Services
HIV Care
- A Little History
Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS) was a rare form of a relatively benign cancer that tended to occur in older people. But by March of 1981, a more aggressive form of KS had occurred in at least eight terrified young gay men in New York City. The historical significance of these cases was not yet understood until a sharp increase in the number of cases of a rare lung infection, Pneumocystic carinii pneumonia (PCP), had occurred in New York and California. The Centers for Disease Control took note of this increase and, in June of 1981, published a report about the occurrence, without identifiable cause, of PCP in five men in Los Angeles. This report is sometimes referred to as the “beginning” of AIDS in the US, but it might be more accurate to describe it as the beginning of the general awareness of AIDS in the US.
Though these opportunistic infections and cancers occurred initially in gay men, by July of 1982, injection drug users, hemophiliacs, and heterosexuals had all reported similar cases. Many theories emerged about the cause of the growing epidemic until eventually, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was identified as the cause of AIDS in 1983.
Presently, the Centers for Disease Control estimates there are over 1 million people affected with HIV in the United States. In the world, the number is greater than 33 million. Despite aggressive HIV prevention efforts, new infections continue at a level far too high, with an estimated 56,300 Americans becoming infected with HIV each year. Men who have sex with men account for more than half (53%) of all new infections in the US each year, while heterosexual contact accounts for 31% and injection drug users represent 12% of annual new HIV infections.
There have been great strides in the treatment of HIV since AIDS was first recognized in 1981. HIV infection has been transformed from a progressive, almost universally fatal illness to the chronic, manageable condition that it is today. The speed at which this transformation took place is unprecedented in medical history, however, HIV infection is still a serious, life-altering, and sometimes life-threatening condition.
“The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.”
~Caroline Myss
- Medical Care
HIV infection is unique among medical conditions. It’s sexually transmitted, has caused the world’s largest global epidemic, appeared only in the late 20th century, primarily affects people who are marginalized or discriminated against, carries enormous social stigma, and has completely transformed the world we live in. That being said, it’s impossible to talk about the medical care given to HIV+ patients without also talking about relationships, sex and sexuality, mental health, substance abuse, politics, and even about our place in the world and our responsibility to our fellow human beings.
Rossi Wellness Center is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive HIV care that is affordable as well as accessible. Our care is given in a place of comfort and compassion, not judgement. We encourage openness and promote patient empowerment. Backed by a breadth of knowledge and experience, our infectious disease specialists and other medical care providers are here to help you along your path of optimal health and well-being. Our staff is trained to provide the highest quality of care and we focus on continuous improvement.
Our medical care services include routine physicals, antiretroviral and other medication management, prophylactic treatments, emotional counseling, and nutrition and exercise guidance specific to people who are HIV positive.
- Sculptra/Radiesse
The development of medications used to treat HIV, or antiretrovirals, is one of the most important and effective medical achievements of the twentieth century, and treatment keeps getting better in the twenty-first. In most cases, they are making it possible for people with HIV to live to old age. However, for some, they have come with a cost.
Lipoatrophy is a condition where fat just beneath the skin is lost overtime, a common side effect caused by potentially all antiretroviral drugs, but to the best of our present knowledge, the result of several specific antiretroviral drugs. Common areas of fat loss are the arms and legs, and the face. Lipoatrophy is an extremely stigmatizing condition for most patients, leading to social isolation and depression. Patients can wear clothing to cover their arms and legs should they choose, but they feel helpless when it comes to their face. Patients have expressed that, in essence, facial lipoatrophy has robbed them of their confidentiality. Worsening the issue, much too often patients report that family members and friends will occasionally ask them “are you sick?”, or “you’ve lost weight…are you O.K.?”
For those suffering from facial lipoatrophy, there is hope! Sculptra and Radiesse are facial volume enhancers offered by Rossi Wellness Center that work by stimulating your body to increase skin thickness. Patients receiving either of these two fillers can expect to see significant improvement in their facial volume and can look forward to going out in public without being stared at, pointed to, or talked about because they “look sick”.
Medicare has approved Sculptra and Radiesse for the treatment of facial lipoatrophy. As well, some private insurances have followed in their footsteps by also approving these products for treatment. During your consultation with our expert Sculptra and Radiesse injector, John Del Rossi, you will be advised as to what to expect from your treatments as well as whether your health insurance covers these procedures and, if not, whether other patient assistance programs are available to you.
- Positively Pumped
HIV+ people can experience physiological and psychological changes over time, such as loss of lean body mass, poor appetite, and depression. Exercise can help increase muscle mass, improve appetite, and increase the number of “feel-good” neurotransmitters in the brain. Additionally, exercise can combat fatigue by increasing energy and can improve immune function.
There are a number of precautions that need to be observed when an HIV+ person is exercising. Joint problems and bone-related issues are more common for individuals on HIV meds and fatigue is typically more common with HIV, thus hydration must be emphasized as well as being acutely aware of signs of exhaustion and overtraining.
Most importantly, a person’s body fat percentage and weight must be monitored carefully as wasting is a common concern with HIV and must be guarded against. As well, monitoring weight is also important as sudden weight loss is not advocated.
Positively Pumped is an exercise program created by Rossi Wellness Center and offered only here in the city of Philadelphia. The program is designed to meet the specific needs of HIV+ clients looking to make positive behavioral choices in their pursuit of physical and mental well-being.
A group of four participants meet weekly and are educated on the physical and psychological benefits of exercise as well as specific exercises customized to meet their individual goals. A collaboration of opinions and fitness issues is discussed. Positively Pumped is more than “just a workout.”
Contact Rossi Wellness Center to find out how you can become a Positively Pumped participant.