The decision to be tested for HIV is the first step in taking responsibility for yourself and the health of others with whom you may be intimately involved.

HIV testing locationsMany testing sites offer free testing, but some charge a fee. Some locations require an appointment; others accept walk-ins. Call ahead to be sure! On the Internet you can find a list of testing sites in your area by entering your zip code. Go to www.hivtest.org.

By phone, you may call:

WV AIDS/STD Hotline1-800-642-8244CAMC Ryan White Program care coordinator in Charleston(304) 388-9337 or toll-free: 1-877-565-4423National HIV/AIDS Hotline1-800-342-2437Your local county health department

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A man, a monkey, and the birth of the AIDS epidemicResearchers are now pretty sure when, where, and how the AIDS epidemic was born. When – around 1900. Where – in a small patch of forest in Cameroon, Africa. How – a hunter caught an infected chimpanzee for food and cut himself while butchering it, allowing the virus to pass from the chimp’s blood into his body.

As to the why, the epidemic’s birth and crucial nurturing occurred during Africa’s colonial period when Europeans invaded the primitive land, bringing masses of new people and technology in a race for wealth and fame.

The influx of Europeans was fueled by huge profits to be made from the exploitation of ivory and rubber. The only obstacle was that collecting the ivory and rubber required massive amounts of labor. Getting ivory meant stalking and killing elephants; and rubber had to be gathered from vines, which required collecting and drying their sap. The Europeans’ solution to their manpower demands was slave labor. Thousands of Africans were forced into service at gunpoint by European colonial powers.

These African porters carried goods and supplies anywhere that other ways of transportation couldn’t reach. This meant that they cut paths through the exact spot that researchers have now identified as the birthplace of the AIDS epidemic, where few people live even today. This was home to the chimps, where HIV-1 group M was born from a virus circulating among the chimp community concentrated in the area.

By the early 20th century, Kinshasa, then called Leopoldville, was the largest city in Central Africa, fueled by the dizzying growth of trade with the outside world. Once the virus made the leap from chimp to human, one of the first victims gave HIV to a sexual partner. There may have been a small outbreak around the trading station before the virus found its way aboard a steamship headed down the Sangha River, onto the Congo, and into Kinshasa.

This scenario had probably happened many times before, during the centuries when the region had little contact with the outside world. But now thousands of porters, from a thriving, hectic place jammed with people, were crossing through the area regularly, creating a population large enough to sustain an outbreak and a sexual culture in which people often had more than one partner, creating a combustible atmosphere ripe for an epidemic.

As scientists plotted out the genetic histories of the extensive family tree for HIV, they all

continued on page 4

A man, a monkey from page 1

This publication is supported by grant number H76HA00762-01 from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Early Intervention Services Part C Program. The publication’s contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of HRSA or the Part C Program.

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appeared to have spread from a single explosion, the big bang of the AIDS epidemic, and Ground Zero was Kinshasa.

So the improbable journey of the killer strain of HIV was feasible for only a few hectic decades, from the 1880s to the 1920s. Without the “Scramble for Africa,” it’s hard to see how HIV could have made it out of southeastern

Cameroon to eventually kill tens of millions of people. Even a delay might have caused the killer strain of HIV to die a lonely death deep in the forest.

Excerpts reprinted from the © Washington Post and from “Tinderbox” by © Craig Timberg and Daniel Halperin.

The Covenant House 600 Shrewsbury St. Charleston, WVThe Covenant House offers free rapid testing the first Wednesday of each month from 1 to 3:30 p.m. by appointment only. Contact Sherra Cates at (304) 344-8053 ext. 45 or scates@wvcovenanthouse.org.

The West Virginia Bureau for Public HealthChuck Anziulewicz (Chuck A.) offers free rapid testing by appointment only. He is available to meet with you the first Saturday of each month at:Asbury United Methodist Church 501 Elizabeth St., Charleston, WVHe can also work with you to schedule another convenient time and location. Contact Chuck at (304) 356-4062 or Charles.H.Anziulewicz@wv.gov.*This test requires only a mouth swab. Your results are ready in 20 minutes.

Free, Confidential HIV Rapid* Testing Locations

Pam LeRose

From sorrow comes beauty, from beauty comes reflection, and from reflection comes remembrance.

Symbolism is overpowering in the Living AIDS Memorial Garden, on the corner of Washington Street East and Sidney Avenue, one block from the State Capital Complex. If you haven’t visited the small plot of tranquility, you should stop by and rest awhile. The glorious perennial floral display is a symbol of both the seasons of life and the AIDS victims who are no longer here to enjoy them. The two one-ton granite boulders exemplify the endurance and steadfastness of those left behind.

