Well, this week there is no particular blogging subject to speak of so lets talk about what went on in class during the previous week. At first, I was met with a problem when trying to complete Module 1. The bookstore had sent me the wrong CD with the HIV Course label on the front. I live three hours from campus so I had to get the correct CD overnighted to my house in order to finish the assignment. Just a little bit stressful, but I was able to finish the assignment all the same.
I found the different theories behind the origin of HIV to be very interesting. Growing up, I had always heard that the HIV virus originally came from a monkey. I remember in middle school hearing that a human had sex with a monkey and that is how the disease was introduced to mankind. Obviously that is a far fetched theory, but it goes to show how little is taught to correct such misconceptions about HIV. To be honest, this class is the first time I have ever heard real, logical theories presented about the origin of HIV. You would think that a major pandemic that kills masses of people around the world would be an important topic in middle or high school. Unfortunately, anything I learned about HIV in those years was from word of mouth or the television.
Also, I have really enjoyed how the QOTW has forced me to put myself in someone else's shoes - some very difficult shoes. The situations are always realistic and cause for some introspective thinking on my part. This week's QOTW made me wonder what some options are for tourists that are thinking ahead and want to stay safe in such a situation. The Western Province Blood Transfusion Service website gave a couple excellent options. First, they recommended completing a group compatibility profile if you are traveling with a group of people. This profile will show blood grouping and antibody screening tests conducted on each member of the party in order to find out which member could safely donate blood to another member in the group. Of course, each member in the group would also be tested for transfusion transmissible diseases.
Another option provided on the website was for tourists to carry blood collection bags and the equipment required for the transfusion. The bags and needles must be sealed and sterile. A physician or a nurse must be present to conduct the transfusion but the tourist would feel safer knowing the contents of their blood bag. Before this class, I would have never even thought about a possible blood transfusion before traveling to another country. I feel that after this lesson, if I were to travel out of the country, I would do all I can to educate myself about other countries' blood banks and how they screen donors.
For more information about traveling to Africa, please visit http://www.blood.org.za/tourists.html
******DID YOU KNOW!!*******
Did you know that the transmission of HIV from mother to child can occur in utero, during labor or after delivery? However, 65% of newborns with HIV become infected during labor. A cesarean section at 38 weeks can reduce the chance of HIV transmission during labor, but surgery can be very dangerous for the mother.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0515/p2049.html
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The surgery is also more dangerouse for the doctors so many choose not to do C-sections even though they know it could prevent transmission to the baby.
ReplyDeleteNice to see that they recommended group screenings. I have not see one reply, at least I don't remember seeing one, where someone mentions finding out if anyone in the hotel or on their group safari is blood compatible. That would have been one of my first thoughts. I like the idea of having the tour company have eveyone screened and then if something happened they would know who could donate.
Nice blog, Courtney
Courtney,
ReplyDeleteAs far as group screening is concerned, I wasn't even aware that existed. What an innovative yet simple idea.
I'm also dismayed at your Did You Know statistic. Is this for the United States or the world? I'll be checking that link and hoping it's a world statistic. Either way, it's still a sad state of affairs. With all of the medications that can possibly avoid a positive result from mother to newborn, it is my wish that all countries had access. Many people in underdeveloped countries go through the process of anti-retrovirals during pregnancy, then breast feed after. Only through education and access can we help others what we have somewhat achieved here in the U.S.
Thanks for the informative blog!
Hello Courtney,
ReplyDeleteI did not even think of group screenings. That is definitely something I would do if I were to travel to another country. This question of the week has brought up a topic that I was not aware of, and I look forward to the future topics. I learned a lot from your blog, and now I know for my next QOTW I need to step it up a notch.
Sorry to hear about your 1st Module.. I had a bad experience also. I have been working on Module 2 since Saturday, so I hope I can make up for my poor Module 1 grade.
I never thought about incorporating the people I traveled with on the vacation into the scenario. You brought up a good point because I am sure a lot of people would want the option of having the people they came with tested for the blood transfusion or other procedures that need to be done. I visited the website that you linked and it was very informative. After this module, if some people had a few fears, this information might prove to ease their minds.
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