Obama ends ban on people with HIV entering US

[Nessa 23]

oh noes!! we gonna get invaded by the gheys!!!

[shefellfromheaven 18]

Justa Shooter - while I admit that HIV is in sub- saharan africa , I do disagree with your statement that mosquitoes spread the virus.When mosquitoes feed on blood from a person they only inject their saliva, which serves as a lubricant and allows the insect to draw blood more easily. In addition, HIV does not reproduce or survive inside mosquitoes, unlike organisms that are transmitted via insect bites.

I still believe partners should go for testing together before any commitment, it doesnt matter where you are geographically located or born.

[HannahP 119]

Herpes supposedly increases your risk of contracting HIV and something like 1 in 5 Americans has Herpes. Supposedy.

Meh. I volunteer for a free urgent care clinic doing stats/referrals/HIV counseling. In my area, with my target population, 1/3 service users has herpes. 1/200 has HIV.

What drives me nuts is that we can get funding out the #### for HIV testing, referrals, and counseling but funding for other areas where we actually have a huge demand/patient population tend to get cut depending on the "Their" whims.

[Jewel-8 21]

Justa Shooter - while I admit that HIV is in sub- saharan africa , I do disagree with your statement that mosquitoes spread the virus.When mosquitoes feed on blood from a person they only inject their saliva, which serves as a lubricant and allows the insect to draw blood more easily. In addition, HIV does not reproduce or survive inside mosquitoes, unlike organisms that are transmitted via insect bites.

I still believe partners should go for testing together before any commitment, it doesnt matter where you are geographically located or born.

I've read articles that site research about certain types of malaria reducing the bodies defense against the HIV virus. Right now there is an interesting correlation between the two infections.

[shefellfromheaven 18]

We'd all be infected in Africa from the bites.

When a mosquito transmits a disease agent from one person to another, the infectious agent must remain alive inside the mosquito until transfer is completed. If the mosquito digests the parasite, the transmission cycle is terminated and the parasite cannot be passed on to the next host.As a result, mosquitoes that ingest HIV-infected blood digest that blood within 1-2 days and completely destroy any virus particles that could potentially produce a new infection. Since the virus does not survive to reproduce and invade the salivary glands, the mechanism that most mosquito-borne parasites use to get from one host to the next is not possible with HIV.

Mosquitoes Do Not Ingest Enough HIV Particles to Transmit AIDS by Contamination

Insect-borne disease agents that have the ability to be transferred from one individual to the next via contaminated mouthparts must circulate at very high levels in the bloodstream of their host. Transfer by mouthpart contamination requires sufficient infectious particles to initiate a new infection. The exact number of infectious particles varies from one disease to the next. HIV circulates at very low levels in the blood--well below the levels of any of the known mosquito-borne diseases. Infected individuals rarely circulate more that 10 units of HIV, and 70 to 80% of HIV-infected persons have undetectable levels of virus particles in their blood. Calculations with mosquitoes and HIV show that a mosquito that is interrupted while feeding on an HIV carrier circulating 1000 units of HIV has a 1:10 million probability of injecting a single unit of HIV to an AIDS-free recipient. In laymen's terms, an AIDS-free individual would have to be bitten by 10 million mosquitoes that had begun feeding on an AIDS carrier to receive a single unit of HIV from contaminated mosquito mouthparts. Using the same calculations, crushing a fully engorged mosquito containing AIDS positive blood would still not begin to approach the levels needed to initiate infection. In short, mechanical transmission of AIDS by HIV-contaminated mosquitoes appears to be well beyond the limits of probability. Therefore, none of the theoretical mechanisms cited earlier appear to be possible for mosquito transmission of HIV.

