Be silent no longer about AIDS, HIV

Can you tell someone is HIV positive by looking at them? What do they look like? How do they act?

Human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS, is on the rise. There is no cure for HIV or AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, but if detected early, treatment can keep the virus under control and the immune system healthy.

About 33 million people are living with HIV worldwide and there were 2.7 million new cases this year alone.

People can become infected with the virus by sharing intravenous needles or through intimate relations. A mother may pass the virus on to her unborn child. It is also transferred by blood transfusions.

So what? What does HIV or AIDS have to do with me you may be asking? Why should I care?

We all know someone who is either living with HIV or AIDS. We should care because it is a preventable disease.

We must work within the arenas of the political, social and religious groups to break down the stigma surrounding those living with the virus. We need to help safeguard countless billions with an education on how to stay HIV negative based in fact.

Dec. 1 was International World AIDS Day. You may see blurbs here or there on the television screen, in major newspapers and people wearing red ribbons.

So what can be done on the local level? Decide not to discriminate against those affected. Demand HIV education awareness programs.

Information can be obtained about this health issue at our local university health center. Resources are available for HIV counseling with private and public health practitioners.

As divisive as the issue may be for sex education vs. abstinence rings and programs, studies show teens are ill-informed and ignorant to the issue.

What has happened has been a breakdown in family, education, politics, etc. So to say that it is only the parents' job or the health care professionals' has led to the virus rising among teens, and according to the Centers for Disease Control the South is most prevalent in new cases.

Parents share responsibility of giving the knowledge along with educators, health professionals and even our religious and political leaders.

If you are unsure if you have the virus, you should get tested. Young people, especially, fear being ostracized and don't want to know. It's your responsibility to make sure you don't pass the virus on to someone else. Lack of knowing is no excuse.

To take advantage of the educational programs on campus, check out the Student Health Center. It offers a variety of programs with confidential health education classes available to students.

This facility and its professionals know how to guide individuals through the process of testing at health care stations. If you are still ashamed, you shouldn't be. You may purchase online home testing kits that are sent in anonymously.

So tell a friend, speak to your parents or your religious leader and just get the word out about HIV and AIDS. We have enjoyed the silence far too long.