World AIDS Day

On 1 December every year World AIDS Day provides a focal point for people to fight against HIV, show their support for those living with the infection and commemorate those who have died.

HIV and AIDS first became evident in the 1980s and between 1981 and 2007, 25 million people have died from the virus. Globally, the United Nations estimates 33.3 million are now infected with the virus.

In the UK, around 91,500 people are HIV-positive according to Health Protection Agency, but it is thought that about a quarter of these don't know it and remain undiagnosed.

A generation grew up in the 1980s when the AIDS epidemic first came to light understanding only too well about protecting themselves and adopting safe sex practices, but this level of awareness seems to have fallen away.

More than 90% of HIV-positive people are infected through sexual contact, so events like World AIDS Day are essential to ensure this generation doesn’t lose sight of the importance of safe sex practices.

Gay men and black Africans are still at highest risk of having HIV, although many UK-based Africans were infected abroad rather than in the UK. In 2010, 3,000 gay men were diagnosed as HIV-positive, the highest level ever, accounting for 69% of HIV infections sexually acquired in the UK, according to the Terence Higgins Trust.

But the numbers of people infected through heterosexual sex tripled over the past decade and are continuing to rise.

While these figures are shocking, progress is being made and many scientific and medical advances have meant that people contracting the virus can live long and healthy lives with the right drug regimes, although there remains no cure for AIDS.

And where HIV-positive people were once discriminated against and lived in fear of their work colleagues finding out about their condition, laws are now in place protecting people living with HIV.

But the levels of acceptance vary depending on the country and culture and for many people there is considerable discrimination and stigma attached to being HIV-positive.

The first World AIDS Day was held in 1988, becoming the first ever global health day, in recognition of one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

The virus can be transmitted through bodily fluids, which is why condoms are recommended for safe sex, and needles should not be shared between drug takers.

Early diagnosis is vital for HIV management. People diagnosed late are ten times more likely to die within one year than those diagnosed before treatment is required.

The Terrence Higgins Trust advises anyone who is sexually active to: have a sexual health check-up, with an HIV test; use condoms with every new partner and, if you are HIV-positive, get yourself treated and looked after. See www.myHIV.org.uk

Sir Nick Partridge, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “HIV rates in the UK remain dangerously high and to bring them down we all have to take responsibility for our sexual health. We can’t just rely on partners, or chance, to keep sex safe.

"There are more people than ever with HIV in the UK and one in four may be passing on the virus, unaware that they even have it. Lets start talking more about safer sex, testing and treatment to keep people well and prevent even more becoming infected.”

More information: HIV Aware

Take a look at Annie Lennox’s exclusive Yahoo! video for World AIDS Day: Sing

This article was published on Wed 30 November 2011