World AIDS Day

As December 1st hits chances are that you will open up your advent calendar and start digging out that box of decorations as the festive season well and truly begins (partridge in a pear tree and all that). However, December 1st also marks a much more serious occasion that directly concerns the 80,000 people living with HIV in the United Kingdom.

First a few facts – the date raises awareness over HIV and AIDS, and the differences between them. HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, whereas a person has contracted AIDS when their immune system can no longer fight off an illnesses. New research into the disease has found that between 70 – 90% of people may experience three symptoms occurring at the same time that happen a few days after catching the infection. These are a fever, a rash and a serve sore throat. These will disappear within two – three weeks. However, some people experience no symptoms at all.

This years UK theme for World AIDS Day is Respect and Protect, and hopes to inspire individuals not to treat people living with HIV any differently than anyone else. It also hopes to get people to respect themselves and others by practising safe sex. With so many adverts raising awareness for sexual diseases the threat of HIV and AIDS has become less prominent and has creped into the back of people’s minds. It has almost become the pink elephant in the room. The day also wants to encourage people to learn the facts of HIV and AIDS, and spread the Respect and Protect message.

So what can you do help? There are events up and down the country in which you can learn more about the diseases. However, just by doing some Christmas shopping you can help make a difference. Many companies are involved in the “Red Campaign” that helps to raise money to fight the AIDS fight in Africa. Look out for the Red Products in Starbucks, Gap and Emporio Armani. Of course there are also limited edition Red products up for grabs by Converse and Apple.

Just remember though that HIV and AIDS is a worldwide problem and there are still 7000 cases of HIV diagnosed every year in the UK alone. So go out and purchase the red ribbon. There’s no excuse with Mac, Selfridges, Gap, H&M, Levi and the British Red Cross all taking part.

So get out there and wear that red ribbon with pride.