In the mid to late 80's in Canada, it was widely believed that Women were pretty much safe from HIV infections. HIV was believed to be a gay mans disease. Yes, it was true that in some parts of the world HIV was a heterosexual disease, and many women were infected; however, in Canada, it was believed the strain of the virus was different and resistant to vaginal secretions. How naive we can be sometimes.
During this time period, a man in Ontario was deliberatly infecting women with the virus. Charles Ssenyounga. Mr Ssenyounga was charged for his crime and went to trial, but he passed away from AIDS related infections before the end of the trial.
During my research a fact that I found stunning is, we went from believing women were safe from HIV, to women being one of the fastest growing group for new infections that exisits today.
Women alone represent 24% of all new cases of HIV, half of new infections are in 15 - 24 year olds. (National Association of People with AIDS) (primary source of stats: CDC)
Women face several treatment issues that are unique to them.
Key issues from the Canadian AIDS Soceity include:
Pharmaceutical companies and the medical community must remove barriers preventing women from joining drug studies. Governments must remove the social and economic barriers preventing women from gaining access to treatment. Women need greater social and economic support if they are to receive effective treatment.
Women must be included in more drug studies.
Women must be encouraged to get tested for HIV, and HIV-positive women must be closely monitored for all gynecological changes.
Lack of scientific research makes fighting HIV in women more difficult. Gender-specific studies on side effects of drugs needs to be investigated in greater depth. It may be necessary to develop drug guidelines that deal specifically with the physiology of women. Side effects reported by HIV-positive women must be taken seriously and studied in greater depth.
Despite understanding that women are just as vulnerable to HIV infection, it would seem that we still don't protect ourselves well. Our rates of new infections continue to rise dramatically, as well we are less likely to be tested for HIV in the early stages.
One other fact that I found if you need proof that AIDS has not been beaten yet: Globally about 7,000 people 10 to 24 years old are infected with HIV everyday. That means that there are 5 young people infected every minute in the world. Am I spelling Pandemic correctly?
For more information about the Charles Ssenyounga case in Ontario. June Callwoods book Trial Without End available at libaries, will both enlighten you, and frighten you.