WORLD AIDS DAY - DECEMBER 1 Get the Facts

The Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC) is urging all Victorians to show they care on World AIDS Day this Wednesday 1 December by getting the facts about HIV and wearing a red ribbon to show their support for people living with HIV.
1 December is recognised internationally as World AIDS Day to raise awareness in the community about HIV and AIDS issues, including the need for support and understanding for people living with HIV (PLHIV), and the need for the development and implementation of education and prevention resources and activities.
The theme for 2010 in Victoria is “World AIDS Day – Get the Facts”. “This theme acknowledges that more than 25 years into the HIV epidemic in Australia, HIV remains a communicable disease but also a preventable disease”, Mike Kennedy, the Executive Director at the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre, said today.
“World AIDS Day provides an opportunity to reinforce the safe sex messages that remain our best weapon against HIV infection”, Mr Kennedy said. Safe sex is using condoms and water-based lubricants as well as a range of other things you can do during sex to help reduce the risk of catching or passing on HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) or STIs (sexually transmitted infections). The most common way HIV and STIs are passed on is through vaginal or anal sex without a condom. However, while condoms (used correctly with water-based lubricants) provide excellent protection against HIV, they protect only partially against other STIs, so regular STI testing is an important part of a personal sexual health plan. HIV and other infections such as hepatitis can be passed on through sharing injecting equipment. It is extremely risky to share needles, syringes and other injecting equipment. The safest way to avoid infections is to not inject drugs. People who inject drugs should always use sterile needles, syringes and equipment. Mike Kennedy urged anyone who thinks they are at risk, or might have been exposed to HIV, to get tested for HIV and STIs at their local doctor or sexual health centre, and know their status.
“HIV and STIs are preventable conditions. Sexual and injecting drug use behaviour
can change as a result of targeted and effective prevention programs, and these
changes can contain HIV infections," Mr Kennedy said.”
“This World AIDS Day we are asking you to get the facts so that you can protect
yourself and your partners and help us fight the stigma and discrimination that are
still part of the lives of many people living with HIV”, Mr Kennedy said.
“The current levels of stigma and discrimination faced by PLHIV are unacceptable
and World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us to commit to improving the
human rights of PLHIV in Victoria”, he said.
World AIDS Day gives the entire community an opportunity to show that they care.
HIV/AIDS is everybody's problem and together, we can make a difference.