U.S. President George Bush ignores methods of HIV prevention that work!
Who is informing the president on HIV and AIDS?


Failure of the American president to recognize the need to promote condoms has not only undermined over two decades of HIV prevention that work but also, the president’s government policies on HIV/AIDS prevention are endangering lives! President Bush is not in touch with what works and what doesn't. He fails to understand the importance of promoting condom use to prevent HIV infections from occurring. Condoms have been used successfully to prevent HIV infections from the time, when HIV was first known to be a sexually transmitted disease!

Due to his faith-based beliefs, President Bush has completely disregarded the successes of HIV/AIDS programs that promote condom use. Preventative information, the need to use a condom, instruction on how to use a condom and providing condoms should be forefront in HIV preventative efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. This president has undermined the importance of condom usage and instead, promotes fidelity and abstinence as top priorities.

Fidelity and abstinence are known to be of little effect in reducing HIV infection! Many people have been infected with HIV while believing that they were in a monogamous (faithful) relationship. However, their partner was not faithful! Abstinence is a choice but with that comes the need to recognize the importance of using a condom once the person chooses to become active sexually. Individuals who choose abstinence are often infected with HIV because they do not use a condom when they begin a sexual relationship.

We know that in the twenty-five years since the emergence of HIV, there have been nearly 30 million deaths and currently, over 40 million people are infected with human immune deficiency virus (HIV). The President of the United States and others must realize the important role of condoms in prevention of disease. Consider these points:

HIV does not discriminate and infects people of every age, sex, race, culture, faith and sexual orientation.

Condoms save lives.

Condoms can and do prevent HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Promoting condoms does not promote sexual activity.

Individuals who engage in sex without a condom are at risk of being infected with HIV or multiple HIV exposures, putting themselves and others at risk of HIV infection. When HIV infection occurs, an individual is at risk of being resistant to all the HIV/AIDS drugs that the person who infected them was using.

The number of people infected with HIV who do not get tested is likely in the millions. There are individuals who know they have been infected with HIV but who have opted out of getting tested.

There are men (in relationships with women) who do not define themselves as gay but who are engaging in unprotected sex with men.

Unfortunately, with the spread of HIV, there are now what is referred to as ‘Bug Chasers’ and ‘Gifters’. Bug chasers are individuals who are looking (seeking out) to be infected with HIV. Gifters are those who would purposely give (infect) HIV to an HIV negative individual.

There are heterosexuals, bisexuals, transsexuals, lesbians and homosexuals who are engaging in sex without a condom. Oral and anal sex is on the rise! HIV infection occurs in all of these groups.

HIV infections occur through sex workers (prostitution).

HIV Infections occur through the sharing of needles (IV drug users).

Individuals assume from HIV/AIDS media reports that unless they live in places like Africa, China, Russia, India and others where HIV infections are climbing, that they are unlikely to be infected with HIV. Wrong! HIV infection occurs within and outside of high-risk groups. People who believed themselves NOT in a high-risk group are being infected! The spread of HIV has broadened its reaches to encompass much of the world. Many people fail to see that it is a very real threat in their own communities, regardless of the location.

Everyone should be informed of these matters.


President Bush has policies, which do not support, denies or withdraws its funding to NGOs, HIV/AIDS organizations and others who promote condom use as a first line of defense for HIV prevention and this is frightening! Equally scary is Presidents Bush's misguided HIV prevention policies. These policies restrict U.S. funding to U.S. and global NGOs and HIV/AIDS organizations, which provide services for sex workers and IV drug users. These policies have frustrated and angered the rest of the world!

In twenty-five years, we have three generations (mothers, daughters and their children) infected with HIV! Lack of prevention in the spread of HIV means many more generations will be burdened with HIV infections and AIDS deaths!

Misguided or ill informed, U.S. President George Bush has not put in place evidenced based HIV/AIDS preventative policies. This administration’s present HIV prevention policies do not address the needs of Americans (1 million Americans are infected with HIV) or those in any other part of the world.

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ since 1984
www.PositivelyPositive.ca
Vancouver, Canada

Bio-Alcamid Receives Health Canada Approval!

The arrival of Bio-Alcamid™ is exceptional news to men and women suffering from Lipoatrophy, the disfiguring condition that is often a result of the antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV infection and AIDS.

Press Release
BIO-ALCAMID™ RECEIVES HEALTH CANADA APPROVAL!

The Injectable Filler Offers an Effective, Affordable Treatment for Facial Lipoatrophy, the Facial Wasting Associated with HIV Infection and AIDS

Pur Medical Corporation, a Canadian distributor of innovative medical and medical cosmetic enhancement products, has introduced Bio-Alcamid™ to the Canadian market. In use in a number of European countries since 2001, Bio-Alcamid™ is an injectable solution which restores the natural fullness and contours of the face when injected under the skin. The arrival of Bio-Alcamid™ is exceptional news to men and women suffering from Lipoatrophy, the disfiguring condition that is often a result of the antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV infection and AIDS.

Lipoatrophy, often referred to as facial wasting, has become the “scarlet letter” of HIV, a public mark of HIV infection. The daily arsenal of antiretroviral drugs can take a tremendous toll on the quality of daily life causing anemia, extreme fatigue and severe gastrointestinal problems. With the addition of the facial disfigurement of Lipoatrophy, patients are forced to endure a constant visual reminder of the infection, essentially announcing to the world that they are HIV positive or have AIDS. Often, the result is extreme depression, leading to a decision by some to forego the medication they require to survive.

“Until now, Canadian HIV patients living with facial Lipoatrophy have not had a viable treatment,” says Toronto cosmetic plastic surgeon, Frank Beninger, M.D., F.R.C.S. (C). “Bio-Alcamid™ may be used in the large volume necessary to restore fat loss. My patients have been thrilled with the results.” Mona Loufty, M.D., F.R.C.P. (C) MPH - Infectious Disease Specialist at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Medical Clinic concurs, saying “Bio-Alcamid™ has reversed the affects of Lipoatrophy in all the patients that we have treated. It is a quick, simple procedure with outstanding results.”

When injected under the skin, Bio-Alcamid™, an injectable gel polymer, replaces depleted fat tissue, restoring the natural fullness and contours of the face. Unlike other injectable fillers that are commonly used in cosmetic enhancement, Bio-Alcamid™ acts like a gel prosthesis that becomes encapsulated in a thin layer of collagen that isolates it from the host tissues. As a result, a physician can remove Bio-Alcamid™ should this ever be desired. Bio-Alcamid has been used outside Canada in large volumes for the reconstruction of other anatomical areas, namely, buttocks, de-nervated shoulders, and a majority of the time in Europe for facial aesthetic enhancement.

Since November, 2004, more than 1000 Bio-Alcamid treatments have been performed in Canada, under provisions of the Special Access Program, to exceptional results. Bio-Alcamid is now approved by Health Canada’s Medical Devices Bureau, with treatments available through select, trained physicians across Canada. Potential patients can find a physician treating Lipoatrophy with Bio-Alcamid™ by visiting www.purmedical.com or emailing info@purmedical.com. Alternatively, further information is also available from the Face Forward Foundation, www.faceforward.ca , a non-profit foundation that supports people dealing with the physical and psychological side effects of HIV infection.