World Aids Day is on the 1st of December, it brings people together all around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to demonstrate international solidarity about the disease. This day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the disease and to encourage HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in all countries around the world.
HIV stands for Human
Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus.
When HIV enters someone’s body it slowly attacks and destroys the immune
system. HIV/AIDS is a topic that has been greatly discussed and researched due
to its’ impact on human beings. Ever since the HIV/AIDS virus was identified,
people have been trying to find ways of educating others about this virus. AIDS
is becoming a threat in rural area than in cities.
The impact of AIDS
epidemic has reflected an annual change in South Africa. The overall number of
deaths increased since 1997 to 2007 when 607,184 people died. The raise of
mortality rate is not due to HIV/AIDS but it is in young adults, the age group
is mostly affected by AIDS causing an increase in the mortality rate. South
Africa’s HIV/AIDS causes devastation on children in a number of ways. HIV in
South Africa is transmitted through heterosexual sex, with mother to child
transmission meaning that being the other is the only infection route. HIV
mostly targets young adult meaning it is uncommon for one or more parents to
die of AIDS while their children are young. The loss of parents has an
emotional impact on children but mostly leave families with financial problems.
The extended family plays a very difficult role; there are a number of
communication campaigns trying to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. The loveLife
campaign has been running since 1999 and uses media to convey direct messages
to the teens. The government aims to bring a general discussion on HIV/AIDS by
using the media this in turn avoids myths about HIV.
HIV/AIDS testing is important in order to get
treatment and can lead to a stage where one protects others from getting
infected. Furthermore there are risk reductions for preventing HIV such as
using protection.
A red
ribbon is a symbol that people use to recognize HIV and Aids and people who
live with these conditions. HIV/AIDS is real, people let us stay safe and condomise. By doing so, you not only saving yourself but also other.
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