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LIFE/ Cjiarlotte ^02t
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Novel pre-dates Duke
You are reading the oldest newspaper
in the Carolinas...
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allows Xavier intx) her life, but
still refuses to share with him
the full details of her past.
This, of, course eventually
leads to some major drama,
and when the rapist shows
up. In an interview with the
author, she offered her take
on the Duke lacrosse team
scandal.
“When I first heard about
this, I thought this is going to
get ugly,” the South Carolina
writer said before she knew
the alleged victim was black.
Perkins isn’t surprised that
many people have mixed emo
tions toward the victim,
because many of her readers
felt the same way about
Gwen, who isn’t the most
sympathetic victim.
“I had some people say to
me, ‘it’s been 10 years, why
doesn’t she get over it? Or I
had people say that they did
n’t like Gwen,” she said.
HTV: The deadly truth
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“hidden” for years, so people
may not know they have the
virus. However, the virus can
still be transmitted to other
people during that latency
period!
HIV can multiply inside the
cells of the immime system
and destroy so many of them
that the body can no longer
fight infections. Repeated
infections, known as oppor
tunistic infections, are the
hallmark of AIDS. Many
medications are available to
prevent the progression of
HIV infection to AIDS.
How can HIV infection be
prevented?
The best way to prevent
HIV is to avoid risky behav
iors, such as using intra
venous drugs or having
unprotected sex. No matter
what your age, if you are sex
ually active (particularly with
a new partner), msde latex
condoms and female
pol3mrethane condoms offer
the best protection and
should be used for all sexual
encounters.
How do I know if I have
HIV?
Some people experience flu
like symptoms shortly after
contracting the virus, but
other people may have no
symptoms at aU. Sometimes,
the virus can live for years in
the body before producing
clinical symptoms. This is
often the time when it is
spread unknowingly from
person to person.
The only way to know for
sure whether you are infected
with HTV is to get a blood
test. Many free clinics and
health organizations across
file state provide AIDS test
ing and counseling.
Detecting the virus early
allows for the best treatment
options and for behavior
changes to prevent others
from becoming infected!
Remember, knowledge is
power, but it is what you do
with it that makes all the dif
ference!
Contribution by Natasha
Fontaine, Wake Forest University
School of Medicine, Class of
2008.
For more information about the
Maya Angelou Research Center
on Minority Health, visit our web
site at
hitp://www.wfubmc.edu/minority-
heaith. Or, for health information
call (336) 733.7578.
Northeast Corridor
Light Rail Project
Help us build Charlotte's future! Tell us what you think about the proposed
alignment options and station locations at the next round of Northeast Corridor
workshops. We want your feedback about decisions that will shape
your community. We look forward to seeing you there!
It's Your Community.
It's Your Decision.
The Competitive Edge:
Excellence in Healthcare for a Diverse Community
Wednesday, May 3
7:30 a.ni.-4:30 p.m. at The Westin Charlotte
601 South College St
This conference helps healthcare organizations expand their commitment
to diversity in the workplace. Featured speakers include Carl Hammerschlag,
MD,CPAE, a Yale-trained psychiatrist, speaker, internationally recognized
author and healer; Therman Evans, MD, PhD, the founder and CEO of Whole
Life Association, Inc.; and Wayne Sotiie, PhD, who is recognized as a pioneer
in the field of health psychology and work/family balance for busy medical
professionals.
For more information or to register for the conference,
call 704-512-6597
or visit www.carolinashealthcare.org/upcomingevents
Carolinas Healthcare System
www.carolinashealthcare.org
In coiiaboration with The Diversity Advisory Committee, Carolinas Healthcare System
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