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Red ribbons support battle against HIV/AIDS
By Krista Goerte
Published December 1, 2009
Today is World Aids Day.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 1.1 to 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV or aids and a quarter of that population are not aware they have it.
This highlights the importance of recognizing World Aids Day today.
Special Health Resources for Texas, a program developed to serve the AIDS population in east Texas, asks that individuals wear a red ribbon in support of those who have died from AIDS and to offer hope to those living with HIV/AIDS. The organization will be handing out red ribbons at their office, located at 3737 Lamar Avenue, in Chisum Square behind Walgreens.
Education is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of the disease, and recognizing World AIDS Day helps make people aware of the problem.
A non-profit organization, Special Health offers treatment and other services to HIV infected individuals as well as free confidential testing for HIV, syphillis and hepatitis C from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month.
Special Health can be contacted at 903-785-0078.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Blood tests for the virus look for antibodies made in an effort to fight off the virus.
The presence of the antibodies means someone is HIV positive. It does not, however, mean someone has AIDS.
Contrary to popular belief, people do not “get” AIDS. People are infected with HIV, which in time as the virus slowly wears down the immune system, can turn into AIDS. When the immune system has been severely compromised, the disease is said to be AIDS.
Currently there is no cure for AIDS. Treatment can slow the virus and damage to the immune system, but there is no way to clear the virus from the body.
HIV is most commonly transmitted through: having sex with an infected person; sharing a needle (shooting drugs) with someone who is infected; being born when a baby’s mother is infected; or drinking the breast milk of a woman who is infected.
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