Aids Awareness Campaign

What Is AIDS? What Is HIV?

AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The illness alters the immune system, making people much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. This susceptibility worsens as the disease progresses.

HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person (semen and vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk). The virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy, delivering the baby during childbirth, and through breast feeding.

HIV can be transmitted in many ways, such as vaginal, oral sex, anal sex, blood transfusion, and contaminated hypodermic needles.

Both the virus and the disease are often referred to together as HIV/AIDS. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. As a result, some will then develop AIDS. The development of numerous opportunistic infections in an AIDS patient can ultimately lead to death.

According to research, the origins of HIV date back to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century in west-central Africa. AIDS and its cause, HIV, were first identified and recognized in the early 1980s.

There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS. Treatments can slow the course of the disease - some infected people can live a long and relatively healthy life.

 

                         

               Estimated HIV/AIDS prevalence among young adults (15-49) by country as of 2008. UNAIDS 2008 report

 

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the virus which attacks the T-cells in the immune system.

AIDS is the syndrome which appears in advanced stages of HIV infection.

HIV is a virus.

AIDS is a medical condition.

HIV infection causes AIDS to develop. However, it is possible to be infected with HIV without developing AIDS. Without treatment, the HIV infection is allowed to progress and eventually it will develop into AIDS in the vast majority of cases.

HIV testing can identify infection in the early stages. This allows the patient to use prophylactic (preventive) drugs which will slow the rate at which the virus replicates, delaying the onset of AIDS.

AIDS patients still have the HIV virus and are still infectious. Someone with AIDS can pass HIV to someone else.

                                   

 

What are the signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS?

What is the difference between a sign and a symptom? A sign is something other people, apart from the patient can detect, such as a swelling, rash, or change in skin colour. A symptom is something only the patient feels and describes, such as a headache, fatigue, or dizziness.

                                     

 

 

For the most part, the symptoms of HIV are the result of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. These conditions do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems, which protect the body against infection.


Signs and symptoms of early HIV infection

Many people with HIV have no symptoms for several years. Others may develop symptoms similar to flu, usually two to six weeks after catching the virus. The symptoms can last up to four weeks.

What causes HIV/AIDS?

HIV is a retrovirus that infects the vital organs of the human immune system. The disease progresses in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. The rate of disease progression varies widely between individuals and depends on many factors (age of the patient, body's ability to defend against HIV, access to health care, existence of coexisting infections, the infected person's genetic inheritance, resistance to certain strains of HIV).

 

HIV can be transmitted through:

Sexual transmission. It can happen when there is contact with infected sexual secretions (rectal, genital or oral mucous membranes). This can happen while having unprotected sex, including vaginal, oral and anal sex or sharing sex toys with someone infected with HIV.

Perinatal transmission. The mother can pass the infection on to her child during childbirth, pregnancy, and also through breastfeeding.

 

Blood transmission. The risk of transmitting HIV through blood transfusion is nowadays extremely low in developed countries, thanks to meticulous screening and precautions. Among drug users, sharing and reusing syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood is extremely hazardous.

Individuals who give and receive tattoos and piercings are also at risk and should be very careful.

Myths: There are many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. The virus CANNOT be transmitted from:

• shaking hands
• hugging
• casual kissing
• sneezing
• touching unbroken skin
• using the same toilet
• sharing towels,cutlery
• mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
• or other forms of "casual contact"

 

References: Nordqvist, C. "What Is AIDS? What Is HIV?." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/17131.php.

Sources: National Institutes of Health, National Health Service (UK), CDC, Wikipedia, FDA

 

 

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS?

Unless you are 100% sure that you and the people you are with do not have HIV infection, you should take steps to prevent getting infected. People recently infected (within the past 2 or 3months) are most likely to transmit HIV to others. This is when theirviral load is the highest. In general, the risk of transmission ishigher with higher viral loads. This fact sheet provides an overview ofHIV prevention, and refers you to other fact sheets for more details on specific topics.

 

 

Sexual Activity

You can avoid any risk of HIV if you practice abstinence (not having sex). You also won’t get infected if your penis, mouth, vagina or rectum doesn’t touch anyone else’s penis, mouth, vagina, or rectum. Safe activities include kissing, erotic massage, masturbation or hand jobs (mutual masturbation). There are no documented cases of HIV transmission through wet clothing.

Having sex in a monogamous (faithful) relationship is safe if:

 

• Both of you are uninfected (HIV-negative)
• You both have sex only with your partner
• Neither one of you gets exposed to HIV through drug use or other activities

Oral sex has a lower risk of infection than anal or vaginal sex, especially if there are no open sores or blood in the mouth.

You can reduce the risk of infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases by using barriers like condoms. Traditional condoms go on the penis, and a new type of condom goes in the vagina or in the rectum.

Some chemicals called spermicides can prevent pregnancy but they don’t prevent HIV. They might even increase your risk of getting infected if they cause irritation or swelling.

 

 

Vertical Transmission

With no treatment, about 25% of the babies of HIV-infected womenwould be born infected. The risk drops to about 4% if a woman takes AZTduring pregnancy and delivery, and her newborn is given AZT. The riskis 2% or less if the mother is taking combination antiretroviral therapy(ART). Caesarean section deliveries probably don’t reduce transmissionrisk if the mother’s viral load is below 1000.

