Overhearing their conversation had me thinking. I realized that even people in the medical field have a misunderstanding of HIV. They picture it as something they can contract just by entering a room or touching a patient without gloves on. It sort of made me mad. They weren’t thinking about how putting up a sign would violate HIPPA. On top of violating HIPPA, that sign would exploit something very personal that a patient might not want others to know. I have always been taught to treat an HIV patient just as I would a regular patient when it comes to precautions.
I really think that my hospital should really spend some time informing its employees HIV. Those nursing assistants have been at that hospital over 4 years, yet they are very misinformed. I have only been there for less than a month, so I learn from them. HIV is obviously growing at a rapid rate, and we need to be as informed as possible about this virus and about AIDS.
This story really makes me feel that we are not in a world so far from that of Ryan White. Those nursing assistants felt like they needed to gown up just like the mothers of the children that stayed the night with Ryan insisted that there be the plastic wall of protection when they slept in his room. That story really made me take a look about how I would have treated Ryan if he were my classmate. Would I have advocated for him to come back? Would I have cut him from my friend's list? Would I have done nothing? I really can't answer that question right now. I can only say that I would hope that I would have read the facts about HIV/AIDS before I did anything, but why did nobody else do that?
When I was going to help at an AIDS hospice in New Orleans, Louisiana, my friends and I had to sign a waiver that the hospice was not responsible if one of us were to get infected. I was 14 the first year that I went, and I really didn't know anything about AIDS; I just knew that those people were sick, and they needed some love and care. Three of my friends were not allowed to participate after their parents read the waiver. When I showed my mom the waiver, I asked her if I could get sick, too. Her response to me was this, "Katlin, playing cards or helping cleaning someone with AID's bedroom will not get you sick. You are to treat these people with God's love. You are going." I didn't have gloves on. I didn't have a gown or mask on. Quite honestly, it was one of the most rewarding experiences that I have had in my life. We were able to build the children a play set, clean up their rooms, fix things around the facility, play cards, and meet some unforgettable people. I went back the next year and did the same thing. Unfortunately, the whole facility was wiped out during Hurricane Katrina, and many of the residents did not make it. It was really hard for me to take. However, that hospice showed me that living in fear of people with AIDS is not going to help anything or anyone.
Did You Know?
When some HIV infants are born, they can actually test negative for the virus. Because of this flaw, they have to be tested regularly until about 6 months, and it is important for the mother or father to look for the symptoms an HIV positive baby possesses. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, failure to gain weight, swollen abdomen (due to swollen liver and spleen), swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, and thrush. It is important to note that these are only the symptoms of a child less than year of age. (Children’s Hospital Boston, 2010)
Source:
AIDS/HIV. (2010). Children’s Hospital Boston. Retrieved on September 8, 2010 from http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site550/mainpageS550P0.html
I found your blog to be very insightful. I work in a restaurant,and often hear of employees complaining about patrons. I know that there are gripes that come with every job, but your blog was very insightful into the profession and the interaction with HIV.
ReplyDeleteI also found your "Did you Know" section to be interesting and informative.
I also worked in a hospital before and I, too, realized how many people are misinformed on certain diseases, such as HIV. I agree that hospitals should help inform employees about HIV because, as you said, it is a rapidly growing disease.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't you take the opportunity to tell them what you are learning and why the sign wasn't necessary?
ReplyDeleteThe people were told what facts the scientists had at the time, but they refused to believe. They thought that they were being lied to and that Ryan posed a threat to their children, just by sitting in the same classroom.
With PCR testing for infants born to HIV positive mothers, there is no longer a wait. The baby is tested at birth, 3 months and 6 months. Usually, when the test comes back positive at birth, it will continue to be positive at the other markers. False negatives are very rare.
I enjoyed your blog this week. Nice to see what you have done and are doing with HIV. Just the length I'm looking for.