(NAPSA)—As America enters its third decade of the AIDS epidemic, the estimated 325,000 African Americansliving with HIV may be overlooking HIV-related anemia—an important condition that affects up to 95 percent of them at some point in their disease. According to a recent survey of nearly 700 HIV-positive Americans, including more than 100 African Americans, awareness of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of HIV-related anemia The Effects of HIV-Related Anemia on the African American community As America enters its third decade of the AIDS epidemic, African Americans living with HIV may be overlooking HIV-related anemia, an important condition that affects up to 95% of HIV patients at some point in their disease. 97% of African American patients say their doctors oT communicate their T-cell count and viral load, however, only 42% say their doctors communicate their red blood remains alarmingly low. “The good newsis that physicians are asking their patients about tiredness and weakness, which can be symptoms of anemia,” said Margaret Davis, past president of the Chicago Chapter of the National Black Nurses cell count, which is used to diagnose anemia. We 69 ee ———| g o]o Learn to recognize the signs and symptomsof HIV-related anemia. If patients experience short- ness of breath, rapid heartbeat, Nearly three in five (59%) African Americans have not discussed anemia with the doctors. Seven in ten (71%) African American HIV patients Association (NBNA). “However, as health care professionals, weall must take the discussion to the next level by helping patients connect these symptoms with HIVrelated anemia and drive home the importance of tracking red blood cell count to determine if they are truly anemic.” Anemia results from a below normallevel of red blood cells and is a common complication of HIV/AIDS and its treatments. It can be caused bythevirusitself or by certain HIV/AIDS treatments, particularly AZT (zidovudine), that suppresses the bone marrow production of red blood cells, amongother factors. It is important that people living with HIV: 84% of African American patients do not know at what level their red blood cell count would indicate that their health is at risk. APTe ———\\ agree that they need their doctor to better inform them about their blood test results. Since starting HIV treatment, African Americans say that carrying out household chores (81%) and working (76%) are activities that are most impacted by feeling tired and/or weak. Source: Yankelovich Partners, Inc./Harris Interactive on behalf of Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. dizziness, muscle weakness, impaired concentration, lightheadedness, and headaches, they should talk to their doctor. Keep a diary of their signs and symptoms. Ask their doctor about being tested. Anemiais determined by a simple bloodtest. Ask about prescription medications to treat anemia. To increase awareness of anemia and red blood cell count, sev- eral associations are joining forces with Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. @ to kick off a national Know Your Red Blood Cell Count! campaign. Partners for the program include the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC), the Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons (ICPS), and the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA). The program includes free red blood cell count screenings and anemia education. For more information about anemia, please call 1-888-PROCRIT (776-2748) or visit www.PROCRIT.com.