Mosquitoes Are Not Flying Hypodermic Needles

Many people think of mosquitoes as tiny, flying hypodermic syringes, and if hypodermic needles can successfully transmit HIV from one individual to another then mosquitoes ought to be able to do the same. We have already seen that HIV-infected individuals do not circulate enough virus particles to result in infection by contamination. However, even if HIV-positive individuals did circulate high levels of virus, mosquitoes could not transmit the virus by the methods that are employed in used syringes. Most people have heard that mosquitoes regurgitate saliva before they feed, but are unaware that the food canal and salivary canal are separate passageways in the mosquito. The mosquito's feeding apparatus is an extremely complicated structure that is totally unlike the crude single-bore syringe. Unlike a syringe, the mosquito delivers salivary fluid through one passage and draws blood up another. As a result, the food canal is not flushed out like a used needle, and blood flow is always unidirectional. The mechanics involved in mosquito feeding are totally unlike the mechanisms employed by the drug user's needles. In short, mosquitoes are not flying hypodermic needles and a mosquito that disgorges saliva into your body is not flushing out the remnants of its last blood meal.

Justa Shooter - while I admit that HIV is in sub- saharan africa , I

do disagree with your statement that mosquitoes spread the virus.When mosquitoes feed on blood from a person they only inject their saliva, which serves as a lubricant and allows the insect to draw blood more easily. In addition, HIV does not reproduce or survive inside mosquitoes, unlike organisms that are transmitted via insect bites.

I still believe partners should go for testing together before any commitment, it doesnt matter where you are geographically located or born.

I've read articles that site research about certain types of malaria reducing the bodies defense against the HIV virus. Right now there is an interesting correlation between the two infections.

Edited November 3, 2009 by shefellfromheaven

[HannahP 119]

Justa Shooter - while I admit that HIV is in sub- saharan africa , I do disagree with your statement that mosquitoes spread the virus.When mosquitoes feed on blood from a person they only inject their saliva, which serves as a lubricant and allows the insect to draw blood more easily. In addition, HIV does not reproduce or survive inside mosquitoes, unlike organisms that are transmitted via insect bites.

I still believe partners should go for testing together before any commitment, it doesnt matter where you are geographically located or born.

You're right. However, justashooter was referring to the link between malaria and HIV (or was probably copy and pasting it from wikipedia), he wasn't saying that mosquitoes can spread HIV.

In most Western countries, HIV is mainly associated with IV drug users and homosexuals. There IS an element of heterosexual transmission -- but in Africa, the majority of HIV infections are associated with heterosexual relationships. If you looked solely at VJ members, the majority of which do not have contact with IV drug users and cannot (due to law) marry a same-sex partner...the likelihood of a VJer contracting HIV is going to be from a heterosexual relationship and the majority of heterosexual HIV+ people are in Africa.

edit - I am NOT saying that the majority of heterosexuals in Africa are HIV+, btw.

Edited November 3, 2009 by HannahP

[HannahP 119]

We'd all be infected in Africa from the bites.

When a mosquito transmits a disease agent from one person to another, the infectious agent must remain alive inside the mosquito until transfer is completed. If the mosquito digests the parasite, the transmission cycle is terminated and the parasite cannot be passed on to the next host.As a result, mosquitoes that ingest HIV-infected blood digest that blood within 1-2 days and completely destroy any virus particles that could potentially produce a new infection. Since the virus does not survive to reproduce and invade the salivary glands, the mechanism that most mosquito-borne parasites use to get from one host to the next is not possible with HIV.

Justa Shooter - while I admit that HIV is in sub- saharan africa , I

do disagree with your statement that mosquitoes spread the virus.When mosquitoes feed on blood from a person they only inject their saliva, which serves as a lubricant and allows the insect to draw blood more easily. In addition, HIV does not reproduce or survive inside mosquitoes, unlike organisms that are transmitted via insect bites.

I still believe partners should go for testing together before any commitment, it doesnt matter where you are geographically located or born.

I've read articles that site research about certain types of malaria reducing the bodies defense against the HIV virus. Right now there is an interesting correlation between the two infections.

No, the studies are referring to the fact that HIV+ people tend to have more severe malaria symptoms and vice versa. Nobody is saying that HIV is spread via mosquito.

