Today is World AIDS Day. Spread Awareness, not AIDS. Get Tested!
Fact #1- 33.4 million people world-wide were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2008. (GlobalHealthReporting.org)
It is incredible and alarming how many people do not understand the seriousness of AIDS. The number of people living with HIV/AIDS increases every year. Please do not be one of those people that suffer from the mentality that it can’t happen to you. HIV doesn’t stay away from you just because you are pretty, athletic, popular, and successful. Everyone is susceptible. That is why you must protect and educate yourself, educate others, and get tested. The only way to end this epidemic is prevention and education. You may feel embarrassed going to get tested or calling to make the appointment, but that is nothing compared to the embarrassment of having to tell family and friends that you have AIDS. We have one life to live. Don’t suffer or die early because of AIDS. Let’s work together to spread the word and keep ourselves and others healthy.
Fact #2 – If more is not done to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic, it is on course to be one of the worst in history, with millions more people estimated to become infected by the end of this decade. (GlobalHealthReporting.org)
YOU have the power to help. Get tested. There are many places to get tested: your physician, local organizations, etc. Many universities also do private and confidential testing for free if you are a student. It is important to your health and life to get tested, but it is also important to your current and future partners. Do not be reckless with unprotected sex. Check in with your sexual partners about their sexual health. Talk with your friends and encourage them to be safe with sex and to get tested. World Aids Day is not the only day of the year we should have AIDS on our radar. It needs to be everyday.
Many people are uneducated about AIDS/HIV. Get educated and educate others. Fact #3 – “HIV transmission can occur when blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal fluid or breastmilk from an HIV-positive person enters the body of an HIV-negative person. HIV can enter the body through a vein, the lining of the anus or rectum, the lining of the vagina and/or cervix, the opening to the penis, the mouth, other mucous membranes — such as the eyes or inside of the nose — or cuts and sores. Worldwide, the most common way that HIV is transmitted is through sexual transmission, including anal, vaginal or oral sex with an HIV-positive person. HIV also can be transmitted by sharing needles or injection equipment.” (Kaiser Family Foundation – kff.org)
There are many ways to educate yourself further. Do an internet search for AIDS, read a book about it, etc. All of our lives depend on it! GET TESTED. GET EDUCATED. SPREAD THE WORD.
~sarah be.