30/11/2022
Decmber 1st is the designated day for World AIDS Day Australia. This post is dedicated to help spread awareness and provide factual information about AIDS. Together we can help end the stigma around this conversation! 😄
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a condition that can cause AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV and AIDS are not the same thing.
Left untreated, HIV attacks the body’s immune system making the body vulnerable to infections and medical conditions that the immune system would be normally capable of controlling. People who have newly acquired HIV can experience flu like symptoms, but others do not notice any symptoms for many years.
HIV is not an air-borne virus such as the flu. It cannot be passed on by hugging, kissing, shaking hands, coughing or sneezing, nor can it be transmitted through sharing toilets, washing facilities, eating utensils or consuming food and beverages handled by someone who has HIV.
Here are some ways you can help prevent HIV transmission!
1: Practice safer s*x. you can do this by asking your GP about options to do so.👩⚕️🩺
2: Sharing needles and personal care items (e.g. razors) can increase the risk of HIV being transmitted through blood 💉
3: The only way to know if you have HIV is through HIV testing. Testing is easy and free of charge in most health facilities. An HIV test is carried out by taking blood from a finger or arm, or by using an oral swab. 🧪
HIV does not discriminate, people do. Stigma and discrimination will continue to exist so long as societies as a whole continue to judge people with HIV. You can help change this by gaining a better understanding of HIV and encouraging others to learn too.
Reduce the stigma by talking about HIV.🎈
