Book of the Month - The Naked Truth

The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful, and (HIV) Positive by Marvelyn Brown with Courtney E. Martin is a portrait of a woman that used her diagnosis to educate others about the realities of HIV. Her story began as a young girl in Nashville, Tennessee, the daughter of a strict and success-driven mother and a free spirited, drug-addicted father. She had lived a good deal of her life seeking approval from her mother, love from her father that led to unhealthy relationships with boyfriends throughout her late teens.

Reading her memoir, I was struck with the many elements in her life that created the perfect environment for HIV. When Marvelyn was diagnosed in 2003 at the age of 19, she did not know anything about HIV. After her doctor revealed that she was positive Marvelyn, who worked at a daycare thought,


“must be those preschoolers, I thought shaking my head. Their noses were always running. Their hands were always dirty. They coughed endlessly. Images of all the times I interacted with the kids flashed through my head – holding their hands, helping them clean up after snack time, changing their diapers. It seemed like the most likely time I could have gotten HIV.”


This points to a failure in getting public health information into the hands of the public. Considering her diagnosis was in 2003 and not 1983, it is shocking that she had no information on HIV. Marvelyn noted in the book that the health message from her family and the community were limited to “don’t get pregnant” and “don’t smoke.” Never, not in school, or at home was the subject of preventing HIV (and one can assume other STDs) explained.

Since her diagnosis, Marvelyn has made prevention education her mission. Working for Nashville CARES, then POZ and finally starting her own global HIV consulting organization, Marvelous Connections, Marvelyn uses her life to bring HIV into the light. Her book is frank, hard-hitting and reminds us that HIV is something that affects anyone and everyone.

Visit her website at http://www.marvelynbrown.com/

What is Genital Herpes? STD Spotlight

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 45 million individuals in the United States have had a genital herpes infection. This sexually transmitted disease has two types, herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex viruses type 2 (HSV-2). Approximately one out of four women and one out of eight men have had HSV-2.

How is genital herpes transmitted?

Sores caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2 can release the virus. However, transmission can occur from areas without a visible sore. HSV-1 is commonly associated with infections of the mouth and lips. This virus is passed during oral-genital or genital-genital contact with an infected person. HSV-2 is transmitted through sexual contact with a person that has an HSV-2 infection.

What are the symptoms?

A symptom of genital herpes is painful sores in or around the genitals or rectum. These sores are recurrent and can be more severe in people with suppressed immune systems. In the first year of a herpes diagnosis, individuals will have several outbreaks.

In particular, genital herpes can be fatal to babies. Women with active genital herpes generally deliver their babies via cesarean to avoid passing the infection to their newborns.

How is genital herpes diagnosed?

HSV-2 can be diagnosed by a visual inspection during an outbreak and/or taking a sample from a sore. Between outbreaks, a blood test may be used to detect antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2.

What is the treatment for genital herpes?

Herpes can not be cured. The use of antiviral medications can reduce the length of an outbreak. To reduce the possibility of transmission to sexual partners, daily suppressive therapy may be used.

How can you prevent transmitting genital herpes?

Abstaining from sexually activity or being in a monogamous relationship with a partner that has tested negative for STDs prevents the transmission of herpes. Use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of getting an STD.

A person can still transmit herpes even if they do not have symptoms or visible sores. Individuals with herpes should not engage in sexual activity with uninfected partners if they have a sore or other symptoms.

Is there any link between HIV and genital herpes?

Genital herpes, like other STDs, makes it easier to transmit HIV and makes individuals more susceptible to becoming HIV positive.

Information adapted from CDC Fact Sheet on Genital Herpes

Fun with the Three French Hens

Welcome to 3 French Hens at Town Center Plaza!

I love this tree!

My favorite cousin came out for the event.

Thank you to 3 French Hens and Amore Chocolate Pizza Company for a wonderful event and to all the friends of GSP that came out to support this fab fundraiser!

Deer Santa,

I need this for my loft. (hint, hint Santa)

Cricket Anyone?

A year ago the Pakistan Society, an organization that assists people living with HIV, formed the First Positive Cricket Team. Comprised of HIV-positive team members, this team is using cricket, Pakistan’s national sport, to break through the stigma associated with HIV. According to the president of the Pakistan Society, Dr. Saleem Azam, “the stigma is the worst consequence of this illness, so it will be the greatest service to people with HIV if we are able to help them overcome this stigma.” After playing and winning their first match in August, First Positive is on its way to changing how individuals affected by HIV are perceived.

To read the full story visit http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/17/cricket.pakistan.hiv/index.html

What is Gonorrhea? STD Spotlight

Gonorrhea is on the rise in the United States. Sexually active teens, young adults and African Americans have been hardest hit by the rise in infection rates.

This sexually transmitted disease (STD) thrives in moist, warm areas such as the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women and the urethra in both men and women.

How is gonorrhea transmitted?

Gonorrhea can be transmitted through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Mothers can also spread gonorrhea to their baby during delivery.

What are the symptoms of gonorrhea?

Like so many STDs, many of those infected have no symptoms. In men that experience symptoms, two to five (or as long as 30) days after infection, they may have a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis and/or a burning sensation when urinating. In addition, some men may have painful swelling of the testicles.

In women, symptoms are mild, often resembling signs of a vaginal or bladder infection. These symptoms include an increased vaginal discharge, burning sensation while urinating or vaginal bleeding between periods.

Painful bowel movements, bleeding, soreness, anal itching and discharge are common symptoms for rectal infections. Infections in the throat may be indicated by a sore throat. However, both rectal and throat infections may have an absence of symptoms.

What are the long-term effects of gonorrhea?

For men, epididymitis (a condition of the ducts attached to the testicles) may occur. This condition without treatment may cause infertility.