Babies can get infected if they drink breast milk from an HIV-infected woman. Women with HIV should use baby formulas or breast milk from a woman who is not infected to feed their babies.

 

 

Contact with Blood

HIV is one of many diseases that can be transmitted by blood. Be careful if you are helping someone who is bleeding. If your work exposes you to blood, be sure to protect any cuts or open sores on your skin, as well as your eyes and mouth. Your employer should provide gloves, facemasks and other protective equipment, plus training about how to avoid diseases that are spread by blood.

 

 

Being diagnosed with HIV can be very distressing, and feelings of anxiety or depression are common. If you feel anxious or have symptoms of depression, seek medical help immediately.

References: STOPPING THE SPREAD OF HIV.
           
           Retrieved from:  http://www.aids.org/topics/aids-factsheets/aids-background-information/what-is-aids/stopping-the-spread-of-hiv/

 

 

 

World AIDS Day

 

 World AIDS Day was first conceived in August 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the [World Health Organization] in Geneva, Switzerland. Bunn and Netter took their idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann liked the concept, approved it, and agreed with the recommendation that the first observance of World AIDS Day should be 1 December 1988.

Bunn, a broadcast journalist on a leave-of-absence from his reporting duties at KPIX-TV in San Francisco, recommended the date of 1 December believing it would maximize coverage by western news media. Since 1988 was an election year in the U.S., Bunn suggested that media outlets would be weary of their post-election coverage and eager to find a fresh story to cover. Bunn and Netter determined that 1 December was long enough after the election and soon enough before the Christmas holidays that it was, in effect, a dead spot in the news calendar and thus perfect timing for World AIDS Day.

In its first two years, the theme of World AIDS Day focused on children and young people. These themes were strongly criticized at the time for ignoring the fact that people of all ages may become infected with HIV and suffer from AIDS. But the themes drew attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, helped alleviate some of the stigma surrounding the disease, and helped boost recognition of the problem as a family disease. In 2004, the World AIDS Campaign became an independent organization.  

 

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away, there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

 

Red Ribbon

The symbol of AIDS Awareness

 

The Red Ribbon is the global symbol for solidarity with HIV positive and people living with AIDS, and it unites the people in the common fight against this disease.

The Red Ribbon is a symbol of love, passion and tolerance towards those affected. Red, it’s the colour of blood, representing the pain caused by the many people that died of AIDS. Red, it’s also the colour of passion about the helplessness by which we are facing a disease for which there is still no chance for a cure. The red is a sign of warning not to carelessly ignore one of the biggest problems of our time. The idea of using ribbon is from how the American willing to express their support for the soldier by putting up yellow ribbon during the Gulf War.

World Health Organization

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

WHO is reforming to be better equipped to address the increasingly complex challenges of the health of populations in the 21st century. From persisting problems to new and emerging public health threats, WHO needs to be flexible enough to respond to this evolving environment. In the 21st century, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care and collective defence against transnational threats.

Partners of AIDS Awareness Campaign in Malaysia

 

Ministry of Health (MoH)

The MoH builds partnerships for health to facilitate and support the people in Malaysia to attain good health and enjoy a better quality of life. UNICEF has worked with the MoH since 1954 in child and maternal health and nutrition. Today, UNICEF supports the MoH response to HIV/AIDS and health programs for marginalised and vulnerable children. 

 

AIDS/STD Section, Ministry of Health 

Based on public health principles, the AIDS/STD Section strives to create a community free from HIV/AIDS and other STDs. The Section was established in 1993 as a result of restructuring of the Disease Control Division and Department of Public Health. Currently there are 3 units under the Section namely prevention and health promotion, surveillance and care. The Section serves as a coordinating body, a funder, a program and service manager, an information centre, and an advocate for other agencies, Government and non-government, in combating AIDS/STD. UNICEF works with the AIDS/STD Section to provide policy level support for the National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS 2006-2010 and for high-level transfer of know-how on the setting up and management of surveillance and monitoring systems for HIV/AIDS as well as on harm reduction.

 

PROSTAR Program, Ministry of Health 

PROSTAR is the abbreviation for “Program Sihat Tanpa AIDS untuk Remaja” (Healthy Program without AIDS for Youth). This program was introduced by the Ministry of Health in 1996 in its efforts towards solving the AIDS problem amongst youth. The program, which has the theme, ‘Action by Youth, for Youth and Through Youth’ uses peer education to disseminate messages. Since 2004, UNICEF partners with PROSTAR clubs in 6 districts in Kedah state to provide outreach services to out-of-school youth.

 

Institute of Health Management (IHM), Ministry of Health 

IHM was established by the Ministry of Health in 2000 for the purpose of training, research and consultancy in health management. It is one of seven Institutes under the Government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Institute recently achieved MS ISO 9001:2000, Cofrac (France) and UKAS (UK) certifications for all its core businesses.  In 2005, UNICEF in Malaysia partnered with IHM to create the IHM-UNICEF Collaborative Centre for Health Policy, Enhancement and Appraisal. The IHM-UNICEF Collaborative Centre will undertake, amongst others, a review of Malaysia’s prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV program and a study on children orphaned by AIDS in Malaysia.

