World AIDS Day
Today is World AIDS day. An annual mark on the calendar to consider the disease that made headlines in the 1980s and stimulated a huge amount of interest in medical research, social research, and health communications. Many Australians who were adults in the 1980s may remember the grim reaper TV ‘ads’, advertising a need for greater awareness about HIV and AIDS and how to prevent infection.
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The 1980s
I was a medical student and a medical laboratory scientist at the time. I’d just earned my bachelor of medical science and I was growing up as a budding medical practitioner and pathologist as HIV infection diagnostics and treatments were being developed.
We now live in an era with effective HIV/AIDS treatments with few side effects and successful prophylactic drugs which allow people to knowingly engage in sexual intercourse with infected partners and be confident that infection transmission is unlikely.
Condoms or not
This is great news for people who are most at risk of infection, viz., men who have sex with other men and people who inject intravenous drugs. For MSMs this has heralded a liberation from condoms in the context of HIV transmission. However, what we will see is an increase in other sexually transmitted infections if condoms are not used. I’m seeing what I think is an increase in rectal and oral gonorrhoea when I’m authorising results. The use of condoms would reduce this as well as reduce the increase in syphilis cases being counted at the moment.
Euthanasia
In 1990 and 1991 as an intern and resident, I remember working in medical wards and having patients with HIV infection and some with AIDS. Like the death of anyone in hospital who has an affliction which eats away at the body or attacks the ability for someone to breath, death is long winded and painful. As I get older my personal views on euthanasia have softened. I can understand why people want a pain-free death
What have I watched this week?
I’m slowly getting through season 1 of Star Trek The Next Generation in my ST TNG rewatch. I’ll soon get to season 2, my least favourite season. This is the season without Dr Crusher.
What have I listened to this week?
Aptly, today I listened to “Meet the Microbiologist” from the American Society for Microbiology. Today’s show is named “HIV interaction with the human immunological system“.
What have I eaten this week?
McDonald’s
I’ve been undisciplined this week. I didn’t know until Wednesday that McDonald’s Family Restaurants had a November special. Every day of November meant a discount for MyMaccas app users. A couple of workmates got me into it on Wednesday.
I took it a step further on Friday evening
Muffins, Pork, and Spam
I’m also writing a blog post for Yummy Lummy on how to cook Coles crumbed pork chops.
You’ll also notice muffins and Spam this week.
This is a gallery of photographs. Click on one image and scroll through the rest of them.
Yummy Lummy this week
I will be writing a post this week and uploading it tomorrow (Sunday 2 December). You’ll have to wait and see what it’s about.
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Final thoughts
- Do you remember the Grim Reaper on TV in the 1980s?
- Do you know anyone with AIDS? Has your life been touched by HIV/AIDS?
- Do you have some weeks where you just eat whatever you like?
Few unhealthy choices this week Gary (ha ha) but loving the look of the salad you made. I remember when Princess Diana touched the HIV infected patients when she visited a hospice; that made international news as the majority of people thought you could not even touch an infected person; guess not a lot was known about the disease then.
Yes, Sue. Last week was a bit of a blow out.
So much has happened in HIV medicine since those early days. We just need to stay a few steps ahead of an ever mutating and adapting virus.
I do remember the Grim Reaper ads from the 80s, and I’ve also encountered them over the years as they came up in courses that I studied and random internet browsing. Back then I the ads made me shudder.
Haha Gaz. I thought you’d know sooner about the Maccas promotion for this month 😁 Most weeks I am pretty good with meal prep, even long work week days or six day work weeks. But sometimes…I just cave and have a burger 😁
It esscaped my attention Mabel. Two workmates made me aware and we went and each got a $2 quarter pounder. I think I should stop until 2019 😃😃😃
More Maccas for you Gaz 😃 I was hoping you’d do a recipe post on your Saturday noodles/ramen. It looked so good. You might have already done it before, but that was a good looking meal 😃
For you Mabel, I’ll do it sometime in the future 😃
Thank you so much Gaz. Cannot wait to see a ramen food post from you. I always wondered how you can keep the noodles crispy 😃