. I realised that once the mother is infected or sick it affects the child or foetus mostly through mother to child transmission. Therefore, is maternal and child health really important to society?

In KZN communities, which are mostly rural, maternal care services are still difficult to obtain at Primary health care centres, where there are staff shortages, equipment shortages and dysfunctional emergency services, (Sibiya et al., 2023). The mothers get terrible treatment at the hospitals and clinics, such as disrespectful staff, of which most of us have had that experience before. On top of this other socioeconomic factors like those living in rural South Africa struggle with no money to attend clinics, and transport is a problem get there for some, (Ewing et al., 2020). These difficulties in managing maternal health have a knock-on effect on the already critically ill healthcare system. In the sense that these women who had manageable antenatal health problems which were not managed are then circulated in the health system to manage often fatal secondary complications of both mother and child, (Costa et al., 2014). This puts a strain on the hospital which requires more money to keep it facilities functional to accommodate these people. Thus requiring more increases in taxes to generate this money, proves the importance of maintaining maternal health and child health in society.

Research shows that poor communities have reduced antenatal care due to poor education, having no paternal support and having multiple children among other factors, (Rosa et al. 2014). This could lead to premature pregnancy, low birth weight and increased maternal and child mortality, (Rosa et al. 2014). Untreated hypertension during pregnancy increases the chance of CVA during childbirth, heart diseases and foetal growth restriction. These conditions would now require a multidisciplinary team approach, like for example Occupational Therapists. This can assist the baby meet all developmental milestones if for example they were born prematurely as a result of poor antennal care. They would also look to improve the occupational function of the baby’s mother with the CVA through intervention. Of course, this is difficult with this being South Africa. In rural clinics, therapists usually do outreach once a month making it difficult to keep track of intervention progress. Often the therapist will not have enough equipment like splinting material or adequate assistive devices. The clients thus struggle to get to the clinics meaning that the therapist has to do home visits. Where they struggle as the client demand is high in the communities where both mother and child need assistance. Often times adaptations need to be made at a ground level with what the client has in the home, where there is collaboration between the client and therapist.

In conclusion, it is vital importance that we take care of our mothers so they can take care of our future presidents of this nation and society. It is crucial that as healthcare workers we understand our privilege and to stay true to our oaths and remind ourselves why we started. Which was to help those who are in need, provide information to those who lack knowledge and assist those mothers who already go through a lot to get the antenatal care they need. The knock-on effect of neglected antenatal care has devastating consequences for the mother, the child, the community, society and the economy. Therefore, it is crucial that we come to grips with the importance of maternal and child health.

reference list

Mlotshwa, P. R., & Sibiya, M. N. (2023). Pregnant Women's Views Regarding Maternity Facility-Based Delivery at Primary Health Care Facilities in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(15), 6535. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20156535

Morris-Paxton, A. A., Reid, S., & Ewing, R. G. (2020). Primary healthcare services in the rural Eastern Cape, South Africa: Evaluating a service-support project. African journal of primary health care & family medicine, 12(1), e1–e7. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v12i1.2207

Rosa, C. Q., Silveira, D. S., & Costa, J. S. (2014). Factors associated with lack of prenatal care in a large municipality. Revista de saude publica, 48(6), 977–984. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910.2014048005283

Maternity | High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Risks | Corewell Health. (2024). Beaumont.org. https://www.beaumont.org/conditions/pregnancy-high-blood-pressure#:~:text=High%20blood%20pressure%20during%20pregnancy%20can%20place%20extra%20stress%20on

South Africa: female-headed households, by province. (n.d.). Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1114301/distribution-of-female-headed-households-in-south-africa-by-province/

[geezliberia]

HIV/AIDS in Liberia: 34,000 People Affected, Progress Made in Treatment

A new report from the National AIDS Commission of Liberia, in partnership with UNAIDS, reveals that an estimated 34,000 people in the country are living with HIV, including both adults and children. The report highlights that there have been 1,000 new HIV infections and an additional 1,000 AIDS-related deaths. Vertical transmission, where HIV is passed from mother to child, currently stands at…

[thalenteninela]

Child and maternal health

How often have you come across statistics saying?

Maternal mortality is unacceptably high, about 287 000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth in the year 2020. And almost 95% of those maternal deaths occurred in lower- and middle-income countries. Maternal death occurred almost every 2 minutes in 2020 (WHO, 2024).

