The Changing Face of HIV discussion post

I am submitting three discussion post from three individuals and I need three different responses to the post. I need you to provide constructive and insightful comments that go beyond that of agree or disagree. 1)This post is from Alessia: According to the article Every Nurse is an HIV Nurse, routine testing for HIV should be performed in all medial settings for persons between the ages of 13-64 regardless of possibility of infection. Early detection AND treatment can promote wellbeing and longevity and reduce the exposure of the virus from persons not aware of their infection. The article also mentions that often times young adolescents are over looked when it comes to HIV testing and should not be. Many adolescents have unprotected sex and experiment with drugs making the need for them to get tested just as important as an adult. The role of the RN is to promote wellbeing and educate through teaching. This means explaining what HIV is, mode of transmission, prevention, and for known cases management of the infection for all persons between the ages of 13-64. Another important role of the RN is to encourage patients to receive a test and sign consent for the test. It may take some patience and persuasion but the time is well spent if it means just one more person received testing. Promoting adherence in HIV treatment can begin at the RN level. For example, informing patients of what symptoms are expected for the medications they are on will increase the likelihood that they continue to take them. Also, explaining the health risks associated with medication noncompliance is important in ensuring the patient sticks to the regime. Working at the correctional setting I have quite a bit of experience in encouraging patients to receive the HIV testing that is offered. Generally it requires just a finger stick and results are available within 5 minutes. Most often I find that the patient's want the testing and on occasion just a little reinforcement as to why the testing is important sways an immediate "no" to go ahead with the testing. 2)This post is from Kellie: Although tremendous strides have been made in education, treatment, and management of HIV/AIDS, the changing demographics of the disease clearly show there is still much work to be done. While the HIV virus proliferates and antibodies form, most people are asymptomatic. According to aids.gov, over 1 million people in the US are living with HIV and 1 in 5 do not even realize they are infected. Understanding that there is no cure for the disease, and the outcome is certain death, makes this disease as dangerous as it ever was. The first reported cases of HIV were identified some 30 years ago, and the disease was commonly associated with the male homosexual lifestyle. Today, HIV is more prevalent in non-white communities and is becoming more widespread among women; transmitted primarily via heterosexual sexual contact. Exploring the reasons underlying the changing face of this disease is multifaceted and complicated. When exploring the complex layers, one might see the primary reasons for the shift as lack of education, lack of resources and fear. While the disease is obviously still prevalent, marketing and educational campaigns are not as predominant as they were 15 to 20 years ago when the epidemic was still new and not fully understood. Treatment options are far advanced from what they were in the past; consequently, many people may get the idea that HIV/AIDS is not as dangerous as it used to be. Greater knowledge of the pathophysiology, advances in screening and early detection, effective treatment options, and the expertise to control the disease, make living with HIV much more tolerable today. In fact, due to effective screening methods and early treatment, life expectancy has been extended considerably and thus most treatment is conducted on an outpatient basis. From a nursing perspective, the nurse must be well schooled and observant in identifying both educational and screening opportunities. He or she must have an understanding of the demographics in their area where HIV might be more prevalent. Volunteering at local clinics and schools is a worthy investment in time to promote the message of HIV transmission, safe sex practices and protection. The professional nurse should be informed about their state laws as it pertains to HIV privacy and confidentiality laws. Because of the high percentage of individuals who are unaware of their own infective status, or who choose not to divulge their positive status, nurses should be vigilant in practicing universal precautions no matter which patient they are working with. Nurses should assume every patient has an infectious disease, and that they as nurses are capable of inadvertently transferring contagious/infective diseases. There are a multitude of clinical manifestations, side effects of treatment, and opportunistic infections related to this disease. The nurse has a responsibility to understand the complex pathophysiology, transmission properties, and therapeutic interventions associated with caring for the patient with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, the nurse must also check the knowledge level of the patient and inquire into their medication regimen. If the nurse has a full working knowledge of the pharmacological benefits and side effects, he or she can better assist the patient with education around the importance of compliancy. The nurse should also be knowledgeable in teaching the patient about self-care techniques that may involve complementary therapies. A nurse who understands the complexities of HIV/AIDS can become a valued partner in the care offered to these patients. A sensitive and empathetic nurse can dramatically add to the quality of life experienced by this patient population. 3)This post is from Daina:Educating the patient concerning safe sex, HIV testing, new methods of testing and treatment is key in bringing understanding of the importance to the patient. In the last decade, advancement in the testing of HIV has made vast leaps and bounds. A rapid HIV testing kit is available over-the-counter and the results are completed within 30 minutes. Also, identifing and addressing oportunistic infections that enjoy to ride that of the patient suffering already, can be detected at an earlier stage because of the advancement of testing. It is important for the RN to discuss medication compliance and what to expect while the patient is on the HIV medication. It may be neccessary for the RN to make available resources if the cost of the medications are too high and/or the patient cannot afford the medication. It is important for the RN to make the patient aware of all implications and complications if compliance is not maintained of medication administration. It is impairative that the RN is supportive while explaining and answering questions of the patient to make the patient aware of the support of the nursing staff during this time in their life. It may be neccessary for the RN to survey the patients' lifestyle choices and discuss changing their lifestyle so that their life may regain quality and longevity. It may be requires to expain the deadly implication if adherence is not maintained. As the RN, providing resources, support and a listening hear to the patient and their family can bring some kind of ease to a devistating diagnosis