World AIDS Day
HIV Awareness Month
Brett Dault
World AIDS Day (est. 1988) is held
each year on December 1st and is an
opportunity for people worldwide to
unite in the fight against HIV (Human
Immunodeficiency Virus), show their
support for people living with HIV, and
to commemorate people who have died.
World AIDS Day is important because
it reminds the public and government
that HIV has not gone away – there is
still a vital need to raise money, increase
awareness, fight prejudice and improve
education. The day is an opportunity
to show support to and solidarity with
the millions of people living with HIV –
wearing a red ribbon is one simple way to
do this.
Globally there are an estimated 34 million
people who have HIV. Despite the virus
only being identified in 1984, more than
35 million people have died of HIV or
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome), making it one of the most
destructive pandemics in history.
To help understand the difference between
HIV and AIDS: HIV attacks the immune
system and gradually causes damage.
This can mean that without treatment
and care, a person with HIV is at risk of
developing serious infections and cancers
that a healthy immune system would
fight off; it does not mean that person has
AIDS. However, it is possible for a person
FACTS
HIV stands for human
immunodeficiency virus.
Every day, about 5,600 people
contract HIV. That’s more than
230 every hour.
The fight against AIDS is about
social justice & reaching those
who still lack access.
Over 1 million people die every
year from AIDS. That's 1 million
moms, dads, kids & friends.
whose immune system has been damaged
by HIV to develop AIDS – the name used
to describe a combination of potentially
life-threatening infections and cancers.
Florida leads the nation as having the
highest number of cases and the highest
infection rate. Orlando ranks eleventh in
the country of number of known HIV cases,
with Miami being first and Jacksonville
third. Central Florida is home to many
renowned treatment and support options,
such as the Orlando Immunology Center
(exceptional national leader in treatment
and research), Hope and Help (support
services and education), and AHF (AIDS
Healthcare Foundation), which provides
cutting-edge treatment, support, and
advocacy regardless of ability to pay. Free
testing is available in many places, with
confidentiality and anonymity ensured.
Today, with treatment, those with HIV
can lead long, healthy, and productive
lives. And there continues to be more
hope. Significant scientific advances have
been made in HIV treatment, there are
laws to protect people living with HIV
and we understand so much more about
the condition. Being diagnosed with HIV
today means something very different
than it did 20 or 30 years ago…it is no
longer a death sentence.
HIV is currently treated with antiretroviral
treatment (ART) drug regimens which
slow the progression of the infection by
reducing the amount of HIV in the body
so the immune system can work normally,
but never entirely rids the body of the
virus. These drugs have allowed doctors
to treat HIV/AIDS as a chronic illness as
opposed to a fatal one. Incredible strides
have been and continue to be made with
ART, including treatments that require
only one daily pill which is effective and
minimizes almost all side effects. It is
now possible for a person with HIV to
become “undetectable,” which means the
virus can no longer be detected within
their body, and they are [up to 96%] noninfectious.
(Continue on page 48)
DECEMBER 2016
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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