Step Up The Fight Against HIV

(photos from AP, nextnature and kris.mkrevo)

Dec. 1 is World's AIDS day. A time to wear that Red Ribbon, the global symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS. You see, more and more people are infected with HIV each day and we just can't sit on our couch, stare blankly at the wall, and wait for our dear ones to be infected too. We have to do something. We have to make people realize the value of healthy and responsible sexuality.

FAST FACTS

Definition: AIDS and HIV are not the same thing. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the body's immune system. Someone is said to have AIDS if their immune systems are badly damaged by the HIV virus, or if they develop serious infections connected with HIV. Generally, people don't die from AIDS itself, but from the other diseases that AIDS leaves them susceptible to.

People living with HIV:
33 million people living with HIV worldwide

30.8 million adults

15.5 million women

2.0 million children under 15

New HIV cases in 2007:
2.7 million total new cases
2.3 million adults
370,000 children under 15

HIV-related deaths in 2007:
2.0 million total deaths

(All figures from UNAIDS and World AIDS Day Org.)

Sexual behaviors that can transmit HIV:
Oral sex

Vaginal sex
Anal sex

Other ways that HIV can be transmitted:
Blood transfusions
Sharing needles when shooting drugs
Home tattooing and body piercing
Accidental needle sticks
Childbirth
Breastfeeding

Read. Learn. Interact. Help. We can step up the fight against HIV.

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