Vigil marks World AIDS Day

In the US, about 1.2 million people are living with HIV. He said anyone who thinks they might have been exposed to HIV should get tested.

Health Minister J.P. Nadda said late Tuesday the government was committed to combatting HIV-AIDS and that the federal government would resume fully funding India’s National AIDS Control Program.

“I hate to even use the term AIDS”, said Dr. Peter Gulick with Ingham Community Health Centers.

“There is excitement around World AIDS Day now because things are changing; it a day to take big forward steps as well as remember our past”. Modelling suggests that meeting 90-90-90 targets by 2020 may decrease AIDS incidence, AIDS-related deaths, and new infections by 90 per cent by 2030, according to Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, he informed. As in her case, if the virus is left undetected and untreated, the person can develop AIDS, a disease that weakens the immune system.

Here in the Wabash Valley, the group Quest’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, and support people who are living with it. Every year, Quest pays tribute to World Aids Day, by hosting a memorial service. “At the same time, increasingly effective prevention efforts have reduced numbers of new HIV infections”, Dr Chan stated.

Millions of people around the world are infected with the HIV virus…which causes aids.

“I’m open about it at work and I’m open about it to my friends”, said Christopher Hetzer, who tested HIV-positive a year ago.

While new cases of HIV/AIDS in the state are falling, officials emphasize the importance of getting screened and taking preventative methods.