Today, December 1, is World AIDS Day, a day to remember those we have lost, support those who are living with HIV, learn the facts, end the stigma and bust myths, as well as raise awareness about AIDS and HIV.
The AIDS epidemic started in 1981 and lasted until the mid-1990s. Since 1981, over 35 million people have died from AIDS, according to the World Health Organization, or WHO.
In 1988, World AIDS day was started as the first global health day. Since then, World AIDS Day has been celebrated every December 1st.
In 2017, there are a lot of misconceptions and myths pertaining to AIDS and HIV; today we will explain and debunk just a few.
What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV and AIDS are not entirely the same thing. HIV, short for human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks one's immune system by destroying T-cells, a type of white blood cells. Over time, this destroys a person’s immune system.
AIDS, short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a syndrome that is caused by HIV; it can also be known as late-stage HIV. HIV becomes AIDS when one immune system is so destroyed that it is now susceptible to many diseases.
Who can contract AIDS or HIV?
One of the biggest myths about AIDS is that it only affects gay men. While it is true that men who have sex with men account for 70 percent of new HIV cases, they are not the only group who are affected by this disease.
Women of color made up 19 percent of those diagnosed with AIDS in 2015, and the majority of those women are straight. Of all those who are living with HIV, 45 percent of them are age 50 and older. People who share used injection needles are also at an increased risk of contracting HIV.
How can AIDS and HIV be prevented?
Another myth is that there is nothing that you can do to prevent and lessen the chances of getting HIV. Using protection in the form of condoms can lessen the risk of HIV spreading; beyond condoms, there is Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, a daily medication for those at a high risk for HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, added PrEP to its HIV prevention guidelines in 2014.
The AIDS epidemic ended over 20 years ago, but that doesn't mean AIDS went away. Worldwide, there are roughly 36.7 million people living with HIV, and 1.1 Million of those are living in the United States. One out of seven people living with HIV in the United States does not know it.
The CDC is pushing for an AIDS-free generation, a generation in which no children are born with HIV. Until then, it is incredibly important that we continue the conversation and fight to end the stigma surrounding AIDS and those who live with it. Once there is an AIDS-free generation, it is important to remember and honor those who have died.
delfin bautista is the director of Ohio University's LGBT Center, faculty advisor to OU's Latino Student Union, and adjunct lecturer for the Social Work Program and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
Have questions? We have answers! Send your questions via email to lgbt@ohio.edu and/or oulgbtcenter@gmail.com; via Tumblr (oulgbtcenter); via Twitter to @oulgbtcenter with hashtag #qaqueer; or post/message to Facebook (oulgbtcenter). So bring it on, do it to it and query a queer.
