Letter to the editor: HIV and AIDs awareness

In 2016 there were 36.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS, this includes 160,000 children under the age of 15 (UNAIDS, 2018). World AIDS Day, celebrated annually on December 1st, brings awareness to the HIV epidemic which has helped create unity and develop health care for those dealing with HIV/AIDS. There is a negative stigma surrounding those who deal with disease, affecting them emotionally and physically. Many of these unfavorable beliefs about those with HIV/AIDS stem from biases about gender, sexuality, and race. Anyone can contract HIV/AIDS. It is most commonly transmitted through unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse. In addition, sharing syringes or needles to inject drugs is a high-risk behavior for transmitting HIV/AIDS. Other less common ways of spreading HIV/AIDS include, mother to child during childbirth, blood transfusions, oral sex or being stuck by a contaminated needle. While HIV is very serious, there are ways to prevent infection and/or treat the symptoms.

Low-risk behaviors such as abstinence, practicing safe/protected sex, getting annual STD testing, not participating in drug use with shared needles, and open communication with your sexual partners will all reduce your risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. There is also a pill, called Truvada that can reduce a person’s risk of HIV/AIDS infection. This pill is now approved for people to take on a daily basis as a prophylaxis according to the National Institutes of Health. Additionally, over the past several years, there have been medical advances to slow the progression of AIDS; however, this medication to treat HIV/AIDS does not cure the disease. According to HIV.gov, HIV is a retrovirus in which the medications used to treat are antiretrovirals (ARV). The treatment is a combination of ARV’s and if taken consistently and correctly will keep a person healthy for many years, as well as reduce the risk of transmission to a sexual partner.

World AIDS Day furthers the medical and community support for people living with HIV/AIDS by promoting and facilitating events that increase awareness and education and decrease negative stigma. As a part of bringing awareness to HIV/AIDS, the University of Idaho also facilitates several events. Vandal Health Education and the LGBTQA Office are hosting North Idaho AIDS Coalition on campus to offer free HIV testing to the University of Idaho community on Wednesday, November 28, 11 am – 4 pm in the Idaho Commons Panorama Room. All students, faculty and staff are invited to attend to access free HIV testing – testing is free, confidential and quick. The CDC recommends all people ages 13 to 64 be tested at least once as a part of routine healthcare. Those engaging in higher risk behaviors should be tested more often. Additionally, Vandal Health Education and Generation Action will be tabling in the Commons during the week promoting World AIDS Day and STI prevention.