According to AIDS.gov, the World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Campaign is the leading international organization which plans and implements the observance. World AIDS Day is held December 1st of every year and helps to strengthen awareness of the disease. This day supports unity of for everyone around the world. In observation of World AIDS Day, Hampton University students took part in several awareness events
It is well known that the virus runs rampant in many places. The population of HIV and AIDS patients is almost unreal. Over the years more than 35 million people have succumbed to the disease due to complications of the immune system. The disease is spread through a number of actions but for college students, the main focus on how to prevent the contraction is sex. Unprotected sex is the cause of many diseases (STD’s and STI’s) such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Herpes just to name a few. By now, we should all know unprotected anal, oral, and vaginal sex is the most common way to spread the HIV virus. Practicing abstinence or having protected sex is the best way to be safe against this killer disease.
Condoms are the key and so is getting tested regularly. You should have an HIV test during a medical check-up—just like you have a blood test or a urine test to be sure you are healthy. In spite of that recommendation, however, most people are tested on the basis of their risk factors for getting HIV. You should get tested for HIV every at least every year if you:
- Share needles/syringes or other equipment (“works”) for injecting drugs
- Have a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Have had unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with multiple or anonymous partners.
- Or if you have had had unprotected sex with a partner who did not know their own HIV status.
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It is important to understand the risk of such behaviors. It is also important to understand that you’re not immune to the disease. HIV/AIDS doesn’t know your name or how good of a person you are. It doesn’t care what race you are, how old you are, or what status you have in life. You don’t want to be stuck facing treatments, taking tons of pills every day, and fighting for your life on a regular basis simply because you wanted a thrill for one night.
Although AIDS used to be a death sentence, nowadays it’s becoming less fatal. If you do find yourself facing a diagnosis there are several programs that will help you in your transition. But as young people, the most important thing we have to focus on is prevention. Your life is in your control when it comes to fighting the power of this disease. Awareness and education is the most pivotal tool in helping others along the way, so don’t forget to learn the facts and pay it forward. World AIDS Day is dedicated to the fight around the globe but don’t let it be the only day the importance of the disease affects your life.