As someone who is living with HIV and has lost at least five friends to AIDS, I'd like to remind DKos that today is World AIDS Day. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic.
Please help me share this important message: "To find an HIV test site, text your ZIP to "KNOWIT" (566948), or visit www.HIVtest.org.
What does it mean that so many in our cities, states, countries and continents still lack access to healthcare and testing for HIV?
Why are so many young people under the false impression that HIV & AIDS is no longer a theat? Or that it can't happen to "me?"
I issue this diary call to action and ask you to share your stories. Please continue to spread the word by posting comments or new diaries about HIV and AIDS throughout the year. Visit AIDS.gov or our partners’ websites and subscribe to the AIDS.gov blog for inspiration!
HIV Testing Centers via Text Messaging
Encourage HIV testing by telling people to find local HIV testing sites by sending a text message with their ZIP code to "KNOWIT" (566948) or visiting www.hivtest.org. You promoted KNOWIT by copying the code at http://www.aids.gov/... and pasting it on your profile, website, or blog.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). By killing or damaging cells of the body's immune system, HIV progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers.
Over one million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS today. Worldwide, the figure is over 33 million. Effective HIV care—including antiretroviral drug therapies and regular access to primary health care—can help people manage their HIV disease and live longer.
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)
How is HIV transmitted?
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
On October 30th President Obama signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. It represents the ongoing commitment to ensuring access to needed HIV/AIDS care and treatment. The White House and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) worked very closely with Congress on this bipartisan legislation, and the consensus document developed by the HIV/AIDS advocacy community was an important part of the process.
The Ryan White Program is the largest federal program specifically dedicated to providing HIV care and treatment. It funds heavily impacted metropolitan areas, states, and local community-based organizations to provide life-saving medical care, medications, and support services to more than half a million people each year: the uninsured and underinsured, racial and ethnic minorities, people of all ages.
The President also announced the elimination of the HIV entry ban. Since 1987, HIV-positive travelers and immigrants have been banned from entering or traveling through the United States without a special waiver. In July 2008, Congress removed all legislative barriers to repealing the ban and paved the way for HHS to repeal the ban. A final rule will be published in the Federal Register on Monday, November 2nd and will take effect in early January 2010. That means that people who have HIV and are not U.S. citizens will be able to enter the U.S. starting in January next year. This is a major step in ending the stigma associated with HIV.
If you are in Houston, please join me for a Citywide Candlelight Vigil -5:30 to 7:00pm at Tranquility Park, Downtown Houston.