World AIDS Day 2022: What You Can Do

Since 1988, World AIDS Day (December 1st) has been acknowledged as a time to recollect these misplaced to AIDS-related diseases, help these presently dwelling with HIV/AIDS and work to finish the HIV epidemic. Need to know extra and what you are able to do to commemorate World AIDS Day? Learn on!

What’s Modified When It Involves HIV/AIDS?

Let me again up a bit. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that harms the immune system. There are three levels of HIV; if not handled, HIV can progress to its ultimate stage, also called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Nevertheless, that is usually preventable; HIV may be managed with the proper care and therapy, whether or not or not it’s Pre-Publicity Prophylaxis (PrEP), Submit-Publicity Prophylaxis (PEP) or antiretroviral remedy (ART).

Make no mistake, folks with HIV who obtain correct care and therapy can now reside lengthy, wholesome lives, all whereas defending a companion. How is that this attainable? Effectively, when constantly taking prescribed HIV drugs, the quantity of HIV in an individual’s blood can lower to such some extent that it will probably now not be detected. And other people whose ranges of HIV are undetectable can’t transmit HIV to their sexual companions. This may be summarized in a bit of phrase: “Undetectable=Untransmittable,” or extra merely, “U=U.”

However whereas there have been advances in consciousness, therapy and testing, the HIV epidemic remains to be a extreme difficulty for sure populations. Sadly, some folks don’t have the identical entry as others to correct info and assets.

Placing Ourselves to the Take a look at

This yr, the U.S. theme for World AIDS Day is “Placing Ourselves to the Take a look at: Attaining Fairness to Finish HIV.” To actually finish the HIV epidemic, there should be equal entry to HIV testing, prevention, care and therapy.

Eradicating the limitations that forestall that is simpler stated than achieved. As an example, some teams of individuals have much less entry to providers because of many components, together with stigma and discrimination.

The Nationwide HIV/AIDS Technique (2022-2025) has recognized 5 populations who’re disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS:

• Homosexual, bisexual and different males who’ve intercourse with males, particularly Black, Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native males• Black ladies• Transgender ladies• Youth aged 13–24 years• Individuals who inject medication

With round 1.5 million new instances globally yearly, eradicating these limitations and creating equitable entry to HIV assets is extra vital than ever.

Why Is Getting Examined for HIV so Essential?

The opposite a part of the theme refers to getting examined for HIV, which helps you to make wholesome choices for your self and your companions. In case you’re sexually energetic, it’s vital that you simply get examined usually. And keep in mind, condoms are the one contraceptive that protects towards each unintended being pregnant and sexually transmitted infections like HIV.

The one option to really know when you’ve got HIV is to get examined!

What You Can Do

This yr, mirror on the message of this yr’s theme. Overtly discuss HIV/AIDS and why we must be privy to it. Encourage these you understand to get examined. Get your self examined! Our Clinic Finder (again up and operating quickly) permits folks to search out well being facilities close to them that present HIV testing, usually at a low (or no) value.

Let’s do what we will to attain equitable entry to HIV care and therapy, make HIV testing a standard a part of our well being care and cut back stigma about HIV/AIDS.