Gonorrhea in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This disease has many health risks including chronic pelvic pain and internal abscesses. The fallopian tubes may be damaged causing infertility or ectopic (outside the uterus) pregnancy, which can be life-threatening.

If gonorrhea spreads to the blood or joints it can become life-threatening.

Babies born to women with gonorrhea may be blind, have joint or blood infections.

How is gonorrhea diagnosed?

A sample is collected from the site of infection and tested. If gonorrhea is in the urethra or cervix, a urine sample can be tested for diagnosis.

What are the treatment options for gonorrhea?

Antibiotics are used to treat gonorrhea. Unfortunately, many of the strains are becoming drug-resistant, making gonorrhea more difficult to treat.

Can gonorrhea be prevented?

Abstaining from sexual activities is the most effective way to prevent gonorrhea. If you are having sex, the second most effective way to avoid infection is to be in a monogamous relationship with a partner that has tested negative for STDs. Latex condoms can reduce your risk of getting an STD. Individuals with gonorrhea should avoid sexual activity until they have completed their treatment for gonorrhea.

Is there any link between HIV and gonorrhea?

Gonorrhea, like other STDs, makes it easier to transmit HIV. Likewise, individuals that test positive for both HIV and gonorrhea can transmit HIV easier than individuals without gonorrhea.

Information adapted from CDC Fact Sheet on Gonorrhea

Aging and HIV

When asked why the infection rates of America’s young people continue to rise, I often answer “the perception is that HIV is a chronic disease, almost curable through medication.” However, do we understand the consequences of living with a “chronic disease?” New York Magazine recently published an article by David France titled Another Kind of AIDS Crisis, about the long-term effects of HIV and medication use.

According to the article, “doctors are reporting a constellation of ailments in middle-aged patients that are more typically seen at geriatric practices, in patients 80 and older.” The author also notes “current life-expectancy charts show that people on HIV medications could live twenty fewer years on average than the general population.” Basically, many people with HIV are experiencing their golden years and all the health problems associated with aging in middle age. For many of us the age of fifty seems lifetimes away. For those with HIV, it may be closer than you think.

Especially troubling are changes in patients’ brain function. Patients are noting loss of memory, motor skills, and even personality changes. Researchers attribute the loss of function to HIV itself versus a side effect of medication. Fifty-two percent of all Americans with HIV have some form of cognitive impairment, compared with just ten percent people without HIV (under 60 years of age). The reason for this is HIV can be controlled in the bloodstream but continue to replicate in the brain.

In addition to changes in the brain, people with HIV are experiencing organ failure and bone loss at a much higher rate than their counterparts without HIV. The article states “HIV patients are registering higher rates of insulin resistance and cholesterol imbalances, and they suffer elevated rates of melanoma and kidney cancers and seven times the rate of other non-HIV related cancers.” Medical professionals are unsure if these conditions are the result of HIV or the medications.

The overlap of aging and HIV will be something that affects every person, whether they are infected or not. “In just a few years, half of all Americans with HIV will be 50 or over, according to projections”, explained French. Having to retire in their prime earning years, people with HIV will struggle with daily living expenses and the rising cost of health care. Since HIV research and development is a learn-as-you go prospect, who will be the pioneering medical professionals that will address this issue? Are medical schools equipping students to handle this ever changing disease? Are community resources prepared to take on this demographic?

This blog post started with the question “do we understand the consequences of living with a chronic disease?” Medications have made it possible to live longer with chronic diseases, such as HIV. Yes, you can live with a chronic disease, but with HIV you also have the opportunity to prevent it.

For the full article in New York Magazine http://nymag.com/health/features/61740/

Sponsor a Child This Holiday Season

We're gearing up for the holiday season at GSP! There are many ways to be involved with all the hustle and bustle. Planning for the Children's Holiday Party is in full swing and we have a new way to be involved. You can sponsor a child ages newborn to eleven for $25 or a teen ages twelve to eighteen for $30. Visit the GSP website www.gsp-kc.org

to make a pledge or contact Nicole Davis at (816) 561-8784. Would you like to sponsor a child as a gift to family members or friends? We have lovely holiday cards available with the image shown at the left noting your generous donation on their behalf.

If you are interested in assisting with the planning for the holiday party, the next meeting will be Thursday, November 19th at 6:30pm at the GSP Missouri office. This office is located at 3030 Walnut, Kansas City, MO 64108. Please contact Nicole Davis for more details.

Thank You Linus!

Today I picked up a donation of 60 handmade blankets from Project Linus. The blankets will be given out at the Children's Holiday Party. Each blanket is beautiful. I can't wait to hand them out at the party! Thank you Project Linus for your generosity. For more on Project Linus, see our October 28th blog post.

3 French Hens

Once upon a time, there was a lovely Christmas Shoppe named 3 French Hens. Filled with generous spirits and armed with artistic talent, the 3 French Hens (named Sherrie, Danny, and Matt) decided to invite the friends of Good Samaritan Project to partake in their beautiful bounty. Better still, 25% of the proceeds from purchases will benefit GSP.

When: Sunday, November 15th
Time 3-7pm
Where: Town Center Plaza, 4825 W 117th St, Leawood, KS 66211
Website: http://www.3frenchhenskc.com/

In addition, the friends of 3 French Hens at nearby Amore Chocolate Pizza Company will also give 25% of their proceeds to GSP. Visit their delicious website at http://www.amorechocolatepizzacompany.com/

Bucky's Book of the Month for November

The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful and (HIV) Positive by Marvelyn Brown with Courtney E. Martin is this month’s selection. This autobiography follows Marvelyn from a young girl hungry for love to a world-known HIV activist. Visit her website at www.marvelynbrown.com