 

Ministry of Education (MoE)  

MoE is responsible for the development of a world class quality education system which will realize the full potential of the individual and fulfil the aspiration of all Malaysians. The MoE ensures that all children in Malaysia have equal education opportunities. UNICEF will work with the MOE to introduce life-skills based education and emergency preparedness for school-going children as well as remedial education for Malaysia’s Orang Aslichildren.

Curriculum Development Centre, Ministry of Education 

The CDC, which was established as a Division in the Ministry of Education in 1974, is responsible for developing the national school curriculum in line with the National Education Philosophy. The New Primary School Curriculum in 1982 and the Integrated Curriculum for Secondary School in 1988 are among the Division’s major achievements. CDC and UNICEF will work together to develop a HIV/AIDS Life-Skills Based Education module which is expected to be rolled out nationwide as well as special remedial education programs for Malaysia’s Orang Asli and other indigenous children.

• NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGO)

AIESEC Malaysia 

Present in over 800 universities in over 90 countries and territories, AIESEC, the world's largest student organisation, is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential so as to have a positive impact in society. In Malaysia, AIESEC provides young people a space to work on issues like HIV and AIDS with the aim to educate and increase awareness amongst young people; to influence behavioral change amongst students; and to promote healthy living and meaningful life that will result in a reduction in the number of young people involved in risky behaviors. In partnership with UNICEF and the Football Association of Malaysia, AIESEC youth are taking a proactive role to educate teenage footballers from the FAM "First Touch Football Program" about HIV and AIDS.

• CELEBRITIES 

3R TV Hosts & UNICEF Malaysia Goodwill Ambassadors – Celina, Kartini & Rafidah 

3R is a television program created specially to recognize the importance of women’s role in society and their ability to challenge and change the conditions in their lives and communities. It brings issues of importance, relevance and concern to young women between the ages of 16 to 27. 3R's dynamic trio works with UNICEF to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS through their TV program; newspaper articles; as well as at special events such as "Keep the Music Clean" and the "3R-UNICEF All Women’s Futsal Playoffs". The TV hosts also support UNICEF’s efforts to provide education and training to young broadcasters on how to report about drugs and HIV/AIDS and participated in the regional launch of the Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign in Bangkok, Thailand.

• CORPORATES 

Astro All Asia Networks Plc 

ASTRO is the region’s leading cross-media operator with direct-to-home satellite television services in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The TV service currently broadcasts 55 channels and operates eight FM terrestrial radio stations in Malaysia. ASTRO supports UNICEF in Malaysia by providing free airtime on both its TV and radio channels for the Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign public service announcements.

Don’t Panic Malaysia

Established in the UK around 7 years ago, Don't Panic is today found in 13 cities in 7 countries as an alternative youth marketing vehicle. Located at youth touch-points in the Klang Valley, including clubs and music events, Don’t Panic provides a unique way for youth in Malaysia to obtain information on lifestyle issues that affect their world. In 2007, Don’t Panic and UNICEF Malaysia are working in partnership to highlight anti-drug messages using the special Don’t Panic goodie bags to reach out to approximately 50,000 youth in the country. The service is sponsored by Don’t Panic in support of UNICEF’s Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign.

 

Eclipse

Eclipse, founded by renown Malaysian veteran fashion designer Sonny San in 1996, focuses on a women's ready-to-wear line, accessories and footwear. In 2006, Eclipse initiated “Designed for eclipse, Designers unite for UNICEF” in conjunction with its 10th Anniversary celebrations. The three month fundraising and communication program reached out to at least 2 million people in Malaysia with information on children and AIDS while raising RM 150,000 in support of UNICEF’s Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign in Malaysia. In 2007, Sonny San and his team at Eclipse continue to provide their professional support to UNICEF. 

Grey Malaysia

Grey Global Group provides direct marketing, branding, public relations, interactive, advertising and promotional communication services through its subsidiaries which include Grey Worldwide, G2, GCI Group and Grey Healthcare Group. In Malaysia, Grey provides UNICEF with pro bono services which include strategic communication advice and design for printed and promotional materials. Amongst others, these include support for the Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign, the “Keep the Music Clean” campaign as well as development of the anti-drug website for young people titled “whatareyoudoing.net”.
 
           Retrieved fromhttp://www.unicef.org/malaysia/hiv_aids_4188.html.

 
 

Conclusion

HIV/AIDS is a world epidemic. Although we are making new advances in combating this virus, there are many new infrections every year. The best way to keep yourself safe is to stay informed. You should know what how it spreads and how to prevent it. You should take a HIV/AIDS test if you are involved in any risky behaviors. You should tell others the importance of getting tested and prevention. There is no cure for this virus, so there is no room for ignorance on this matter. HIV/AIDS is not the death sentence that it was 30 years ago. People are living longer lives with the virus than they ever have before. Whether you are positive or negative, please take the time to learn more about HIV/AIDS and pass that information on to others. It is never too late.