HIV DAY_Symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and what the day is all about

A hand made beaded AIDS symbol in the hands of a black man 

It is thought that more than 100,000 people are living with HIV in the UK.

But despite the vast improvements in treatment, having a HIV diagnosis still means an increased likelihood of living in poverty, poor mental health and limits to opportunities preventing people living full, happy lives.

A lot of this is due to continued ignorance and discrimination against those with HIV infections and a lack of understanding.

That’s part of what World AIDS Day is all about – raising awareness to reverse that trend.

Here is everything you need to know about the date and the disease.

When is World AIDS Day 2017?

A man has his head painted with ‘AIDS Day’

World AIDS Day is held on December 1 each year. This year, that is on a Friday.
What is World AIDS Day all about?

This year there are three main targets to the day – to end isolation, stigma and HIV transmission.

Work to significantly reduce the number of those contracting HIV is finally starting to see some results with the number of HIV diagnoses for gay men in London finally reducing in the UK. This is thought to be due to awareness for frequent testing, rapid treatment and PrEP.

Now the aim is to go even further to include a reduction in HIV in everyone and not just in the UK.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDs?

HIV is the name of the virus. A person could become HIV positive, but never develop symptoms.

If the virus isn’t treated and they do become ill, the condition is known as AIDS, which stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

If someone has AIDS, their immune system is weakened so they become more seriously affected by ordinary germs like coughs and colds, so badly that they can develop into things like pneumonia.

Someone with AIDS has to have the HIV virus, but someone with HIV doesn’t have to have AIDS. It can now be treated with anti-retroviral drugs, available on the NHS.

These can reduce the levels of the virus in the blood to such low levels that they are not detectable, and cannot be passed on to somebody else.
What can I do to help?

There are several ways to raise awareness of HIV and AIDs today.

That includes fundraising for the National AIDs Trust, raising awareness through education (packs can be downloaded online here), and taking part in the #LetsEndIt social media campaign.

That and wearing a red ribbon of course.