Today is World AIDS Day – Time to become more aware

Today is World AIDS day and is the 30th anniversary of a pioneering health campaign first started by the World Health Organization in the year 1988.  The motto of the day is to Urge people to know their HIV infection status through testing, and to access HIV prevention, treatment and care services and to Urge policy-makers to promote a “health for all” agenda for HIV and related health services, such as tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis and noncommunicable diseases.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.  The virus is generally transmitted through having sexual intercourse without a condom with somebody who has HIV/AIDS, using needles or syringes that have been used by someone who has HIV/AIDS, being punctured with a needle or surgical instrument that has been contaminated with HIV, getting HIV blood, semen or vaginal discharge into open injuries or wounds and babies born to women with HIV/AIDS can get HIV from their mothers during birth or from breastfeeding.

Prevention can be done through practicing monogamy or practicing sex with only one partner especially married spouse, have safer sex and always use protection, get your partners tested for HIV. (Source Lybrate).