Discussion Response

This is due at 8 PM Central Standard Time TONIGHT.

This is simply a discussion response. I will post what needs to be responded to. It should be directed directly towards the person who you are responding to. For example, "Hi Jill! Great post.......etc, etc"

The response must be supported with references.

Respond with a comment that asks for clarification, provides support for, or contributes additional information to two or more of your colleagues’ postings.

Here is what you will be responding to........

The opioid epidemic is spreading progressively across our country effecting our communities in every state. This crisis contributes to the increase in identified HIV cases that our communities are currently experiencing. HIV is identified as a retrovirus that uses a unique enzyme called reverse transcriptase to copy RNA into DNA. The DNA then invades the cell and replicates itself causing a disruption in normal cell function ( Gonsalves & Staley, 2014 ). HIV is a re-emerging infectious disease that is transmitted via direct contact from another infected individual. Transmission may be from sexual contact, or sharing needles for illegal drug use with an individual who also has HIV.

I currently work in an acute inpatient psychiatric facility just outside of Philadelphia. I have noticed a trend in younger patients presenting with fairly new diagnosis of HIV more recently. This is primarily due to sharing needles with others for illegal drug use. An article published by the Philadelphia Inquirer described HIV to be significantly increasing since 2016, when the numbers were previously showing a downward trend. HIV cases were declining in the early 2000’s, however they nearly doubled from 2016-2018. Currently nearly 20,000 people residing in Philly have been diagnosed with HIV, with most people being from these community “hot spots” for IV drug use ( The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2020 ). Local experts say there is a direct correlation to the city’s rise in confirmed HIV cases with our country’s current opioid crisis.

The nurse plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of this re-emerging disease. Primary interventions by means of education are of the utmost importance. Targeting communities with more prevalent IV drug use and providing education on HIV, safe sex, and importance of not sharing needles could change the trajectory of these high-risk individual’s lives. Additionally, the nurse can provide them with resources available within their community including free or low-cost testing sites, counseling services, and areas providing free and clean needles. Assessing the individual’s readiness for rehab/detox and ways to seek help should also be included during this time.

My current position in nursing allows me to provide education on HIV to high risk individuals, as well as caring for self while after having the diagnosis. It is important for all nurses to use standard precautions with every patient we come into contact with to ensure our safety, as well as our patients ( Laucreate, 2009 ).

Gonsalves, G., Staley, P. (2014). Panic, paranoia, and public health-The AIDS epidemic’s lessons for

              Ebola. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(25), 2348-2349.

Laucreate Education. (producer). (2009c). Topics in clinical nursing: Emerging and re-emerging infections

              Across the lifespan [video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

The Philadelphia Inquirer. (2020). Philly sees concerning increase in new HIV cases driven by new opioid

              Epidemic. https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioids-hiv-aids-increase-philadelphia-iv-drug-    users-prep-20190404.html?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar