“font-family: Verdana;”>In 1969, a black teenager died at then-Barnes Hospital in “font-family: Verdana;”>from baffling symptoms that doctors attempted to treat over a 15-month period. Almost 20 years later, it was confirmed that the patient known as Robert R. died of AIDS and was probably the first case in the
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Sample tissues had been saved from his autopsy and scientifically diagnosed by doctors, who by 1987, were now familiar with the disease. This meant that young Robert had the disease
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:” lang=”EN” xml:lang=”EN”>nearly a decade before what had been the country’s first known AIDS cases.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>As we approach World AIDS Day on December 1, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are no longer scientific mysteries. The epidemic’s scare during the mid-1980s left many stigmatized and isolated while ignorance abounded. We are still lagging in our prevention and education efforts, particularly in the black community.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Although there are controversial views regarding the origins of AIDS, we know with certainty how the disease is spread. It is passed from “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:” lang=”EN” xml:lang=”EN”>one person to another when infected blood semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person’s broken skin or mucous membranes. That means there are two main ways “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>– sexual contact with someone who has the disease, or intravenously such as through a blood transfusion or a shared needle. An HIV-infected mother can also pass the disease on to her unborn child.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Knowing how the disease is spread should make the solution simple: don’t have unprotected sex and don’t share needles. Oh, if life were so simple.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>The latest estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that people of African descent need to pay close attention. To date, over one million cases have been diagnosed and nearly 20,000 lives have been snuffed out due to the body’s immune system being compromised; 65,000 new HIV cases are identified each year. The numbers of African Americans being diagnosed with AIDS so far is almost comparable to that of whites and we’re only about 13 percent of the population.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>The world-wide cases of AIDS are staggering. According to Yale AIDS Watch, there are 42 million cases of AIDS in the world and 5 million new cases each year. Three million people, including children, die annually of the dreaded disease. More than half of the world’s cases are in Africa, which has been hardest hit by the “sleeping disease,” as it is commonly called there.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>When Robert R. dragged himself to the hospital, he had already been sick for nearly two years. The initial assessment revealed that he had a severe case of chlamydia, so it was clear that the kid was sexually active. Further examinations by the doctors led to speculation that Robert was either gay or a male prostitute.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>Recently, the CDC listed St. Louis first in Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). The city was ranked 2nd in chlamydia and 3rd in gonorrhea. The city’s Health Department is shining a light on the problem. The majority of cases for both diseases are African Americans between the ages of 15 and 24. Robert R. fit into that age group some 45 years ago when he begin his debilitating descent to a premature death.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>So, what have we learned in the decades since Robert’s cases of chlamydia and AIDS? A whole lot, but it’s not being effectively transferred to our communities, particularly our children.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family:”>I agree with city Health Director Pam Rice Walker. Parents, schools and service providers to this age category need to have tough conversations with youth about sexuality and responsibility. Our community’s attitudes about these preventable diseases are much too cavalier and must change if we intend to promote healthy lifestyles.