Or maybe you have heard one of the South African government officials sharing that the infant mortality rate for 2021 is estimated at 24.1 per 1000 live births.

And wondered why should you care?

Your favourite reflectionist is back behind the keyboard, and today we are unpacking Maternal and Child health and why is it important in society and to OT.

Although the terminology maybe of general knowledge, pardon me as I feel the need to define my terms.

Maternal and child health is the health of women and children during the stages of their pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum stage (WHO,2024).

Here is a video of a Dr resuscitating an infant to convince you further: ***note not for sensitive viewers* https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMrUtSUay/  

Let’s discuss our stats:

Statistics South Africa found that our country has made progress on the maternal mortality rate, the ratio decreased from 105,9 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2019 to 88,0 in 2020 (Stats SA, 2022). Albeit this statistical discrepancy may be considered insignificant to talk about in a positive light, others might even ask, what about the 88,0 that are still dying

I remind myself and my audience that maternal and child health is not just about those who die, what about those children and women who survive and live with long term disability or illness. In an attempt to find literature that speaks to maternal and child health, the first articles speak about the maternal mortality rate, and I do acknowledge its relevance in the topic, but as I continued reading I started asking myself, why do people who define health as a ‘state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not just the absence of disease’ (WHO, 1946), are now defining health with just mortality rate. Surely there is a better stat to highlight! and whilst researching the death rates is valuable information, as it should inform practice of the need for more prevention.

I am saying let’s move a step forward and talk about the mother to child HIV transmission, let’s talk about post-partum depression, let’s talk about malnutrition, lets talk about the social lived realities of women and children in patriarchal, hegemonistic and precarious conditions. Let’s talk about why Gogo’s are becoming parents to they grandchildren?

Now that I have your attention, I think child and maternal health is important to society because, firstly for the more obvious reason women and children are part of society and they well being matters. It is also increasingly being acknowledged that the stage between birth and 2 years of age is a critical period of opportunity to shape children’s long-term physical, cognitive and emotional health, the key to a more successful generation is in prioritising the well being of children. With this understanding then the National Early Childhood development strategy puts emphasis on Early Childhood development.

Society then needs to find a way of maximising on this window of opportunity, providing sensory stimulation and exploration, but in the contexts where our ECDs are just perceived as day care centers, meaning those who have someone to care for them during the day will be kept at home until they are at age of school entry. Whilst our government has made it mandatory that all children first attend grade R before starting school, the reality remains that these ECDs and schools most of the time don’t have any toys for means of this required stimulation. We went to ECD centres in our community block and in one found hired teachers who had found alternative ways to provide the necessary stimulation and learning, yet in another the children would only come in and must play in a shack with illegal connections and wires hanging over the walls, is making ECD attendance effective when these centres are not supported with resources? I am sure the centre running in the shack is unregistered but is way cheaper for the parents. This then highlight the systemic oppression and injustice, where we say your child will only achieve all that your money can buy, what about those living on child support grant and can’t afford a R2 000 care? And how prepared are ECDs for care of special need children.

This calls then for critical approaches to OTs, that we find ways to make sure that children from both centres learn and explore thereby addressing the social injustice caused by poverty, so even though parents cant afford the ECD up the streets, we say no its fine we will do stimulation and develop programs that help learners maximize their learning even though the family can’t afford the mandated ECD care, what a beautiful profession we are in!

The Buffalo city declaration amongst many things also call for strengthening the role of parents and communities in the provisioning of ECD services, bringing back the duties to society.

Maternal health affects the health of future generations

Prenatal care helps prevent complications and educate women about steps to ensuring a healthy pregnancy and infant, preventing disability, death or illness. Poor maternal health is linked to poor infant health, as poor maternal health leads to premature birth and perhaps mother to child transfer of HIV. Even though South Africa runs a successful PMTCT (Prevention-of-mother-to child-transmission), the rate of mother-to-child transmission was 1.3% in 2017, down from 3.6% in 2011 (Christopher, 2020).

Although I speak about illnesses, remember the definition of health above, let us look at the social well-being of these women, who most of the time bear children they hadn’t planned, and whilst living in poverty but now having to find ways to provide for the child and themselves. Women are oppressed by structural and systemic barriers in their access to and consumption of health, OT then again with its creativity needs to find ways to support these clients, adopting a more client-centred approach. One of my clients who used substances was a sex worker and heroin addict living on the streets, with no family, and no sense of future all she could do was prostitute her body to support her needs. She eventually got pregnant and somehow ended up in the hospital, in her childbirth experience she developed psychosis. Seeing her a few months later, she would never talk about her history and whenever you ask, she would cry. I remember another case in which a mother after drinking during pregnancy had a miscarriage which led to her depression. These are the realities of our South African people, and I can’t help but wonder, what if they were assisted better during pregnancy, on which reflection would I end this blog.

