World AIDS Day is developing on Sunday, December 1 and workers at Huron Perth Public Well being are reminding the general public of how far we have come in the case of the illness.
Julie Bergman, Public Well being Nurse at HPPH, says the annual day is a time to replicate on all of the progress made when it comes to treating HIV, the an infection that causes AIDS.
“We have come up to now. not solely in therapy, but additionally within the stigma that goes together with HIV. It is a time for us to recollect the 80’s and 90’s when the AIDS disaster first hit and the discrimination that homosexual males endured due to it,” Bergman mentioned.
Bergman says remedies for HIV have superior up to now, and two vital issues have occurred during the last couple many years which have been very impactful. The primary is that due to fashionable remedies, those that contract HIV, the an infection that causes AIDS, have a lot better outcomes.
“It’s uncommon that an individual on therapy would ever progress to AIDS. Most individuals who turn into contaminated with HIV, with adherence to the therapy, reside an extended life freed from AIDS,” Bergman shared.
Moreover, fashionable remedies have additionally made HIV basically undetectable in those that have the virus.
“In order that implies that there’s not sufficient of the virus of their physique that they might transmit it. So it is a idea often known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U). So which means individuals who have HIV and are adhering to the therapy, cannot transmit it to a different particular person,” mentioned Bergman.
Everybody is inspired to put on a purple scarf on December 1 to mark World AIDS day.
“We want to remind the community that HIV can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation,” Bergman identified. “HIV testing is available for free at HPPH sexual health clinics.”
To be taught extra about companies provided or to make an appointment, go to hpph.ca/sexualhealth.
The Stratford Crimson Scarf Challenge set up for AIDS Consciousness Week will happen Sunday, December 1 in downtown Stratford. Crimson scarves, knitted and donated by native knitters, shall be positioned on parking meters and benches across the downtown core and Ontario Avenue. As well as, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) has organized occasions as part of their annual Crimson Scarf Motion.
Occasions embrace a live performance on Saturday, November 30 at Centennial Corridor in London, and a vigil on Sunday at Innovation Works in London, with a live-stream choice.
For extra data on the Crimson Scarf Motion and to become involved, go to www.redscarf.ca.
