WORLD AIDS DAY
For millions of people around the world the 1st December marks the start of the festive season, and for many, the first of the month also signifies World AIDS Day.
For millions of people around the world the 1st December marks the start of the festive season, and for many, the first of the month also signifies World AIDS Day.
World AIDS Day is about raising awareness to tackle prejudice and help stop the spread of HIV. Events have been taking place all year round to disseminate vital information about HIV and AIDS. It is hoped that these events, such as concerts, charity balls, art exhibitions and flashmobs will provide the general public with a better understanding of HIV and encourage people to protect themselves.
Unfortunately there is still a great deal of stigma about HIV, often as a result of ignorance regarding how HIV is transmitted, judgements made about people living with the virus, a lack of understanding of what exactly HIV and AIDS are, or an unfounded fear of becoming infected.
A few facts on HIV and AIDS:
1. HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system - the body's defence against diseases.
2. HIV and AIDS are not the same thing. When someone is described as living with HIV, they have the HIV virus in their body, a person is considered to have developed AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) when the immune system is so weak it can no longer fight off a range of diseases which it would normally cope with.
3. There is no cure for HIV but treatment can keep the virus under control and the immune system healthy. HIV is now considered to be a manageable condition, and people with HIV can live a healthy, active life with normal life expectancy when diagnosed early and when treatment is commenced as soon as possible.
4. Various treatments are available for HIV, one of which requires only one pill to be taken once a day.
5. With the right medical help, the vast majority of HIV positive women can give birth to healthy uninfected babies.
6. HIV is not spread through day-to-day contact, touching, kissing or sharing utensils.
Chris Ring, Nurse Manager, from the Genito-urinary Medicine (GUM) Clinic in Harlow commented: “Many people do not realise that HIV is now classed as a Chronic long-term disease in the same way as Diabetes, although people infected with HIV will (usually) need to take medication lifelong, they can and do continue to lead healthy lives, as with other treatable long term diseases. It can be terribly difficult for a person to deal with being diagnosed as HIV Positive and even harder if they have no one to talk to or confide in for fear of being judged. World AIDS Day is a great way of raising awareness and it is awareness and knowledge that will help to eradicate the stigma of HIV”.
If you would like advice or further information on HIV or AIDS or world events taking place, please log onto: www.worldaidsday.org.
