World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year. It is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
More than 90,000 people are currently living with HIV in the UK and globally an estimated 33.3 million people have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus.
This year’s theme is Act Aware. But before people can act aware they need to be aware of the facts. There are two really excellent websites that give you a lot of facts, information on how to stay safe and ways in which you can help raise awareness and funds. They are:
HIV Facts:
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus which attacks the body's immune system — the body's defence 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
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus which attacks the body's immune system — the body's defence 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
There are many myths about HIV too just because people aren’t properly educated. HIV isn’t a disease that only gay men have, it is true that they are particularly affected by it BUT it is found in heterosexual men and women too. In 2010 the majority of new cases of HIV were acquired heterosexually. Once you find out the facts it will enable you to act aware.
So this year why not Act Aware? It is about taking action and making commitments to help improve understanding about HIV in the UK, prevent HIV transmission and stop prejudice. You can do this by:
·Find out the facts about HIV and bust the myths
·Find out the facts about HIV and bust the myths
Take the quiz on http://www.hivaware.org.uk/act-aware/how-act-aware.php
to find out if you've put yourself at risk of HIV and have an HIV test if recommended
to find out if you've put yourself at risk of HIV and have an HIV test if recommended
·Talk to your partner, friends or children about HIV and point them in the direction of this website: http://www.hivaware.org.uk/act-aware/how-act-aware.php so they can learn the facts
Find out if your local school has a comprehensive sex and relationships education (SRE) programme, and teaches young people about HIV and explain why it’s important.
Check whether your employer has robust policies to ensure people living with HIV are treated fairly at work
Always use a condom when having sex with a new partner
Challenge people who hold misconceptions about HIV by telling them the facts and encouraging respect and understanding
Organise a fundraising event to raise awareness of HIV in the UK
By finding out the facts and acting aware we can reduce the number of new cases of HIV and improve the lives of people already living with it. There is a current campaign to ensure that future generations do not grow up ignorant of the facts of HIV and how to prevent its transmission. This is so important as New HIV diagnoses among young people are on the increase. Since 2000, they have risen by nearly 70% among the 15-24 year olds and among young gay men they have more than doubled. Reliable HIV information for young people has never been more important. Education in schools has a crucial role to play in this but the current standard of HIV education is simply not up to scratch. To support this campaign to get this issue brought into the classroom please go to: http://www.hivaware.org.uk/act-aware/support-campaign.php and follow their instructions!
This World AIDS Day do something that will make a difference!
No comments:
Post a Comment