Category: News

HIV, News, WalesLeave a comment

HIV Charity closure seems to be result of devolution

Michael McFarland Campbell

The Tyddyn Bach Trust respite centre in Penmaenmawr in Wales which has provided much-needed respite care for over 2,000 individuals and families affected by HIV since 1997 closed its doors. As a former trustee of Northern Ireland’s leading HIV charity, The HIV Support Centre, I have some idea of how difficult it can be to get funding from health authorities and others to support your work. The MP for Aberconwy, Guto Bebb, said that it was a tragedy the centre had to close. He suggested that the closure is an unintended result of devolution within the United Kingdom. Clients coming … Continue reading HIV Charity closure seems to be result of devolution

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HIV, news, News, Northern Ireland lifeLeave a comment

Crosspost: #HIV statistics pose more questions…

Michael McFarland Campbell

How many people are living with HIV in Northern Ireland? It seems that that question brings different answers from different organisations. The latest figures from the Public Health Agency stated There are now 474 people living with HIV infection in Northern Ireland. However, Rob Anderson, Chairman of The HIV Support Centre said: In Northern Ireland there are approximately 1000 people living with HIV in Northern Ireland however it is estimated that this could be as high as 1250. It would be interesting to know what the true figure is. With a little bit of curiosity I found the following information… … Continue reading Crosspost: #HIV statistics pose more questions…

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Blogging, CD4 count, health, HIV, News, Viral loadLeave a comment

results and more tests…

hivblogger

It’s only two weeks since I was up at the HIV clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. That appointment was an emergency one due to the somewhat awful cough and chest infection from which I was suffering at the time. The news back then was that the results from May’s blood tests were very encouraging:

CD4 = 190 (9%)
VL = undetectable

Well, today I had the results of the tests on the blood taken two weeks ago. Whilst the CD4 count is down numerically to 140, the percentage is the same at 9%. This was not entirely unexpected as my body was fighting the chest infection at the time. Viral Load was once again undetectable.

My consultant, Dr Carol Emerson, reckoned that this was all down to a certain Andrew. Continue reading “results and more tests…”

Belfast, CD4 count, Drugs, Health, HIV, MRSA, news, News, PVL-MRSA, Viral load4 Comments

another day, the RVH again

Michael McFarland Campbell

This morning Andrew and I toddled up to Belfast‘s Royal Victoria Hospital once more, after last night’s abscess burst, and sat around whilst the normal business of the CUM glinic went on about us. Eventually, Dr Killian Quinn, called for me – and off I went. He didn’t take any swabs from the abscess which I had thought was the principal reason for attending the clinic. That is to ensure that it was just (the now normal) PVL-MRSA. However he did prescribe the usual special wash and Bactroban nasal spray – for the next five days. What fun! And of … Continue reading another day, the RVH again

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Health, HIV, News3 Comments

The best is yet to come…. hang in there

hivblogger

I’m writing because when you are first diagnosed as living with HIV, many people think that life is over; that there is no future. When I was first diagnosed I was one of those. So many people told me that HIV is not a death sentence Life is for living You must remain positive. And I tried to believe them – it is not always easy. But I can tell you that if you hang in there, life will bring new surprises, new friends, and new joys. It is not possible to look into the future and to know what … Continue reading The best is yet to come…. hang in there

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Daily Mail, Health, HIV, Mail on Sunday, Media, News, Newspapers, Wikileaks1 Comment

Mail on Sunday continues to show prejudice: why am I surprised?

Michael McFarland Campbell

Amidst the stories surrounding the founder of WikLeaks, Julian Assange, today’s Mail on Sunday, the headline appears

Accusers went to police after he refused AIDS test

mail on sunday assange 2010-12-19It has to be said that the text of the story refers to an HIV test – but the headlines that which grabs the readers’ attention is using incorrect language. Moreover, it is offensive to the many people throughout the world living with HIV – and as has been said before, I am one of them.

By sensationalising the story, the Editor of the Mail on Sunday breaches the the Guidelines for reporting HIV published by NAT, Continue reading “Mail on Sunday continues to show prejudice: why am I surprised?”