Question: "Aren't you afraid you will get HIV if your child gets scratched, or bleeds?"
NO!
At one point, yes I was afraid this might be a risk. But then the Lord allowed us to meet a wonderful online friend, and then later a doctor and his wife, who were also adopting children with HIV. And while on our adoption trip we had the opportunity to meet another doctor who deals exclusively with HIV+ children. All of these people and their knowledge and experience helped ease our fears and answer our questions about HIV and HIV adoption.
You are at risk of contracting HIV if you fit into one of two categories:
1. You live a high risk lifestyle (sexual promiscuity, and IV drug sharing)
2. You were born to, or breastfed by, an individual who engages in high risk activities.
Twenty five years ago or so, you would have been at risk if you received blood transfusions, but this is no longer considered a risk factor, as blood is now thoroughly screened for HIV and other diseases.
HIV is never transferred through casual contact such as hugging, kissing, sneezing, swimming, bathtubs, toilets, etc. and never from child to child or child to adult.
So NO I am not afraid of getting HIV and you shouldn't be either! We take care of cuts and scrapes and bleeding exactly the same way we care for all of our children. We clean up the blood and dispose of it as soon as possible. We keep cuts covered. Our rule is that if someone bleeds, Mom is called to clean it up. No matter who it is. Just normal stuff.
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8 comments:
I just started following your blog and really appreciate your honesty. Looking forward to hearing more answers to the FAQs.
Mary
Love that you've started sharing about HIV! My Olivia has her own blog and is HIV+ if anyone would like to see what a "real live child with HIV" is like! :)
http://heroesinspiringvision.blogspot.com
does your child know or understand that they have hiv?
I feel so honored to have met your family and look forward to getting to know you better!!
Charissa,
What do you mean it can never be transferred from "child to child or child to adult"? Does that mean that only adults can spread it or am I reading that wrong?
Your confused cousin,
Dalene :)
Linda, who does not blog, said:
I agree with Leslie & thank our mighty Lord for bringing you Urbans into my life!
I've heard there has never been a case of HIV transmission from just living with someone. You have to have an intimate relationship. So husband and wife or that kind of relationship. Knowledge is power. Thanks for talking about it so we can all learn.
Do you know the lifespan for children who contract HIV via childbirth but have access to HIV medications?
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