Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome crosses all lines, ages and cultures, said Kathy Saichuk, a member of Monday’s discussion panel on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
Saichuk, a coordinator for the Student Health Center, and other panel members discussed issues concerning AIDS and its presence in Baton Rouge. The panel, coordinated by Ike Netters, manager of the African American Cultural Center, was part of World AIDS Day.
The panel also included others from AIDS and HIV outreach programs in Baton Rouge. Tyson Jackson, an HIV prevention coordinator for Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge and an University alumnus, learned that he was HIV-positive 10 years ago. Jackson said he now focuses on sharing his story.
“I’m given an appreciation for things a lot of people take for granted,” Jackson said. “I don’t worry about the small things in life.”
Jackson said he must remember to take medicine and get enough rest to stay healthy, but for the most part, he has made a mental change.
Eugene Collins, education and prevention program director for the Baton Rouge AIDS Society, A.J. Johnson, director of student programs and resources, and Cynthia Tate, a psychology senior and student worker at the Office of Multicultural Affairs, also were panel members.
Overall, the panel members addressed the problem that there is not enough education about safe sexual practices and sexually transmitted diseases available to young people.
The panel began by addressing the common assumption that HIV and AIDS are the same.
“AIDS is a diagnosis, not anything tangible,” Johnson said.
The panel also addressed current changes in HIV/AIDS trends.
Johnson noted female heterosexuals are becoming the primary group infected, while homosexual males previously were the group most affected.
“There also will be a high increase in heterosexual men because of the increasing number of heterosexual women with HIV,” Johnson said.
The panel also addressed a declining fear of the disease, citing the increasing effectiveness of medicines that allow many people with the illness to live longer.
Jackson said the disease is treatable only to a certain degree. The medicines do not work as well when the virus mutates, and the doctor and patient must start at the beginning to treat the new form of the disease.
After addressing the basic statistics, the panel focused on the HIV and AIDS issue in Baton Rouge.
According to 2002 statistics, Baton Rouge ranks second in the country in AIDS case rates.
“We have people out there providing services and opportunities that make people go get tested,” Johnson said.
Johnson said because of the services Baton Rouge provides, people are realizing they must get tested. Johnson said the ranking may be skewed because services vary from city to city, and not all cities count cases similarly.
“We are achieving our goal and encouraging these people to get tested,” Collins said. “We have opened Pandora’s Box, and good things will not happen at first. But, the behavior change comes over time.”
The AIDS Memorial Quilt serves as a memorial from friends, family and significant others of those who have died of AIDS. Some of the panels from the 44,000-panel quilt are on display in the Union Ballroom from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also, the LSU World AIDS Day Planning Committee is sponsoring an AIDS Vigil tonight at the Greek Amphitheater at 6 p.m. The Vigil will remember those who have been affected by AIDS.