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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 12, 2008 - 25 New case manager deals with AIDS/HIV By Tim Whitnell METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Given the probability that there are at least a couple of hundred residents in Halton living with HIV or AIDS, the time was considered right to have a fulltime person work here with infected individuals. The AIDS Network unveiled its new Halton-specific outreach and awareness poster campaign and announced the hiring of Rebecca Skibinski as a case manager for the region. The announcement was made at Halton Region to mark the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), and as part of AIDS Awareness Week 2008. The AIDS Network is a member of AIDS Action Halton, a partnership also involving the Halton Region Public Health Department, The Miriam Group, The Posse Project and other community organizations serving the region. Also announced was that the Halton Region Health Department's Sexual Health Clinic has implemented anonymous Point of Care HIV testing in all four of its clinic sites in Burlington, Acton, Milton and Georgetown. Anonymous testing is to encourage those at high risk of exposure to HIV to get tested. Point of Care screens for the detection of antibodies to HIV by using a single drop of blood; it can be determined in 60 seconds whether or not an individual has developed antibodies to HIV. "This is a remarkable commitment to ensure easy and confidential access to HIV testing in this region," Adrian Betts, interim executive director of The AIDS Network, said in a news release. "There are approximately 17,000 Canadians living with HIV who don't even know it. New initiatives like this are a tremendous step forward in the fight against this deadly disease." The new case manager position to be filled by Skibinski is funded by the Ministry of Health's AIDS Bureau. She will be responsible for support programs LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER to all Halton residents infected and affected by NEW POST: The AIDS Network's poster campaign and its new Halton case manager, Rebecca Skibinski. HIV/AIDS. "I am very pleased funding has been made available ments recommended by diagnosis per 100,000 people. "It's difficult for us to for a case manager dedicat- HIV physicians, facilitates access to special medication know how many people ed to persons living with HIV in Halton Region," through the Trillium have HIV/AIDS in Halton," Jean Round, executive Foundation and Ontario Skibinski said. Some may be unwilling director of The Miriam Disability Support Program, and offers free access to one to acknowledge they are Child and Family Support of three food programs that infected and others may not Group, said in a release. The Miriam group is a provide fresh fruits and veg- know, she said. "There is a perception Burlington-based organiza- etables, boxed foods and prepared frozen meals. out there that HIV doesn't tion catering to the needs of The network also exist in Halton," she said. HIV infected/affected chilarranges for support For information, call dren and their families in groups, workshops and Skibinski at 905-528-0854, Halton and Hamilton. ext. 226, or 1-866-563Skibinski said her role social outings. Skibinski said in 2003 0563, or e-mail her at will differ from the Miriam group's in that she will focus Halton was estimated to have rebeccas@aidsnetwork.ca. · · · more on individual coun- 164 people with the HIV virus, which leads to AIDS, According to the Mayo selling with the infected perand another 94 had AIDS. Clinic website (www.mayson and within Halton. "I do all the things all The statistics are from a study oclinic.com), "AIDS is a the (AIDS Network) case compiled by the department chronic, life-threatening managers do elsewhere of health sciences at the condition caused by the human immunodeficiency except I'm doing it in University of Toronto. She said the Halton virus (HIV). By damaging Halton." The AIDS Network, Region Health Unit reported your immune system, HIV through its case managers, 14 new diagnoses of interferes with your body's helps HIV/AIDS individuals HIV/AIDS in the region in ability to fight off viruses, with immigration and 2007. Halton is ranked 15th bacteria and fungi that housing issues, provides out of 37 regions in Ontario cause disease. HIV makes free vitamins and supple- in terms of the rate of HIV you more susceptible to certain types of cancers and to infections your body would normally resist, such as pneumonia and meningitis. The virus and the infection itself are known as HIV. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the name given to the later stages of an HIV infection. "Anyone of any age, race, sex or sexual orientation can be infected with HIV, but you're at greatest risk of HIV/AIDS if you: · Have unprotected sex with multiple partners. You're at risk whether you're heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Unprotected sex means having sex without using a new latex or polyurethane condom every time. · Have unprotected sex with someone who is HIV-positive. · Have another sexually transmitted disease, such as syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea or bacterial vaginosis. · Share needles during intravenous drug use. · Received a blood transfusion or blood products before 1985. · Have fewer copies of a gene called CCL3L1 that helps fight HIV infection. · Newborns or nursing infants whose mothers tested positive for HIV but did not receive treatment also are at high risk." Take your first steps to becoming a better dancer! 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