December 1st - WORLD AIDS DAY
by Bonnie Arthur de Souza
Freddie Mercury - legendary lead singer of glam rock (and one of the best bands in the world) outfit, Queen Earvin "Magic" Johnson - 12 time NBA All Star, 3 time MVP, 5 time NBA Champion, Olympic gold medalist and basketball hall of famer Arthur Ashe - remains the only African American tennis player ever to win the men's singles at Wimbledon, the US Open or the Australian Open.
These are just the few but many people who are living with *Human Immunodeficiency Virus* (HIV) or have died of *Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome* (AIDS) complications.
Tommorow, *December 1st is* *World AIDS Day, *a day dedicated to raising the awareness of the global AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection. To date, around 40 million people are living with the HIV virus throughout the world, increasing by the thousands every day in every region, and AIDS has killed more than 25 million people, making it one of the most
destructive epidemics in recorded history. Somebody is infected with the deadly HIV virus every 8 seconds, equivalent to 11,000 infections worldwide every day, while another 8,000 infected people die.
Yet with this staggering facts, ignorance and prejudice are fueling the spread of this preventable disease. 2006 alone recorded the highest number of HIV infected people.
Lets take this opportunity, through World AIDS Day and join millions worldwide to unite and fight against HIV and AIDS. Its up to you, me and us to stop the spread of HIV and end the prejudice. This years theme (which will be the same till 2010) for World AIDS Day is *"Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise".
Here is how you can start...
*Wear a Red Ribbon*
It is the international symbol of HIV. Wearing one is the easiest way to make a difference on December 1st. Not by wearing one yourself, but encouraging others, colleagues, friends and family to wear one as well.
*Talk to People*
Talking openly about HIV/AIDS to your friends, colleagues or family is one of the most powerful ways of ending prejudice and preventing the spread of HIV.
Here are some basic facts of the disease, know them...share them!
What is HIV?
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV attacks the body's immune system - the body's defence against diseases. HIV, if detected early, can be treated very successfully. With treatment, people living with HIV will probably have a normal lifespan, although serious health problems may still occur.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A person is considered to have AIDS when the immune system has become so weak that it can no longer fight off a whole range of diseases with which it would normally cope. If HIV is diagnosed late, treatment may be less effective in preventing AIDS.
How is HIV passed on?
HIV is not transmitted via casual contact or kissing. It can only be passed on through exposure to HIV-infected blood, sexual or rectal fluids, or breast milk.
*The most common ways are via:*
- Sexual intercourse with an infected partner where blood or sexual fluids like semen and vaginal or rectal secretions enter the body through the penis, vagina or anus.
- Sharing infected needles or syringes when injecting drugs.
- From an HIV positive mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. However, there are proven steps mothers can take to reduce the possibility of their unborn child contracting HIV.
*Less common ways are via:*
- Oral sex - although the risks are much lower than with sexual intercourse, blood or sexual fluids may occasionally enter the body via the mouth, particularly if the uninfected partner has gum problems or mouth ulcers.
- Unscreened and untreated transfusions of blood or blood products. However, in the UK all blood products are screened for HIV and other blood-borne diseases.
- An accident in a medical setting, where a healthcare worker is exposed to the blood of an infected person, usually during surgery or via a needlestick injury.
You cannot get HIV from day-to-day contact such as:
Kissing
Touching
Holding hands
Sharing eating utensils
Toilet seats
Swimming pools
You, me and us...together we CAN stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice.
How many of you wore a red ribbon on Dec 1? Drop us a shoutout if you did!
Freddie Mercury - legendary lead singer of glam rock (and one of the best bands in the world) outfit, Queen Earvin "Magic" Johnson - 12 time NBA All Star, 3 time MVP, 5 time NBA Champion, Olympic gold medalist and basketball hall of famer Arthur Ashe - remains the only African American tennis player ever to win the men's singles at Wimbledon, the US Open or the Australian Open.These are just the few but many people who are living with *Human Immunodeficiency Virus* (HIV) or have died of *Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome* (AIDS) complications.
Tommorow, *December 1st is* *World AIDS Day, *a day dedicated to raising the awareness of the global AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection. To date, around 40 million people are living with the HIV virus throughout the world, increasing by the thousands every day in every region, and AIDS has killed more than 25 million people, making it one of the most
destructive epidemics in recorded history. Somebody is infected with the deadly HIV virus every 8 seconds, equivalent to 11,000 infections worldwide every day, while another 8,000 infected people die.
Yet with this staggering facts, ignorance and prejudice are fueling the spread of this preventable disease. 2006 alone recorded the highest number of HIV infected people.
Lets take this opportunity, through World AIDS Day and join millions worldwide to unite and fight against HIV and AIDS. Its up to you, me and us to stop the spread of HIV and end the prejudice. This years theme (which will be the same till 2010) for World AIDS Day is *"Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise".
Here is how you can start...
*Wear a Red Ribbon*
It is the international symbol of HIV. Wearing one is the easiest way to make a difference on December 1st. Not by wearing one yourself, but encouraging others, colleagues, friends and family to wear one as well.
*Talk to People*
Talking openly about HIV/AIDS to your friends, colleagues or family is one of the most powerful ways of ending prejudice and preventing the spread of HIV.
Here are some basic facts of the disease, know them...share them!
What is HIV?
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV attacks the body's immune system - the body's defence against diseases. HIV, if detected early, can be treated very successfully. With treatment, people living with HIV will probably have a normal lifespan, although serious health problems may still occur.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A person is considered to have AIDS when the immune system has become so weak that it can no longer fight off a whole range of diseases with which it would normally cope. If HIV is diagnosed late, treatment may be less effective in preventing AIDS.
How is HIV passed on?
HIV is not transmitted via casual contact or kissing. It can only be passed on through exposure to HIV-infected blood, sexual or rectal fluids, or breast milk.
*The most common ways are via:*
- Sexual intercourse with an infected partner where blood or sexual fluids like semen and vaginal or rectal secretions enter the body through the penis, vagina or anus.
- Sharing infected needles or syringes when injecting drugs.
- From an HIV positive mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. However, there are proven steps mothers can take to reduce the possibility of their unborn child contracting HIV.
*Less common ways are via:*
- Oral sex - although the risks are much lower than with sexual intercourse, blood or sexual fluids may occasionally enter the body via the mouth, particularly if the uninfected partner has gum problems or mouth ulcers.
- Unscreened and untreated transfusions of blood or blood products. However, in the UK all blood products are screened for HIV and other blood-borne diseases.
- An accident in a medical setting, where a healthcare worker is exposed to the blood of an infected person, usually during surgery or via a needlestick injury.
You cannot get HIV from day-to-day contact such as:
Kissing
Touching
Holding hands
Sharing eating utensils
Toilet seats
Swimming pools
You, me and us...together we CAN stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice.
posted by d.psyneer at 12/10/2006 12:36:00 AM
1 Comments:
I DID! :)
Post a Comment
<< Home