HIV / AIDS, Get Educated, Get Healthy
By: David Pryor, MD on (0 comments)
December 1 is World AIDS Day, a global initiative to encourage countries and communities to take a stand against HIV/AIDS. We here at BlackWomensHealth feel very strongly about recognizing the fight against HIV/AIDS—not only on World AIDS Day, but all through December and every day of the year.
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a viral disease that affects the cells of the immune system, similar to other viruses such as colds and the flu. The HIV virus, however, does not “clear out” after a week or two and go away like other viruses. The good news is that we have come a long way in the last 30 years in treating HIV. Even though there is no cure, with proper medication, an HIV patient can live a long, normal life. The key is getting tested so that a positive diagnosis can be treated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this year alone, an estimated 56,300 people will be infected with HIV in the United States. Even though blacks make up only 13% of the U.S. population, they account for 45% of newly diagnosed HIV cases. Black men are six times as likely to be infected with the disease as white men; three times as likely as Hispanic men; and twice as likely as black women. Studies by WomensHealth.gov show that 1 out of 4 Americans with HIV are women.
More shocking than all that, is the statistic that states 1 person out of 5 of the more than one million people living with HIV is unaware of his or her infection. In fact, a person can have this disease and still feel healthy. Therefore, the only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested!
In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, BlackWomensHealth encourages you to take a moment to get educated about HIV/AIDS. Even though treatment advances over the years have decreased the mortality rate among patients of this disease, do not become complacent. Do not falsely believe that HIV is no longer a serious health threat to our nation’s population.
Here are some Pryor Considerations that will help keep you healthy:
- It is recommended that teens and adults between the ages of 13 and 64 get HIV tested
- Practice safer sex
- Use protection during all kinds of sexual contact – HIV is not only a threat with penile-vaginal sex, but also with oral and anal sex
- Engage in monogamous relationships
- Talk openly with your partner about your concerns, protection and even testing
- Don’t abuse alcohol and drugs, which can promote sexual risk-taking or put you at greater risk of sexual assault
- You are at greater risk for HIV if you:
- Have unprotected sex (sex without a condom) with someone who might have HIV
- Have sex with men who have sex with men
- Use drugs with needles
- Have a sex partner who is HIV-positive
- Have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
To find an HIV testing location near you, text your zip code to KNOWIT (566948) or use this online locator (http://aids.gov/locator/).
Keep checking out our site, as we update information regularly to keep you informed in order to keep you healthy.
Yours, for a healthier, happier and more energized lifestyle,
Dr. Dave
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