HIV/AIDS

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Carrie. I am a sibling to a brother who was diagnosed with clinical AIDS in 2004. As a result of this ever changing event in our family, I pursued a career in Infectious Diseases, specifically HIV, research. I graduated with a BS from University of Delaware in Biochemistry and moved on to pursue a Master degree in Biotechnology and participate in research at Johns Hopkins University.

I began as a researcher in a pediatric HIV lab at Johns Hopkins in 2004. I then proceeded to act as a trained STD/HIV counselor and phlebotomist (vampie of blood, hehe) at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore (GLCCB). With this position, I was providing pre- and post-test counseling to those testing negative and positive for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphillis and HIV. I didn't feel I was equipped with enough resources and referrals for those testing HIV positive. So, I started networking with collegues at Johns Hopkins to find a good resource to get these newly POZ individuals to a good HIV doctor, clinic, therapist, health insurance, drug rehabilitation, homeless shelter, etc etc. In this search, I found Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Program Director, Linda Apuzzo. She is the director the Acute/Early Seroconverter Study that I am involved with now. I will describe the study further along in my introduction. She was a great person to direct my newly HIV+ clients to. She had answers to all of their questions and helped get them in the positive direction in living with the HIV infection. Consequently, with my qualifications and determination to contribute to the health of our HIV community, she hired me to be a part of their research team. I gladly accepted. It was like we both had found in eachother exactly what we were looking for! I currently see patients for clinical study visits as well as lead the community outreach and recruiting section of our study.

Ok... to touch upon the clinical study that we are currently recruiting for. The study is recruiting adults(greater than or equal to 18 years of age) who have been recently infected by HIV. This is determined a number of ways: a negative HIV test within a year of the HIV positive test and/or a specialized HIV ELISA test (detuned ELISA) if infection timing in uncertain. The individuals who have been infected with HIV in the past year are referred to "Acute/Early Seroconverters". Our study aim is to analyze if there is a benefit, immunologically or virologically, to giving only a short, 12 month course of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to individuals in the beginning of HIV infection. There has been data published to suggest that a short course of HAART may slow the progression of the disease in adults recently infected with HIV. There is an initial screening visit to determine eligibilty, collect blood for labs, and record general medical history. We also provide post-test counseling for those who have questions, concerns, worries and the need for information whether or not they are eligible for the study. If enrolled into the study, the participant will be randomized to be on the observation arm (no treatment) or 12 months of HAART. There will be a number of study visits: enrollment (Day 0), week 1 and 2, monthly visit for 12 months, and visits every 3 months until 36 months is completed (study endpoint).

I am recruiting participants for our study but my main goal, as well as the main goal of my research team, is to contribute to the HIV community by answering questions, giving scientific advice and facts and being a part of improving the quality of life of those affected by HIV.

I hope I have effectively described who I am and what I and our study is about. I look forward to chatting with all of you. Any advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!

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100 Questions and Answers About HIV and AIDS by Joel Gallant, The Guide to Living with HIV Infection: Developed at the Johns Hopkins AIDS Clinic by John G. Bartlett, A Woman's Guide to Living with HIV Infection by Rebecca A. Clark, HIV and the Pathogenesis of AID by Jay A. Levy, Level 4: Virus Hunters of the CDC by Joseph B. McCormick and Susan Fisher-Hoch

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Outreach for those in the community affected by infectious diseases including STDs/HIV. When I'm not working, I enjoy running in the park, playing kickball, snowboarding, amusement parks, Hip Hop concerts, movies

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