[justashooter 430]

Justa Shooter - while I admit that HIV is in sub- saharan africa , I do disagree with your statement that mosquitoes spread the virus.When mosquitoes feed on blood from a person they only inject their saliva, which serves as a lubricant and allows the insect to draw blood more easily. In addition, HIV does not reproduce or survive inside mosquitoes, unlike organisms that are transmitted via insect bites.

I still believe partners should go for testing together before any commitment, it doesnt matter where you are geographically located or born.

as previously stated, i was remarking that malaria compromises the immune system in a manner that can be exploited by HIV. to contract HIV you need to be exposed to a certain number of disease agents. malarial infection reduces that number by up to 95%.

as for mosquitos actually carrying the virus from one person to another, most experts believe that this is not possible. that being said, the average female mosquito bites 6 times in her life cycle. she can spread malaria, typhus, yellow fever, and a host of other diseases from person to person, several of which i have personally suffered when living in china and india.

i agree that all marriage partners have a duty to be tested for STD before marrying. this should include not only HIV, but also hep c, hpv, gonnorhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. chlamydia is of special importance because it can exist in a male carrier without symptoms (females, too), and often leads to scarring of the fallopian tubes, effectively resulting in the unbeknown sterilisation of thousands of young women every year.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

that being said, i would still strongly suggest that people have their prospective spouses pass an HIV test (in their presence) before tying the knot. this is particularly true of africans, south asians, central americans, and com bloc people. in their countries malaria is endemic, and reduces the contact exposure requirement for transmission to a point at which it passes more easily thru heterosexual intercourse. there are 7 different kinds of malaria. the type most likely to increase HIV transmission (falciparum) is rife in sub saharan africa. the second most common type (vivax) has also been linked to increased susceptibility.

Gee, and I strongly suggest anyone marrying an American gets tested...

HIV testing is something everyone should do, no need for this regional finger pointing. Unless your new gig is as a WHO statistician.

people are too easily offended by the truth.

life is a game of statistical probability for any reasoning man. we assess risks and create defenses based upon these assesments.

Yeah, because you are the truth pursuer extraordinaire.... I lived in Mexico for almost 30 years and to this day I have yet to meet ONE Mexican who is HIV+ or has full blown AIDS. In about 7 years in Canada and the US; I've met more than a dozen folk. Stat FAIL.

[HannahP 119]

that being said, i would still strongly suggest that people have their prospective spouses pass an HIV test (in their presence) before tying the knot. this is particularly true of africans, south asians, central americans, and com bloc people. in their countries malaria is endemic, and reduces the contact exposure requirement for transmission to a point at which it passes more easily thru heterosexual intercourse. there are 7 different kinds of malaria. the type most likely to increase HIV transmission (falciparum) is rife in sub saharan africa. the second most common type (vivax) has also been linked to increased susceptibility.

Gee, and I strongly suggest anyone marrying an American gets tested...

HIV testing is something everyone should do, no need for this regional finger pointing. Unless your new gig is as a WHO statistician.

people are too easily offended by the truth.

life is a game of statistical probability for any reasoning man. we assess risks and create defenses based upon these assesments.

Yeah, because you are the truth pursuer extraordinaire.... I lived in Mexico for almost 30 years and to this day I have yet to meet ONE Mexican who is HIV+ or has full blown AIDS. In about 7 years in Canada and the US; I've met more than a dozen folk. Stat FAIL.

Yeah, I'm not sure where he's getting his "facts" there. You've basically got hetero AIDS in African (non-Muslim) countries and in some places like Haiti. Honestly, we keep hearing about how AIDS is going to break out epically in places like Asia and India but it's just not happening -- mostly you get groupings of HIV+ persons in your typical Westernized "high risk" categories -- sex workers, homosexuals, and IV drug users. LA countries tend to fall into Western high risk categories, with heterosexual spread of HIV being very low. The good thing about this is that having specific target populations makes working with those populations easier and cheaper. Condoms, lube, and clean needles for everyone!