[ghanashowbizonline]

News Today - National Aids Control Programme laments increase in mother-to-child HIV transmission

Ghana Showbiz News – we break all trending daily news as it happens. Get daily comprehensive summary of the recent news, sports news & top stories that have rocked the online scene. The National Aids Control Programme (NACP) has reported a troubling rise in mother-to-child HIV transmissions despite the implementation of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) initiative. Dr.…

[dankusner]

Now, hear this / Pay attention to me

’Cause I'm a rich, white girl / And it's plain to see

I got every kind of thing / That the money can buy 

 Let me tell you all about it / Let me amplify

I got diamonds / You heard about those

I got so many that I can't close my safe 

At night 

In the dark

Lying awake 

In a sick dream...

The diva destroyed Dallas From start to finish, Lennox absolutely killed at recent SMU gig 

By DANIEL KUSNER | Oct. 19, 2007 

In one word — flawless. After her sixth song, Annie Lennox sat alone at a baby grand piano at Southern Methodist University's McFarlin Auditorium last Sunday and finally spoke to her excruciatingly polite and devoted audience. 

"I've waited in my hotel room all day to do this show," she said in a gorgeous Scottish brogue. "I can't take time between concerts to do much cookery or domestic chores." And like a tough blues mama, she soulfully launched into "Here Comes the Rain Again." For 25 years, Lennox has delivered. 

And, thankfully, the diva has been immortalized in music video every step of the way. The "Songs of Mass Destruction" tour was equally organic and electric. A seven-piece band that included two backup singers never upstaged the star (we only had to applaud one brief guitar solo). But the video screen that stretched above Lennox created a dazzling effect. Slow-motion edits of an exceptionally art-directed catalogue augmented the appropriate songs. And no one celebrates gender-bent culture better than our androgynous chanteuse. Why hasn't MTV already bestowed her with the Video Vanguard award? For the new album, Lennox was accompanied by captivating images: "Smithereens" featured pixilated fields of burning oil wells; and "Dark Road" looked as if someone recently shot Richard Avedon's haunting and stark "In the American West" series. Lennox wasn't the only video queen in the house. Minutes before the 8:30 p.m. curtain rose, Kenny Goss and George Michael made their way to their front-and-center seats. Because he wasn't wearing sunglasses, George was hardly recognizable — wearing a simple black T-shirt and a severe 10 o'clock shadow. It appeared that George survived the entire concert without any gonzo star-fucking madness. And no, an impromptu Annie-George duet didn't happen either. From the first song, "No More I Love You's," to the encore "Why," Lennox's reach never exceeded her grasp. Her voice — soaring, silvery, soulful and crystalline — was in superb form. Even when she rocked out, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," Lennox's pipes were never overpowered by the thunderous blasts of bass drums. That chorus: "Hold your head up! / Keep your head up!" segued to the next portion of the show — like a kick to the stomach. However, the dramatic shift was intentional. The cornerstone of the album and tour is "Sing," a choral anthem inspired by a visit to South Africa and by the HIV pandemic. "Sing" was prefaced by a short film about the millions of infected children, explaining how mother-to-child transmission can be effectively treated — if treated. It was near impossible to not wince at the footage or the staggering statistics. But Lennox was belting away the rollicking chorus — commanding us to "Sing, my sister, Sing!" Annie was ordering us to overcome AIDS' hurdles of shame. And instead of looking away, be aware and help others seek treatment. "We are in a rich country. And we have the power of the vote," Lennox said. "We can change things in this country, too."

Speaking of change, there was one costume modification: Lennox slipped into a baby-doll black silky top. However even after 90 minutes, it all ended too soon. She asked "Whyyyyyyyyyy" as the word "DIVA" glowed in blue script above her head. Like anyone ever doubted her title.

https://youtu.be/ZPXA_8FAQl8?si=lI4cSrvuuy1ifLdZ

US doctors says HIV women can breastfeed babies while on medication

People with HIV can breastfeed their babies, as long as they are taking medications that effectively suppress the virus that causes AIDS, a top U.S. pediatricians’ group said Monday in a sharp policy change. 

