World Aids Awareness Day

Today is December 1, which is World Aids Awareness Day. HIV (AIDS) is one of the world’s biggest medical crises because there is no cure. There are about 40 million people in the world who have aids, and 1 million are in the United States.

Here are some HIV facts:

HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. The immune system is how our bodies keep us from getting sick.

HIV is passed on through infected bodily fluids, usually through sex without a condom or in sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment.

There are more people living with HIV now than ever before, and a quarter of those people do not know that they have the virus.

Over 90% of people with HIV were infected through sexual contact.

Testing for HIV can be done using a saliva sample.

HIV is not passed on through sharing utensils, spitting, or biting.

Only 1% of babies born to HIV positive mothers have HIV.

It only takes 15-20 minutes to get the results of an HIV test.

There is no vaccine or cure for HIV.

World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, and the first one was held in 1988. Here are some things you can do this day to support those who have HIV.

Learn more about HIV (AIDs).
Support education about this disease and the protection against it.
Help people who have AIDS.
Give time, money or whatever you can to support the research to end this disease.