On World AIDS Day, HIV-Positive Iowans Continue To Face Stigma

Cedar Falls, IA Patch:

It has been 30 years since the first cases of human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, were discovered in America, but Tami Haught, president of PITCH (Positive Iowans Taking Charge), says many HIV-positive Iowans are still afraid to tell their friends and family.

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Comments

[hammerhead1326]

06:59 AM on 12/02/2011

Must be quite a surprise living in iowa and waking up one morning to discover you've contracted hiv during the night . Is it in the water ? Could it be something they ate ? Must be those evil drug companies or the evangelical zealots spreading it. Maybe they eat too much red meat ? Didn't realize iowa was in a third-world country.

[kimcurtis]

02:42 AM on 12/02/2011

Many people are ending their lives after being diagonized HIV +VE. Still, there's no permanent cure for it. Obama government Spending millions of money and the bottom line is more deaths.

[Californiagrove]

02:10 PM on 12/02/2011

Kim, please educate yourself and quit spreading misinformation. I was diagnosed with HIV in 1991. That is 20 years ago. I venture to say I'm probably healthier than you are I hardly get a cold a year. I take one pill a day called Atripla. I have never had AIDS. No cure now, but understand this is a totally manageable disease.

[kyeshinka]

12:56 AM on 12/02/2011

It's one reason why young people don't stay in Iowa. Most people want to enjoy life. It's nearly impossible to do it here.

[johnb123]

11:13 PM on 12/01/2011

They're not going to find a cure for AIDS....if they did, it would wipe out the profits of the drug companies.

[DallasDon]

01:13 AM on 12/02/2011

I don't believe it! For the first time ever, I can agree with something you've posted here.
Maybe there's hope for you yet Mr. Barry ;-)

And regrettably in this instance you are indeed correct.
The pharmacutical companies have no interest in a cure,
their profit lies in having lifelong customers.

[Moti]

10:43 PM on 12/01/2011

They can't help being Iowans, that's just not right.

[jws2346]

10:05 PM on 12/01/2011

Jeez, after reading the first part of this article it sure sounded like the 'Don't ask, don't tell' deal the military just got rid of? The BS didn't work in the military and it's not going to work in Iowa.

[The Intellectual]

09:07 PM on 12/01/2011

OBAMA = $50 MILLION TOWARDS AIDS CAUSES

BUSH = $15 BILLION TOWARDS AIDS CAUSES

OF COURSE EVERYONE ON THIS SITE WILL IGNORE THE OBVIOUS

[joper201]

12:31 AM on 12/02/2011

Like the typical disengenuous partisan hack you fail to mention the facts.
President Bush became known as the Aids President.
On behalf of America he committed $15 billion over 5 years which was the largest commitment EVER by any country to the AIDS cause 2003.
The commitment was reaffirmed and extended for another 5 years in 2008.
Actually China is giving 42% of obamas aids releif.

[Mochilero]

08:37 PM on 12/01/2011

I guess they are still afraid to come out of the closet in Iowa too.

[johnb123]

08:20 PM on 12/01/2011

"At every hospital visit, the doctors and nurses would put on full robes, gloves and masks, none of which are necessary to prevent contracting HIV. They didn't do the same thing for other patients, Haught said.".....It's for their OWN protection. I'm sorry it makes you FEEL uncomfortable, you just have to deal with it. They have the right to protect themselves from other infections you might have.

[Darwincrat]

09:30 PM on 12/01/2011

Stigma is a major reason that people neglect seeking testing and treatment. People who are infected but do not know their status present the single greatest chance for spreading disease. Doctors in low prevalence areas are often uninformed about the disease and how its spread, and that is clearly evidenced here. Things like this are incredibly counter-productive towards controlling the disease. If you could set aside your anti-gay bigotry for a moment, I think you would agree.

[johnb123]

10:32 PM on 12/01/2011

Did you know people with HIV have other infections too? Like TB. The staff has to protect themselves for ANY infection that person might have.

[jws2346]

10:07 PM on 12/01/2011

Eee Gad, no air conditioned space suits?

[johnb123]

11:05 PM on 12/01/2011

Do you really think health care professional shouldn't take extra precautions, dealing with people with HIV?