Today, December 1st is World Aids Day which is “an oppurtunity for people to unite worldwide in the fight against HIV.” (worldaidsday.org). You can wear a red ribbon in acknowledgement of the day and of the millions of people on our planted who are effected.
Aids is the most advanced form of HIV and can only be passed through bodily fluids such as blood, semen and breast milk. Touching, talking or even sharing a bathroom with someone that has HIV will not give you the disease. People with HIV/AIDS are normal, everyday people just like you and I. There is a weird stigma around the disease when in reality being effected is just like having cancer, heart disease or any other illness.
Below is an infograph from Amplify Your Voice and some facts on HIV from worldaidsday.org.
Have a wonderful Saturday!
HIV Facts:
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus which attacks the body’s immune system — the body’s defense against diseases.
HIV can be passed on through infected bodily fluids, most commonly via sex without a condom or by sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment.
There are now more people than ever living with HIV in the UK — more than 90,000 — with around a quarter of those unaware they have the virus.
Here are a few more facts about HIV in the UK:
- Over 90% of people with HIV were infected through sexual contact
- You can now get tested for HIV using a saliva sample
- HIV is not passed on through spitting, biting or sharing utensils
- Only 1% of babies born to HIV positive mothers have HIV
- You can get the results of an HIV test in just 15-20 minutes
- There is no vaccine and no cure for HIV
Sources:
http://www.worldaidsday.org/about-hiv.php
http://amplifyyourvoice.org/category/world-aids-day
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