Do you know what HIV is and how it is transmitted? Do you know if you have it? Do you even know if you're at risk? As the Act Aware campaign has reminded us on the week of World Aids Day, knowledge of HIV is on the decline despite the fact it's very important for protecting yourself and your partner. So, what can we do?
Knowing the facts and informing others is part of the battle. You perhaps already know that Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the body's immune system. You may also know that a person with HIV is considered to have developed Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) when their immune system is so weak it can no longer fight off a range of diseases with which it would normally cope.
This is all well and good, but knowing how HIV spreads is perhaps the most valuable information you can obtain on the virus. HIV can be passed on through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal secretions or breast milk. The two most common ways HIV is passed on are through sex without a condom, or by sharing infected injecting drug equipment (e.g. needles or syringes).
Don't focus on the 'injecting drugs' part of that sentence either. Re-read the first part. Sex without a condom - have you done that lately? Are you likely to? You'd be surprised how many people try to avoid using condoms, for a whole host of reasons. However, unless you get tested with the regularity of a seasoned adult performer, going without a condom is actually a pretty risky thing to do.
Remember, there is no cure for HIV. Yes, treatment can keep the virus under control and people on HIV treatment can live a healthy active life, but surely it's better to be careful?
Although it's worth remembering that many people contract the HIV virus through no fault of their own - or via a simple mistake - and so there really shouldn't be any stigma attached to being HIV positive, stopping the spread of the virus is really important and we should all do our part. To protect yourself and others from HIV infection, HIV Aware recommends:
"Always use a condom when having vaginal or anal sex. You may also want to use a condom or dental dam during oral sex although the risk of transmission of HIV is much lower. You can get free condoms from a sexual health clinic, which you can locate at via the FPA website. Never share needles, syringes or any other injecting equipment."
Did you know that over a quarter of people with HIV in the UK don't even know they are infected? If you think you might be at risk, pop along to your nearest clinic and get tested. In the UK these tests are free and confidential, so not even your family doctor needs to know that you've been tested for sexually transmitted infections.
We can stop this. Stay safe, get tested.
Lori Smith is celebrating the end of her second year writing for BitchBuzz by writing about the same subject that she covered this time last year, and the year before. She hopes that one day it will no longer be necessary.