Edited November 3, 2009 by HannahP

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

that being said, i would still strongly suggest that people have their prospective spouses pass an HIV test (in their presence) before tying the knot. this is particularly true of africans, south asians, central americans, and com bloc people. in their countries malaria is endemic, and reduces the contact exposure requirement for transmission to a point at which it passes more easily thru heterosexual intercourse. there are 7 different kinds of malaria. the type most likely to increase HIV transmission (falciparum) is rife in sub saharan africa. the second most common type (vivax) has also been linked to increased susceptibility.

Gee, and I strongly suggest anyone marrying an American gets tested...

HIV testing is something everyone should do, no need for this regional finger pointing. Unless your new gig is as a WHO statistician.

people are too easily offended by the truth.

life is a game of statistical probability for any reasoning man. we assess risks and create defenses based upon these assesments.

Yeah, because you are the truth pursuer extraordinaire.... I lived in Mexico for almost 30 years and to this day I have yet to meet ONE Mexican who is HIV+ or has full blown AIDS. In about 7 years in Canada and the US; I've met more than a dozen folk. Stat FAIL.

Yeah, I'm not sure where he's getting his "facts" there. You've basically got hetero AIDS in African (non-Muslim) countries and in some places like Haiti. Honestly, we keep hearing about how AIDS is going to break out epically in places like Asia and India but it's just not happening -- mostly you get groupings of HIV+ persons in your typical Westernized "high risk" categories -- sex workers, homosexuals, and IV drug users. LA countries tend to fall into Western high risk categories, with heterosexual spread of HIV being very low. The good thing about this is that having specific target populations makes working with those populations easier and cheaper. Condoms, lube, and clean needles for everyone!

There is the solution! Lets all convert to Islam!

[HannahP 119]

that being said, i would still strongly suggest that people have their prospective spouses pass an HIV test (in their presence) before tying the knot. this is particularly true of africans, south asians, central americans, and com bloc people. in their countries malaria is endemic, and reduces the contact exposure requirement for transmission to a point at which it passes more easily thru heterosexual intercourse. there are 7 different kinds of malaria. the type most likely to increase HIV transmission (falciparum) is rife in sub saharan africa. the second most common type (vivax) has also been linked to increased susceptibility.

Gee, and I strongly suggest anyone marrying an American gets tested...

HIV testing is something everyone should do, no need for this regional finger pointing. Unless your new gig is as a WHO statistician.

people are too easily offended by the truth.

life is a game of statistical probability for any reasoning man. we assess risks and create defenses based upon these assesments.

Yeah, because you are the truth pursuer extraordinaire.... I lived in Mexico for almost 30 years and to this day I have yet to meet ONE Mexican who is HIV+ or has full blown AIDS. In about 7 years in Canada and the US; I've met more than a dozen folk. Stat FAIL.

Yeah, I'm not sure where he's getting his "facts" there. You've basically got hetero AIDS in African (non-Muslim) countries and in some places like Haiti. Honestly, we keep hearing about how AIDS is going to break out epically in places like Asia and India but it's just not happening -- mostly you get groupings of HIV+ persons in your typical Westernized "high risk" categories -- sex workers, homosexuals, and IV drug users. LA countries tend to fall into Western high risk categories, with heterosexual spread of HIV being very low. The good thing about this is that having specific target populations makes working with those populations easier and cheaper. Condoms, lube, and clean needles for everyone!

There is the solution! Lets all convert to Islam!

Nah, Islamic countries tend to under-report and be adverse to letting in scientists. The general belief is that most Muslim African nations have vastly lower HIV rates but we don't actually know this for sure.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Yeah, also they often report that no homosexual people live in their country when that is obviously not true.

[HannahP 119]

Yeah, also they often report that no homosexual people live in their country when that is obviously not true.

So we're back to condoms, lube, and clean needles for all?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

for reference, read about the sentinel case of AIDS in the USA and you will discover how it all started.

letting people with AIDS into America is just another example of osama undermining our future by bringing us into parity with the third world.

Just be sure to duct tape your windows and doors from the inside and you should be safe.

Who do you think picks up the medical bills? Got a mirror?

Anything to take the USA down a notch... hah Steven?