World AIDS Day: 2021!

World AIDS Day: The Beginning:

World AIDS Day was first envisioned in August, 1987, by James W. Bunn and Thomas Nutter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. They jointly delivered their concept to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann endorsed the idea and agreed with the recommendation for the first international observance on 1 December, 1988.

Forty years into the HIV/AIDS pandemic and humanity remains impotent in erasing the viral infection from our bodies. We are knowledgeable on how to prevent the transmission of the disease but we are vastly overwhelmed in efforts to transfer prevention knowledge into practice.

Basic Facts:

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

AIDS is a result of HIV infection.

AIDS is not transferred or transmitted from one person to another. HIV is the virus that is shared. HIV may live within us for many years before the infection may be discovered (detected). For some, the recognition of the AIDS diagnosis may be years after being HIV+ (living with the virus).

HIV is spread through blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk.

The above lists the four body fluids that carry the virus from one person to another. HIV is not contained in sufficient quantity in tears, sweat, saliva to spread (transmit).

Only a physician can diagnose AIDS.

Certain criteria (conditions) must be met before an AIDS determination can be made. Physicians (medical doctors) are the only internationally recognized professionals allowed to make this decision.

Infection:

Untreated (without medical attention), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) which first weakens the human immune system (the body’s ability to fight diseases) and eventually destroys it. Medical treatment can and often does strengthen the immune system and enables people to live longer with healthier and productive lives.

There is currently no known cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS but there are numerous testing strategies internationally to develop either a cure or a vaccine.

A red ribbon on 1 December indicates HIV/AIDS awareness!

U = U means that people living with HIV (HIV+) who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load – the amount of HIV in the blood – by taking and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) as prescribed cannot sexually transmit the virus to others.

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next planned post entry here is for Friday, December 3, 2021, and the proposed topic is: “Sharing!”