Mangyan Blogger: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and You!

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and You!

Today (December 1), observe World AIDS Day to raise awareness of the global impact of HIV/AIDS! World AIDS Day is a global celebration where we look back on all that's been accomplished for those that are infected and affected by HIV, as well as look forward to what more we need to do. On World AIDS Day, we pay tribute to the millions of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Philippines and around the world, and the millions of people who have been tested for HIV.

Let us support and participate in the various activities of our respective organizations, sectors, and communities to mark World AIDS Day 2011 to help increase awareness of the HIV and AIDS conditions as well as contribute to an intensified campaign for the prevention and proper treatment of these conditions.

We are all living with HIV-- but like these celebritiesand prominent figures of society, we can cometogether and do something to stop the rise of theepidemic in the country. Join and blow the red whistle.

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that around 33 million people worldwide have been infected with HIV and that around two million each year die from AIDS-related conditions. In view of this, the United Nations General Assembly on October 27, 1988, officially recognized December 1, 1988, as World AIDS Day. This year’s World AIDS campaign focuses on “Zero AIDS Related Deaths’’ to stimulate a “push toward greater access to treatment for all’’ without discrimination.

Why should I take the HIV test?

The following are behaviors that increase your chances of getting HIV. If you answer yes to any of them, you should definitely get an HIV test. If you continue with any of these behaviors, you should be tested every year. Talk to a health care provider about an HIV testing schedule that is right for you.

Have you injected drugs or steroids or shared equipment (such as needles, syringes, works) with others? Have you had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with men who have sex with men, multiple partners, or anonymous partners?
Have you exchanged sex for drugs or money? Have you been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD), like syphilis?
Have you had unprotected sex with someone who could answer yes to any of the above questions?

If you have had sex with someone whose history of sex partners and/or drug use is unknown to you or if you or your partner has had many sex partners, then you have more of a chance of being infected with HIV. Both you and your new partner should get tested for HIV, and learn the results, before having sex for the first time.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that destroys the body's CD4

immune cells, which help fight disease. With the right medications, you

can have HIV for years or decades without HIV progressing to AIDS.

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is diagnosed when you

have HIV as well as certain opportunistic infections or your CD4 cell count

drops below 200.

Picture credits to medicinenet.com

In the Philippines, we have the Take the Test group who brings HIV testing closer to the community through quality confidential counseling and informative education. This is an innovative way of making everyone a responsible owner of their own sexuality. Their projects are about Awareness Campaign on HIV, FREE HIV Antibody Testing, Pre-test and Post-Test HIV Counseling (one-on-one), Effective Referral and follow-up. You may like them on Facebook here http://www.facebook.com/takethetest or email them here takethetestproject@yahoo.com.

We recognize that HIV testing and linkage to care can save lives and are working to build on those successes to allow more people to live longer and healthier lives. The media will always be a powerful tool. And as in any campaign for awareness, I’m hoping it can really drive a hard point: That HIV is here and must be faced.

Let us support and participate in the various activities of our respective organizations, sectors, and communities to mark World AIDS Day 2011 to help increase awareness of the HIV and AIDS conditions as well as contribute to an intensified campaign for the prevention and proper treatment of these conditions.

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