Are you like me in regards to HIV+ kids? I am actually ashamed that I call myself a ‘learner’ and had not taken the time to understand the stories of children that are HIV+. I have been dumb on this front. I just knew it didn’t bother me. That’s all.
This week, the boys and I were with 3 former HIV+ orphans (making that 5 former orphans just a year ago!) playing in sprinklers, eating popsicles and having the best of times. I found myself embarrassed that I knew so little. So I asked. That and some reading has spurred me on to putting info in the hands of others.
My purpose is twofold:
1) I don’t want these precious kids to be isolated or feared by my kids or yours. There’s no reason for such ignorance!
2)there are thousands of children who will never have families and possibly not even life without people understanding how manageable this illness is.
So, I hope you’ll take time to learn for yourself and maybe you too will have the chance to see a glimpse of God’s heart for them. Of course there’s adoption, but there are other ways we can care for these kids. Sponsorship is a great need for many of them.
Oh...and JUST IN CASE your heart desires to open your family NOW to a HIV+ 4.5 year old precious girl and her 2.5 year old brother home from the Ukraine, I just might have an idea;) They need to know Jesus loves them too!
Here are some great links:
http://www.fromhivtohome.org/
http://www.projecthopeful.org/
http://positivelyorphaned.org/
http://specialneedsadoption.rainbowkids.com/HIV_Positive.aspx
Some info from these sources....
But isn’t HIV contagious? HIV is a very fragile virus, and there are very specific ways that it is transmitted. HIV is only transmitted when the virus enters the bloodstream. This only occurs through sexual contact; through the use of contaminated needles or other sharp instruments, or receiving a transfusion of HIV-infected blood products; and from a mother who is HIV-infected to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, labour and delivery, and breastfeeding. HIV transmission does not occur with normal household contact. It is not transmitted through tears, saliva, mucous or other bodily fluids. It is considered a “communicable” disease – meaning you can’t simply “catch” it. In addition, when an infected person is on treatment, the levels of HIV in the blood are brought so low that they are considered undetectable – meaning the possibility of transmission – even through contact with blood, semen, or vaginal fluid – is that much more remote.
Aren’t these children going to die after their families bring them home? Many people don’t realize that the prognosis for children on treatment for their HIV is excellent. They are expected to live long, normal lives. In fact, in the west, HIV is now considered a chronic illness rather than the terminal disease it used to be. Sadly, this isn’t the case for those HIV infected children living in resource-poor settings, where 50% of infected and untreated children are not expected to live past the age of two.
Is it true that you can have HIV and not develop AIDS? Absolutely! There are over 20 medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of HIV, and more are in development. These medications bring the levels of the virus so low in the body that the virus can be considered undetectable in the bloodstream. Patients receiving treatment for HIV can expect to live long, healthy lives without developing AIDS.
******
What if I catch HIV from my child? Many people don’t know that HIV is a very fragile virus. As soon as it leaves the body, it begins to die. There are no documented cases of HIV transmission through casual household or school contact. HIV+ children can (and do!) share cups, baths, pools, dishes, bathrooms, etc.! In addition, when children are on treatment for their HIV, the amount of the virus in their bloodstream can be brought so low that it is considered “undetectable” – meaning the amount of the virus in the blood, even through contact with blood, has been brought so low that the possibility of transmission has become even more remote.
This week, the boys and I were with 3 former HIV+ orphans (making that 5 former orphans just a year ago!) playing in sprinklers, eating popsicles and having the best of times. I found myself embarrassed that I knew so little. So I asked. That and some reading has spurred me on to putting info in the hands of others.
My purpose is twofold:
1) I don’t want these precious kids to be isolated or feared by my kids or yours. There’s no reason for such ignorance!
2)there are thousands of children who will never have families and possibly not even life without people understanding how manageable this illness is.
So, I hope you’ll take time to learn for yourself and maybe you too will have the chance to see a glimpse of God’s heart for them. Of course there’s adoption, but there are other ways we can care for these kids. Sponsorship is a great need for many of them.
Oh...and JUST IN CASE your heart desires to open your family NOW to a HIV+ 4.5 year old precious girl and her 2.5 year old brother home from the Ukraine, I just might have an idea;) They need to know Jesus loves them too!
Here are some great links:
http://www.fromhivtohome.org/
http://www.projecthopeful.org/
http://positivelyorphaned.org/
http://specialneedsadoption.rainbowkids.com/HIV_Positive.aspx
Some info from these sources....
But isn’t HIV contagious? HIV is a very fragile virus, and there are very specific ways that it is transmitted. HIV is only transmitted when the virus enters the bloodstream. This only occurs through sexual contact; through the use of contaminated needles or other sharp instruments, or receiving a transfusion of HIV-infected blood products; and from a mother who is HIV-infected to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, labour and delivery, and breastfeeding. HIV transmission does not occur with normal household contact. It is not transmitted through tears, saliva, mucous or other bodily fluids. It is considered a “communicable” disease – meaning you can’t simply “catch” it. In addition, when an infected person is on treatment, the levels of HIV in the blood are brought so low that they are considered undetectable – meaning the possibility of transmission – even through contact with blood, semen, or vaginal fluid – is that much more remote.
Aren’t these children going to die after their families bring them home? Many people don’t realize that the prognosis for children on treatment for their HIV is excellent. They are expected to live long, normal lives. In fact, in the west, HIV is now considered a chronic illness rather than the terminal disease it used to be. Sadly, this isn’t the case for those HIV infected children living in resource-poor settings, where 50% of infected and untreated children are not expected to live past the age of two.
Is it true that you can have HIV and not develop AIDS? Absolutely! There are over 20 medications approved by the FDA for the treatment of HIV, and more are in development. These medications bring the levels of the virus so low in the body that the virus can be considered undetectable in the bloodstream. Patients receiving treatment for HIV can expect to live long, healthy lives without developing AIDS.
******
What if I catch HIV from my child? Many people don’t know that HIV is a very fragile virus. As soon as it leaves the body, it begins to die. There are no documented cases of HIV transmission through casual household or school contact. HIV+ children can (and do!) share cups, baths, pools, dishes, bathrooms, etc.! In addition, when children are on treatment for their HIV, the amount of the virus in their bloodstream can be brought so low that it is considered “undetectable” – meaning the amount of the virus in the blood, even through contact with blood, has been brought so low that the possibility of transmission has become even more remote.
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