Tomorrow, December 1st, is World AIDS Day. With the many predicaments—the world economy, wars, terrorism, unemployment—facing us today, it may easy to put AIDS in the backgro
und. After all, we don’t hear as much about AIDS today as we did ten or twenty years ago. But AIDS is still with us, taking and destroying lives.
Leadership has been chosen by the World AIDS Campaign as the theme for World AIDS Day 2007 and 2008. This theme will continue to be promoted with the slogan Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.—the World AIDS Campaign (WAC) emphasis from 2005-2010. So, won’t you…
World AIDS Day 2008: When I Was a Young Man
World AIDS Day 2008: Shed Some Light
FAQ about AIDS (source AIDS.gov)
Am I at risk for HIV?
HIV can only be transmitted through certain body fluids. Specific behaviors may place you at higher risk for coming in contact with HIV. You may be at increased risk for HIV infection if you have:
- Injected drugs or steroids, during which needles or equipment were shared with others
- Had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with men who have sex with men, multiple partners, or anonymous partners
- Exchanges sex for drugs or money
- Been given a diagnosis or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
- Received a blood transfusion during 1978-1985
- Had unprotected sex with anyone who has any of the risk factors listed above
For more information visit HIV and AIDS: Are You at Risk? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
The most common ways that HIV is transmitted from one person to another are:
- By having sex with an HIV-infected person
- By sharing needles or injection equipment with a person who is infected with HIV
- From HIV-infected women to their babies before or during birth, or through breast feeding
For more information visit How is HIV passed from one person to another? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Which body fluids transmit HIV?
The following body fluids have been shown to contain high concentrations of HIV:
- Blood
- Semen
- Vaginal fluid
- Breast milk
- Other body fluids containing blood
Other body fluids may contain small amounts of HIV, but small amounts of HIV does not necessarily mean that HIV can be transmitted by that body fluid.
For more information visit Which body fluids transmit HIV? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
How can I protect myself from HIV transmission?
The most effective to protect yourself from HIV transmission are to remember the ABCs:
- Abstain from sex
- Be faithful to you partner if you are having sex
- Condoms – use condoms if you are having sex
Other ways to protect yourself is to:
- Know the HIV-status of your partner
- Do not inject illicit drugs
- If you do inject drugs, never share needles or other equipment and use only clean needles and equipment
- Make getting an HIV test part of your regular medical checkup
For more information visit HIV and AIDS: Are You at Risk? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Other frequent questions and answers are available at:
- Prevention – Questions and Answers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Transmission – Questions and Answers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Saintly Nick, you have created the most powerful AIDS day post I have ever seen. I was moved through out it. When I came to Elton John’s The Last Song, I could no longer withhold my tears. Thank you. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteDear Reverend,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beautiful post,
For sharing the light of awareness with others.
Blessings of peace and love to you,
Maithri
Thank you for the timely post.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people look at Magic Johnson and think that AIDS is no big deal anymore, that it's something you just take a pill for. They don't realize that treatment is prohibitively expensive for most people, and that even with treatment AIDS is still a brutal, fatal disease.
Prevention still needs to be a priority.
Nicely done Mr. Nick. Just another example as to why I feel compelled to give a virtual Christmas present on Monday. Cheers Nick!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the very good post.
ReplyDeleteHi Nick ~~ Great post about Aids and
ReplyDeletesomeone sharing with us the stresses
that are attached with this disease,
Thank you for your comments. I am
glad you liked my garden furniture.
It is nice and comfortable. I hope you are keeping well. Take great care, Regards, Merle.
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very moving AIDS Day post, NIck, especially The Last SOng Video.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! In America, a lot of people mistakenly think AIDS has been "cured" because of these drug cocktails and improved care. But if you are poor and get AIDS, you die. We need to give money for organizations that get these drugs at cost or for free, so that those without insurance or disability can get the same medication. Thank you, Nick.
ReplyDeleteVery informative post. You did good. Of course you know that without being told so.
ReplyDeleteHope your Sunday treats you well. Thanks for stopping by today. I appreciate your visits and your comment input.
You are right, we don't hear about AIDS much these days. Twenty years ago we were bombarded with publicity, campaigners and adverts which I am sure were very much needed. But it still goes on.
ReplyDeleteCJ xx
Well done, Sir! I enjoyed hearing Sir Elton John's songs. Your choice of videos was excellent.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder Nick.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick.
ReplyDeleteThere are probably not many people alive who haven't known loss due to the AIDS virus.
I haven't!!
ReplyDeleteThen again, I also haven't known that many people.
I couldn't figure out what the top video was until I realized they were plaques.
` That's a lot of plaques!
*not making a fluoride joke, not making a fluoride joke, not making a fluoride joke... phew!*
Seriously Nick, nice post! Good to know I can't be sneezed upon by such a person....
Thanks for this beautiful and informative post
ReplyDeleteThose are very powerful videos. Thank you, Saintly Nick.
ReplyDelete