The new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics reverses recommendations it had in place since the start of the HIV epidemic in the 1980s. 

It recognizes that routinely prescribed drugs can reduce the risk of transmitting HIV via breast milk to less than 1%, said Dr. Lisa Abuogi, a pediatric HIV expert at the University of Colorado and lead author of the report.

“The medications are so good now and the benefits for mom and baby are so important that we are at a point where it is important to engage in shared decision-making,” Abuogi said.

The drugs, known as antiretroviral therapy, don’t eliminate all risk of transmitting HIV through breast milk. 

Avoiding breastfeeding is the only certain way to prevent spreading the virus, Abuogi said.

Related:Children’s Health, UT Southwestern receive $100 million donation for new hospitalIn addition, parents must breastfeed exclusively for the babies’ first six months because research shows that switching between breast milk and formula can disrupt an infant’s gut in ways that increase the risk of HIV infection.

[zakibrave]

Top 10 Health Concerns You Should Know About

1. Substance Abuse:

Definition: Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including illicit drugs (cocaine, heroin, etc.) and alcohol. It can lead to dependence, addiction, and a range of health problems.

Effects: Substance abuse can negatively impact the physical and mental health of individuals. It can damage organs like the liver, heart, and brain. It can also lead to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Additionally, substance abuse can negatively affect relationships, work performance, and overall well-being.

Treatment: Effective treatment options for substance abuse are available. These may include medically-assisted detox, therapy (individual and group), and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

2. HIV/AIDS:

Definition: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the body's immune system, progressively weakening it and making it harder to fight off infections and diseases. If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

Transmission: HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles or syringes with someone infected with HIV, and from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

Treatment: While there is no cure for HIV, highly effective medications called antiretroviral therapy (ART) can suppress the virus, allowing people with HIV to live long and healthy lives. Early diagnosis and consistent adherence to ART are crucial for managing HIV and preventing transmission to others.

3. Mental Health:

Emotional wellness alludes to an individual's close to home, mental, and social prosperity. It influences our thought process, feel, and act. Emotional well-being conditions are normal, influencing a large number of individuals around the world.

Examples: Mental health conditions encompass a broad spectrum, including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can manifest in various ways, impacting daily life.

Support and Treatment: A variety of effective treatments are available for mental health conditions, including therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.), medication, and self-management strategies like stress management techniques. Seeking professional help is crucial for managing mental health and improving overall well-being.

The Journey of the Soul™ Brain Entrainment Program

4. Injury and Violence:

Definition: Injuries are unintentional physical damages to the body, while violence is intentional harm inflicted by another person. Injuries can occur due to accidents, falls, sports, and self-harm. Violence can be physical, sexual, or emotional.

Impact: Both injuries and violence can have significant physical, emotional, and financial consequences for individuals and families. Injuries can require medical care, rehabilitation, and may lead to long-term disabilities. Violence can cause physical trauma, emotional distress, and fear.

Prevention: Efforts to prevent injuries may involve promoting safety awareness, enacting safety regulations, and improving access to safety equipment. Violence prevention strategies encompass community outreach programs, addressing underlying social issues like poverty and inequality, and strengthening support systems for victims.

Resources: If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, mental health, or the aftermath of an injury or violence, resources are available to help. Please reach out to a healthcare professional or a support organization for confidential guidance and assistance.

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Understanding AIDS: Causes, Symptoms, and Transmission

This comprehensive AIDS reference provides a thorough explanation of the disease's causes, symptoms, and spread. AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which assaults the immune system and specifically targets CD4 cells. These cells perform an important function in the immune system. HIV spreads through various bodily fluids, such as sperm, breast milk, blood, and vaginal fluid.

The most common routes for the virus to spread are through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, and mother-child transmission.

Symptoms of HIV infection differ from person to person, with flu-like symptoms developing early on. As the disease develops to AIDS, symptoms may include opportunistic infections, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, oral thrush, and chronic fever. HIV impairs the immune system, making people more susceptible to pneumonia, TB, and other malignancies. However, not all HIV patients will proceed to AIDS, especially with effective antiretroviral therapy.

Understanding the HIV virus is critical in grasping AIDS. HIV is a retrovirus that integrates its genetic material into host cell DNA, making it difficult to remove from the body. HIV has two basic strains: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is more frequent and pathogenic globally, but HIV-2 advances more slowly to AIDS and is more common in West Africa.