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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Today is World AIDS Day


Today, December 1, is World AIDS Day. Although it may seem the AIDS epidemic is not affecting lives in the US, statistics show quite a different story. HIV is still a threat across the United States. And even though there are treatments to help people with HIV live longer than ever before, AIDS is still a significant health issue. Surprised? Get the facts:

Every 9½ minutes (on average), someone in the United States is infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

·         In 2006, an estimated 56,300 people became infected with HIV.

·         More than 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV.

 
Of those 1 million people living with HIV, 1 out of 5 do not know they are infected. (People who have HIV but don't know it can unknowingly pass the virus to their partners.)
 
·         Despite new therapies, people with HIV still develop AIDS.

·         Over 1 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with AIDS.

·         More than 14,000 people with AIDS still die each year in the United States.

 
It is important for everyone to get the facts, talk about HIV/AIDS with partners and loved ones, reduce risk behaviors, and get tested to learn their HIV status.

Take Control of Your Health. Get Tested.

It is important to learn your HIV status and that of your partners because studies have shown that when people find out they are living with HIV, they take steps to protect their health and that of their partners. Furthermore, once you learn your status, if you find out that you have HIV infection, you can seek medical care that can reduce the impact of HIV on your health, substantially increase your lifespan, and improve your quality of life.**

(**This information was taken from the CDC’s Act Against Aids website at
https://www.nineandahalfminutes.org/ )

Resources for more information and free testing

<
https://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/aids/facts/index.htm>

<
https://www.hivtest.org/index.cfm>

<
https://www.nineandahalfminutes.org/>

 

Jeanne Flanagan, RN, BSN
Student Health Services
12/01/2010