This past week has been rather unfruitful, and at times seemed to be barely moving. Having to deal with the burdens of my other three classes, work, and friend drama, I haven't spent much time the past couple days worried about this class. I'm looking forward to next week for that week off of writing papers, could use the break. Still working on getting this week's assignment done, module three - testing and counseling. I'm really glad to have got that nerve racking experience out of the way. Getting tested for life changing diseases is exactly my strong suit. Although now after getting my results back, and confirming that I am negative, I wish to be tested for more. I think it would be nice to get myself fully tested in order to acknowledge and understand myself completely. Unfortunately the test I took to look for HIV, could not be used to test for other diseases. That would have saved me some time and money.
Well, for the next few days I be working on module three, and getting responses out to the other bloggers. Other than that I hope to continue to grow when it comes to my understanding of the HIV disease. I know the movies really made a tremendous contribution to my overall knowledge on the subject. I just hope that there are more learning materials to come that are just as enlightening as the movies.
Did You Know...
This week on did you know, How many contractions occur in college? What about HIV in Germany?
According to the CDC, 50% of all new HIV contractions occur among people under 25 years old. Considering that college students usually fit in that age bracket, this tells me that college students appear to be most at risk. One major problem that aids the spread of HIV is the fact that most sexually active students report not using a condom. Which is unfortunate because a condom can reduce the chance of contracting a STD by 70 - 100%. (Access)
As for the laws associated with Germany's HIV confidentiality, they closely resemble that of the U.S. when it comes to laws. The status of your condition is kept confidential unless you do something that would provide reasonable cause to make it otherwise known to the public. One german law states that if any person maltreats or harms the health of another, they can be convicted, and sentenced to up to 5 years in prison, or pay substantial fine. (Germany) If you are a threat to the well being of another person, I feel it is the job of the government to take care of the issue.
Access My Library. (2009) Retrieved October 14, 2009, from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-201608565/hiv-risk-behavior-among.html
Germany. (n.a.) Retrieved October 14, 2009, from http://www.gnpplus.net/criminalisation/germany.shtml
The movies also helped me get a better understanding of this virus. It it scary to think about the high risk for college students all I can say is CONDOMS! I dont understand why people take such risks, it blows my mind.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way with looking forward to next week in having that week off from writing papers because I feel like it is getting to the point that we are writing way too much for this class. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take my test on time so I won't know what my test results will be for a little while but I know it will read negative, 100% sure. I also agree that watching the movies helped me grow in knowledge in the topic and that it was fun watching them but sad at the same time. I can see why college students have a high rate of having HIV because in a party filled environment and with alcohol and sex advertised everywhere. I am not suprised to see the amount of sexual activity that goes on.
ReplyDeleteContractions???? Try infections, Austin.
ReplyDeleteAIDS not aids
Actually using a condom correctly and consistently can reduce HIV 100% of the time. You can still get an STD that is on the surface of the skin, but from a covered penis, that is more difficult.
We prosecute HIV positive persons in the US if they knowingly spread the virus. Some states give them an attempted murder charge, some manslaughter. If the person dies from the complications while the person is still in prison, then the charge can be upgraded to murder.
Actually it isn't the job of the government to take care of the issue. It is the job of each individual to take care of themselves. You have no one to blame if you get HIV because you didn't want to use a condom. The government can't force you to use it.