Friday, 28th November 2014
Every year on 1st December it's World AIDs Day, and every year I get a red ribbon and wear it proudly. Every year for over a decade, since my involvement in LGBT life, I've taken part in a day to remember those who have lost their lives to HIV and those still living with it. So, when I was asked to write a blog about it I thought it would be no problem, I know all about it right? Wrong.
I sat down and flexed my fingers ready to type, thinking of anything I could sink my teeth into, any hook to write around, and I was stuck. Completely and utterly stuck. It made me reflect on what I actually thought about AIDS and HIV, the assumptions that I've taken from the media and that I've formulated in my own head. People living with HIV now are just a few older gay men and people in poor countries far away, right?
So I did some research and it opened my eyes.
1.5 million people died last year from AIDS related illnesses. Think about it for a minute. 1.5 million. Every single one of them loved someone and was loved back. Parents, children, friends, lovers. Lives that are gone, ended because of HIV.
But surely they were infected before, right? People aren't still getting infected? It's not the case - around 2 million people were infected with HIV in 2013 alone. Because of lack of education or access to resources.
We are lucky to live in these times, we now have ART treatment to help to control the spread of HIV worldwide, but more than that it's also improving the quality and length of life of people living with it.
We are even luckier to live in the UK, because of better sexual health education and access to condoms, we don't have the same level of issues with HIV/AIDS as other countries, but it's still here and it's still spreading. In 2013 6000 people were diagnosed as being HIV positive and there's an estimated 26,000 people who are living with, and possibly spreading, HIV without knowing it. Please don't let one of them be you.
If you’d like to know where you can get a free HIV or full sexual health screen locally then click here or here. You can also chat to a Trade worker for more information on 0116 254 1747 or by emailing info@tradesexualhealth.com.
Know you status.
Written by Jack Davis
