World AIDS Days

Kissing and hugging don’t spread HIV – IGNORANCE does !

             What is HIV and where did it come from?

The human immunodeficiency syndrome is a virus that gradually attacks the human immune system which leads to the inability of the body to naturally defend itself from illness and infections. It is believed that the HIV virus is a mutation from SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus) originating from chimpanzees.

What is AIDS?

AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is the last stage of the HIV virus where the human immune system is too weak to fight off any infection.

What is World AIDS Day?

World AIDS Day is held on the 1^st December each year and 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. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.

How can HIV be spread?

                There are only three ways to spread HIV:

1. Through unprotected sex.
2. Sharing needles.
3. Mother to child transmission.

Fast facts about the HIV Virus:

• Kissing and hugging don’t spread HIV
• 9 million people are living with HIV worldwide
• There is a combination of antiretroviral therapy that slows down the progression of the disease
• People with HIV who are taking medication have almost the same life expectancy as those who are not infected
• The fastest growing group of people living with HIV in 2012 was the people in their 50s
• If you have HIV, you would need to take just 1-2 pills a day
• 5% of children born from mothers who have HIV, do not have the virus themselves

What should we be doing on World AIDS Day?

                World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show support to and solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV. Wearing a red ribbon is one simple way to do this. Another very important way is to seek a charity or organization that helps in the research for HIV/AIDS therapy and make a donation.