What is World AIDS Day?
World AIDS Day is on the December 1st 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. The theme for this year is “The time to act is now”. In the US, a 28-foot AIDS ribbon is hung across the white house’s north portico.
Why is World AIDS Day Important?
Globally there are an estimated 34 million people who have HIV. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV, and we understand so much more about the condition. Despite all of this, each year there are thousands of people worldwide are diagnosed with HIV and the AIDS epidemic claims an estimated 2 million lives annually. Many people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others. Many people living with the disease still face the reality of discrimination.
World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the people that HIV has not gone away and that there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV so once you have HIV, you have it for life. Today, there is no safe and effective cure for HIV, but scientists are working to find one, and remain hopeful.
HIV affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, if left untreated, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can no longer fight off infections or other diseases. However, with antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV can be controlled. Someone with a less-advance stage of HIV who gets and stays on ART can live a nearly normal life span.
The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. Testing is relatively simple. You can ask your health care provider for an HIV test. Many medical clinics, substance abuse programs, community health centers, and hospitals offer them, too. You can also get an FDA-approved home HIV testing kit (the Home Access HIV-1 Test System or the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test) from a drugstore.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_AIDS_Day
https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/11/05/world-aids-day-2015-time-act-now
https://www.aids.gov/
https://www.worldaidsday.org/
By: Melissa Veach, BS, NCBTMB-CMT, NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer; Massage Therapist at Valley Health Wellness & Fitness Center
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