Blog #2

*PCP Assignment*

This simulation was yet another learning experience for me. I chose to have my boyfriend hold a pillow over my face because it was a good indication of the trust I had in him. Throughout the assignment crazy thoughts came streaming into my mind... Was he going to obey the panic sign when I gave it to him? Do I have control of whether or not I am able to breath? As the minutes past it became harder and harder for me to suck in air. Some symptoms that I experienced were a headache, fast heart rate, anxiety, dizziness, chest pains, and tingly extremities. I think if I worked out more and took more vitamins, this assignment would have been easier for me to finish. It allowed me to see why people who have weak immune systems are more prone to PCP. During my research I found out that "PCP is the most common serious infection in people who have advanced HIV disease in the United States" (Pneumocystis Pneumonia 2007).


*Blogging Add On*
GHESKIO Relief in Haiti

With the death toll in the thousands due to the recent earthquake, I thought it would only be necessary to research an organization in Haiti. According to the GHESKIO official website, the GHESKIO Center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti was the first institution in the world dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS ("In the heart," 2007). GHESKIO began its mission in Haiti in 1982, and have done everything in their power to keep their doors always open. Due to the catastrophe, the GHESKIO center was heavily damaged. They are asking for people to donate what they can to ensure that they are up and running as soon as possible. This organization is one of the reasons why Haiti's HIV prevention has become better in the past twenty years.

Their mission is to

"provide integrated primary care services, including HIV counseling, AIDS care, prenatal care, and management of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections. Through the conduct of research, GHESKIO defines HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention models for Haiti. Through training, GHESKIO expands these models to the national level" ("In the heart," 2007).

There was one aspect of the organization that really caught my eye and that was the counseling that they provide to patients:

"All patients tested for HIV receive pre and post-test counseling. Counseling includes an assessment of the patient’s knowledge of HIV transmission and the development of a personalized HIV risk-reduction strategy for each patient. All patients are encouraged to visit the family planning clinic, where condoms and other family planning options are offered. Individualized counseling is provided for each HIV-positive patient" ("In the heart," 2007).

In the heart of port-au-prince: gheskio relief in haiti. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.gheskio.org/


*Did You Know?!*

Did you know that ten percent of all hospital personnel are injured a year due to needle stick injuries? This percentage is still high considering all of the regulations that have been put forth to eliminate this problem. The number one thing on every Healthcare workers mind should be their own safety, but this could in fact stress them out to the point where they mess up. I recently just left a job because the managers took up so much time explaining the mistakes that could cost you your job. Every time I went to work all I thought about was trying not to mess up. This put so much anxiety on me in everything that I did; therefore, I was consistently messing up.

Did you know that "One of the most common and dangerous injuries sustained by Healthcare workers is an accidental needle prick from contaminated needles? According to one study, at least 20 pathogens including the AIDS virus and Hepatitis B virus are transmitted by accidental needle stick injuries" ("Health concerns," 2009-2010).

Health concerns. (2009-2010). Retrieved from http://www.desertinc.com/HealthConcerns.html