World AIDS Day
Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.
Today is World AIDS Day, an annual dedication to raising awareness about AIDS and HIV. AIDS has claimed millions of lives globally, and approximately 2,000 HIV/AIDS cases are diagnosed right here in Chicago every year.
HIV diagnosis is no longer the death sentence it was over 20 years ago. Treatment and medications have made incredible progress, allowing many people to manage their infection as a chronic illness rather than a terminal disease. However, these improved treatments are no reason to become careless in safe-sex practices. Many young people today did not live through the height of the AIDS epidemic and may not fully realize the severity of HIV and AIDS. People taking medication may still have to deal with gastrointestinal issues, kidney failure, headaches, and nausea. Financial issues add to the stress, as the medicine typically costs $20,000 to $25,000 per year (without insurance).[1] Finally, there is always the chance that the person will develop a drug-resistant strain of the virus.
This year's World AIDS Day theme is 'Leadership.' Leaders are recognized for their action and initiative, for getting involved and setting an example for others. You don't have to hold a special office position though to be a leader. You can be a leader among your friends, family, and/or community:
Get tested and encourage others to do so. Even if you think you have low risk for HIV infection, get tested whenever you have a regular medical check-up. Learn as much as you can about your partner's past behavior, and encourage him/her to get tested if he/she hasn't. Get tested together if you have to. In the United States, approximately 25% of people infected with HIV don't know it.[2] For testing locations and answers to questions about HIV/AIDS, call the State of Illinois AIDS/STD hotline at 800-AID-AIDS (800-243-2437).
Educate yourself and those around you. There are several misconceptions about HIV, AIDS, and transmission of the virus. You cannot become infected from a drinking fountain, silverware, food, drinking glasses, or a toilet seat. HIV is not transmitted through day-to-day activities like shaking hands, hugging, or even a casual kiss. The virus can be transferred when blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, or breast milk from an infected person enters the body of an uninfected person. Contact with saliva, tears, or sweat has never been shown to result in transmission of HIV.
Write a letter or join a rally demanding universal access. All people should have equal opportunity and access to health care, regardless of their social class, ethnicity, background, or physical disabilities. In many countries, an infrastructure exists to help put this idea into practice. However, many developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe still have several barriers to face.
Volunteer or donate to an AIDS cause. For a list of HIV/AIDS resources in Chicago, click here.
Finally, to all my friends living with HIV or AIDS, I'll be thinking of you today and always.
[1] http://www.worldaidscampaign.info/
[2] http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/3029-071.pdf
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