| It is three decades since the discovery of the HIV | | | | HIV / AIDS spreads through mosquito and bug bites, |
| virus but we are still lacking information about HIV / | | | | air, saliva and touch. It is a very important piece of |
| AIDS. According to UN AIDS estimates, there are | | | | information about HIV / AIDS that it is not spread |
| now 33.2 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 | | | | through mosquito and bug bites, air, saliva and touch. |
| million children. Although there is no foolproof cure or | | | | Promiscuous men and women have largely been held |
| vaccine for HIV virus, the International AIDS Vaccine | | | | responsible for fuelling the HIV /AIDS epidemic in the |
| Initiative (IAVI) will ensure that medicines are | | | | world. Stigma towards HIV-positive people needs to |
| available at an affordable cost even in third world | | | | be countered if the threat of HIV /AIDS is to be |
| countries. The search for the vaccine for AIDS | | | | overcome. Stigma is hard to track and its impact |
| remains the challenge for the world today. | | | | even harder to measure. Those vulnerable to and |
| Let us delve into some more information about HIV | | | | experiencing social stigma and discrimination will be |
| AIDS. What is causing the spread of the infection? | | | | puzzled if they were told that awareness and |
| Ignorance. One in three youngsters in the world are | | | | knowledge about HIV/AIDS is higher than |
| still ignorant about how the infection spreads. We | | | | before.Awareness is not translating into tolerance or |
| have to wake up to the harsh reality of the epidemic | | | | a shedding of stigma. The good information about |
| and the world's leaders must demonstrate real | | | | HIV / AIDS is that the number of people contracting |
| commitment to keep their promise. We cannot wait | | | | HIV infection is dropping worldwide. |
| another quarter of a century for a vaccine. The need | | | | Protection against HIV/AIDS and preventing its |
| of the hour is the four Ms-motivation, money, | | | | spread is certainly a key message, but protection |
| medicines and manpower. | | | | using stigma and alienation will go nowhere. It is |
| Let me burst the bubble on some common myths | | | | always challenging to fight for legislation and better |
| about HIV /AIDS. | | | | policy outcomes. Certain states have law against |
| Blood donation can cause HIV infection. People today | | | | discrimination of HIV-positive children in schools. But |
| are afraid of donating blood. HIV does not spread | | | | laws and policies cannot be substitutes for a humane |
| through donation of blood, as hospitals and blood | | | | approach. |
| banks use disposable syringes. Another myth is that | | | | |