SARASOTA – Since the first diagnosis in 1981, nearly 40 million people have died from HIV/AIDS Worldwide.
Human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. HIV can be transmitted sexually, through blood transfusions, breastmilk or through perinatal transmission.
“The topic of HIV and how it is transmitted is very stigmatized and throughout time part of our mission here at CAN is to hopefully help de-stigmatize the virus and get it in normal conversations with folks so we do that by talking about it at pride events, in the community and we also invite people in for our services, we do free STI testing and we also offer free HIV testing at that time to get the conversation started,” said Clinical Research Coordinator at CAN Community Health, Jamey Paul.
HIV transmission does not see gender, race or sexual orientation
“Often time’s people think that HIV is a virus that can only be transmitted through gay men, which is false, it can be sexually transmitted so people who are engaging in sexual intercourse, can get HIV so a lot of our talk about stigma here at CAN involves conversations around who is more at risk and how they can protect themselves in the future,” said Paul.
While combatting the stigma behind HIV is a top priority for CAN, educating those in the community is vital as well
“We get a lot of the younger crowds, 18, 19, 20 year old’s come in and they’re like does AIDS still exist?,” said Prevention Team Lead at CAN Community Health, Jose Marrero.
“We try to get the word out to the younger generation that it does exist, it’s out there and it’s at a higher rate than all times between HIV, syphilis and other STDs,” said Marrero.
The good news, is HIV is no longer a death sentence
“There used to be concoctions of medications where people would take dozens of pills at a time now they’re are simplified regimens for folks including there are some drugs that are injectable now which is awesome because people don’t have to take medication every single day they can come in every single month of however it is to get the injection which helps with the stigma and people aren’t reminded every morning when they take their medication about their status,” said Paul.
Stay tuned to SNN this week, as we continue our coverage of World Aids Day to help dismantle the stigma surrounding HIV.
