Three days ago was World AIDS Day and the whole world was bringing awareness, celebrating where we have come and remembering those we have lost. HIV is affecting us all and we need to make sure that we have an AIDS-free generation.
What does it take? It takes everyone to come together to end stigma, getting tested regularly (twice a year is preferred) and using condoms with partners. Also, if you are HIV positive, it is important to get treatment to lower your viral load and that means lowering the amount of the HIV virus in your system. Once you get treatment, you have to stay in care.
Many youth may not think HIV does not affect them but it does. 1 in 4 people who get newly infected with HIV are youth aged 13-24. In 2010, about 12,000 young people, or about 1,000 per month, were infected with HIV. We have to get out there and start educating more youth. Also, to all the youth out there, please know that you are not invisible as you think you are so please be safe and use condoms with your partners.
Let’s make this generation HIV/AIDS free!