As you walk through the small sanctuary, there are whispered words of love and mourning, and hope and memories, all around you. Words engraved in the brick pathway, on markers by the trees and flowers, and emblazoned on plaques attached to granite stones. Some are memorials to loved ones who died of AIDS, some are to family or friends, and some are donors’ words of support in the fight against the disease.

The granite rock nearest the entrance bears the founders’ mission statement: To establish and maintain a Garden in memory of those who have died of AIDS, provide a place of reflection for those who are living with AIDS, and for those who are survivors.

The nonprofit Living AIDS Memorial Garden, Inc. was organized in April 1998 by founders L. Bruce Severino, Carl B. Maxwell and the late Jeffrey Brooks. The organization’s members began working on the garden with private donations and, over time, it has grown into a cooperative effort among the organization, the State, the City of Charleston, and the East End community.

“This is not just a garden,” said Bruce Severino. “It’s an AIDS awareness project. Based on the support we have received we feel that the Garden is a worthwhile project which has broad social appeal. AIDS is not just an illness. It is a powerful force that has torn the fabric of our society--and forever changed it. There are few people who have not been affected in one way or another.”

“The wildflower garden is full of perennials that bloom in succession throughout the growing season,” Severino said. “It starts with daffodils and tulips, moves to irises, and then to day lilies and black-eyed Susans. In the fall we have mums.” The rose garden is comprised of many different varieties, including the cultivars “Peace” and “Tropicana.”

The Garden accepts donations to memorialize a loved one in a plant or brick along the garden’s path. The garden’s supporters are not limited just to those touched by AIDS. There are brick

memorials dedicated to family members and friends.

Donations range from $200 for a tree marker, $75 for a rose garden marker, or $25 for an imprinted brick in the walkway.

To learn more about making a donation, call (304) 346-0246 or visit the Living AIDS Memorial Garden website at www.livingaidsmemorialgarden.org.

Pam LeRose is the CAMC Ryan White outreach coordinator and editor of path.

The Living AIDS Memorial GardenYou might have been told that your sore mouth is minor compared to other physical problems you are dealing with, but when you can hardly eat or swallow it’s no small thing. If mouth pain or tenderness makes it difficult to chew and swallow, or if you can’t taste food as well as you used to, you might not be eating enough. And your doctor may be asking you to eat more so that your body has enough energy to deal with HIV.

Mouth problems are common in people with HIV. More than a third have oral conditions that are caused by a weakened immune system. And although new HIV drugs have helped some conditions, others are occurring more often.

One of the most common problems is dry mouth. This develops when you don’t have enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Saliva helps you chew and digest food, protects teeth from decay, and prevents mouth infections. Without enough you could develop tooth decay and other infections, or chapped lips. It may help to try the following –

1) Sip water or sugarless drinks often

2) Chew sugarless gum or suck on hard candy

3) Avoid tobacco

4) Avoid alcohol

5) Avoid salty foods

6) Use a humidifier at night

7) Ask your doctor or dentist about prescribing artificial saliva

Fortunately, most of your mouth troubles can be treated, so talk to your doctor or dentist at your next visit. Good food is one of the greatest pleasures in life, so take care of your mouth. Don’t just live long, but well!

The following is a list of other common mouth problems:

If you have: It could be: What and Where? Painful? Contagious? Treatment

Red sores

Ulcer – also known as Canker Sores OR Herpes – a viral infection

Red sores that might also have a yellow-gray film on top. They are usually on the tongue or inside of the cheeks and lips. Red sores usually on the roof of the mouth. They are sometimes on the outside of the lips, where they are called fever blisters.

Yes

Sometimes

No Yes

Mild cases – over-the-counter cream or prescription mouthwash that contains corticosteroids; more severe cases – corticosteroids in pill form. Prescription pill can reduce healing time and frequency of outbreaks.

White hair-like growth

Hairy Leukoplakia caused by the Epstein-Barr virus

White patches that do not wipe away; sometimes very thick and “hair-like.” Usually appear on the side of the tongue or sometimes inside the cheeks and lower lip.

Not usually No Mild cases – not usually required; more severe cases – a prescription pill that may reduce severity of symptoms. In some severe cases, a pain reliever might also be required.

White creamy or bumpy patches like cottage cheese

Candidiasis, a fungal (yeast) infection – also known as thrush

With yellowish or red patches. If wiped away, there will be redness or bleeding underneath. They can appear anywhere in the mouth.

Sometimes burning

No Mild cases – prescription antifungal lozenge or mouthwash; more severe cases a prescription antifungal pill.

Warts Small white, gray, or pinkish rough bumps that look like cauliflower. They can appear inside the lips and on other parts of the mouth.

Not usually Possible Inside the mouth – a doctor can remove them surgically or use “cryosurgery” – a way of freezing them off; on the lips – a prescription cream that will wear it away. Warts can return after treatment.

Mouth Problems + HIV