The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 19 COVID patients today, down from 17 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 10 with the active virus today, 6 yesterday
- 2 in ICU, 1 yesterday
- 0 on ventilator, same as yesterday
- 19 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 17 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Nathan Bahr, infectious diseases, The University of Kansas Health System
- COVID has had an impact on AIDS cases, as many missed treatments or were hesitant to seek screening
- If you’ve ever had sex without protection you should get screened
- There are excellent treatments now that were not available when HIV was discovered 40 years ago
- Patients can live very normal lives with proper medication
Dr. Wissam El Atrouni, infectious diseases, The University of Kansas Health System
- There are home tests for HIV, similar to home COVID tests. A positive result needs to be confirmed with a doctor
- About 3,000 people are infected each year in the U.S., mostly in the 24-34 age group, but it affects all age groups
- Women going through pre-pregnancy evaluation or pregnancy treatment should be tested
- There is still no cure or vaccine for HIV, only treatments
Kimberly Carson, Vice President for Education and Outreach at AIDS Services Foundation of Kansas City
- Everybody should be tested for HIV once in their lifetime, even if they’re at low risk
- Her group focuses on address the stigma of HIV
- Annual AIDS Walk is tomorrow at 10 starting at Theis Park near the Plaza.
- Money raised helps support AIDS services in the community
Bridgit Patterson, Program Director, Epilepsy Foundation, Kansas City
- Epilepsy is a neurological condition that is characterized by two or more unprovoked seizures.
- It can come at any point in a person’s lifetime
- Her son was diagnosed with epilepsy 17 years ago
- Epilepsy Gala tomorrow night raises awareness and money to serve communities throughout Missouri and Kansas. Tickets still available.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Of current COVID patients in the hospital, half are here just for COVID, the others were here for something else and diagnosed with the virus
- Childhood vaccinations have declined during the pandemic, which could be leading to new cases of the measles
Monday, May 2 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. We track the looming BA.2 surge here in the metro, plus, the new variants showing up overseas sparking concern.
ATTENTION: media procedure for joining:
Zoom link: https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone Zoom link: 1-312-626-6799, meeting ID: 782 897 8628
TVU Grid link: UoK_Health_SDI
Restream links: Facebook.com/kuhospital
YouTube.com/kuhospital
Send advance questions to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.
