In a few hours, we will be celebrating WORLD AIDS DAY. World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease. As of July 2019, there have been 69,512 total reported cases in the Philippines since 1984 with 3,514 reported AIDS-related deaths. More than a third of new cases occur among our youth ages 15-24 years old, mostly among those males having sex with males. Transmission can occur in three ways: (1) thru unprotected penetrative sexual intercourse with an infected individual; (2) thru injection of infected blood and (3) from an infected mother to her unborn child during pregnancy, during labor and delivery and thru breastfeeding. Body fluids that can transmit HIV include seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, blood, and breastmilk. Preventing HIV transmission includes ABCDE: A - abstinence, wait for your one true love B - be mutually faithful C - check your HIV status. If reactive, correct and consistent condom use D - don't do drugs and don't drink alcohol E - educate yourself and others for early detection Knowing all these about HIV prevention, we need to raise HIV awareness because there is no cure for HIV. However, with medications, we can manage HIV infection just like any other disease, to allow the PLHIV to live normal productive lives free of stigma and discrimination. It is time for everyone to be involved.
We invite everyone to be involved.
HIV/AIDS is not THEIR problem.
It is everyone's problem.
Families cannot do it alone.
Healthcare workers can not do it alone. Local government units can not do it alone.
World AIDS Day Cebu 2019 is an inclusive event. Everybody is invited to join #WADCebu2019. If everyone in the community as gathered here today, including government agencies, hospitals, medical and civil societies, academic institutions, researchers and students, organizations, religious groups, business and industries, and other agencies, cared enough to do their part to show support and work together in raising the issues and finding solutions to address the Philippine HIV Epidemic, then maybe, just maybe our communites will make the difference. This is our call to action, that every child can be protected against the threat of HIV infection.
Join us tonight (Nov 30, 2019) at 9:00 pm on #HealthXPH as we discuss how communities make the difference for World AIDS Day.
T1. How can you help raise HIV awareness?
T2. How can we reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV?
T3. What message can you give to families and friends affected by HIV, especially those who lost loved ones to AIDS?
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