Save our Sisters | National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Every 35 minutes, a woman in the U.S. receives a positive HIV test result.  In comparison with men, women are disproportionately affected by HIV.  In other words, women are infected with HIV at higher rates than their male counterparts.  The US Department of Health and Human Services is taking action.  They have declared March 10, 2010 as National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Time for Action!

Get Tested!

So you have the truth about HIV, now what?  The truth is that you can have HIV and not know it.  So, getting tested is critical for knowing your status, protecting yourself and preventing the spread of the virus to those you know and love.  Click on the link at the bottom right hand side of the page to find a testing site near you.

“Without Love, Courage Fails” – American Red Cross  

How Can I Protect Myself?

Talk with your partner(s)

+ Know your status (and that of your partners)

+ Talk with your partner

+ Abstain from sexual activity outside of a monogamous marriage relationship

- If not, use a condom (or other barrier) during all sexual activity

+ Avoid IV (intravenous) drug use or don’t share needles

+ Check for sterile equipment when getting tattoos or other body piercings.

What is AIDS?

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

AIDS is the disease caused by HIV.  The letters stand for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.  This long word means that a person can’t “catch” the disease.  A person has to actively do something to acquire (get) AIDS.  Also, a persons’ immune system will not function effectively, making them more vulnerable to illnesses that a non-infected individual would be able to fight off.  Common illnesses for people not infected, become life-threatening and can potentially result in death for someone infected with HIV.

What is HIV?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

What is HIV?

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.  The letters stand for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.  This long word means that the illness causes a persons’ immune system, their internal line of defense, to not function properly.  This simply means that a person will become sick more easily than a non-infected person.  Although there is hope, presently, HIV is incurable meaning that once you have the virus you have it for life.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus | HIV

+ Knowledge is Powerful -

As someone who is passionate about the disproportionate numbers of young women who are being robbed of life as a result of this disease, I have to believe that a cure will be created in my lifetime.  As volunteers for Triad Health Project, an HIV service organization, we look forward to the day that their doors close because a cure for HIV equals no clients.  The good news today is that protecting ourselves and our families is not dependent upon discovering a cure.  We can start by arming ourselves with basic knowledge about what causes HIV, how the virus is spread and how it can be prevented.  So let’s take a look at what HIV is and is not and other truths about the virus that causes AIDS.

Spearhead Video | Positive

Did You Know?

There are many reasons why people may choose to not know their HIV status.  A person may let fear paralyze them from action or still others may shy away from HIV simply because they do not understand it.  It’s 2010; over 25 years after HIV made its major entrance on America’s scene and far too many of us have little to no understanding of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.  As long as we remain in the dark, more people will succumb to the disease, especially our young women between the ages of 25-44, the fastest growing group of new HIV infections.

Hello World!

"It's Better to Know"

Thank you for visiting my spot on wordpress.com.  As you read and continue to visit this blog, hopefully you will be encouraged to take care of your health.  Remember “It’s Better to Know”.

~ “It’s Better to Know” team