World Aids Day

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The Red Campaign supports AIDS Relief in Africa

World’s Aids Day was started by the World Health Organization in 1988 to remember those who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. HIV is a virus that affects the immune system and essentially makes the person susceptible to very simple infections and can progress to severe illness referred to as AIDS, which is the result of having the virus overwhelm the body’s immune system. Half of all new cases of HIV are young people defined as ages 13-24 years old.

Prejudice

There was so little known about HIV initially that everyone including the medical community mistreated those who were infected with the HIV virus. Some of the most famous who contracted HIV were Ryan White a young teen who became infected with the virus through a blood transfusion, Magic Johnson the basketball player for the Lakers and Rock Hudson, the actor. Most likely because of the association of HIV with Gay men, there was still a lack education and information in the churches, school, etc.

Prevention

Teens are defined by their high risk taking behavior. They simply do not think anything bad will happen to them. If their desire to take risks is coupled to their ignorance about the sexually transmitted disease, HIV, the impact can cause the death of more teens that have become infected. Shielding your teen from information about HIV does not keep them safe. In 2004, 232 young people died of HIV. Of those teens that become infected, the rate is higher among African American and gay male teens.

What can you do?

There are several opportunities to get the word out about HIV. Parents who are educated are knowledgeable enough to encourage awareness in the schools. They know that by educating not only their teen, but the teens in their community teens are going to be more safe. You know, the teens who will most likely become sexually active with your teen, educating them decreases the risk for not just your, but all teens. Education helps provide accurate information about the role of condoms in decreasing HIV transmission, how a person is tested (blood, urine and saliva) and how the person’s health is managed once they do get HIV.

Global action

By empowering your teen with accurate information you are protecting them, you also send a ripple of a global message that ultimately helps support HIV research and prevention. There are several ways to get involved locally and show support globally. The following are a few organizations listed:

Information

Something to do

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