Subscribe via RSS Feed

World AIDS Day

[ 8 ] 12/01/2009 |

It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in my life, distracted by children and chores and exercising and the like.

It is very easy for me to go WEEKS without watching the news.  I spend a lot of time in the car, which would be a perfect time to catch up on the news, EXCEPT I almost always have children with me and they enjoy listening to their kiddie music.  Unfortunately, I rarely slow down long enough to read the major headlines and to even give a glance to what is going on around me.  Shame on me.

I admit, I know this is wrong and I should make the time to KNOW what is going on not only in the US, but around the world.

Today is World Aids Day.

Did You Know……

  • Between 1884 and 1924, somewhere near modern-day Kinshasa in West Central Africa, a hunter kills a chimpanzee. Some of the animal’s blood enters the hunter’s body, possibly through an open wound. The blood carries a virus harmless to the chimp but lethal to humans: HIV.  The virus spreads as colonial cities sprout up, but deaths are blamed on other causes.
  • Not until 1986 does everybody agree to call the virus HIV: human immunodeficiency virus.
  • AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV/AIDS weakens a person’s ability to fight infections and cancer. HIV transmission can occur with unprotected sex or with needle sharing. Symptoms of HIV vary widely. A person may have HIV symptoms or AIDS symptoms without knowing it until they get HIV testing. There is no HIV cure at this time although medications can delay the onset of AIDS.
  • AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since 1981?
  • 1.1 million Americans are among the 33 million people now living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
  • In 1989, scientists find that even before AIDS symptoms develop, HIV replicates wildly in the blood. The goal of treatment shifts to keeping HIV at low levels.
  • In 1991- 1992, the red ribbon is introduced as a symbol of AIDS solidarity.  AIDS becomes the leading cause of death in U.S. men aged 25-44.
  • In 2006-2007, HIV treatment is shown to extend life by 24 years, at a cost of $618,900.
  • Of the 33 million people now living with HIV, 3 million are getting treatment. That’s less than a third of those who need immediate treatment.

So yeah, at first, I considered not even sharing this information.  I wondered briefly if anyone would take offense to reading about AIDS here at Shrinking Jeans.  Then I thought, I have to share this.  I am sure there are others out there reading this who want to be in the know, or at least up to date with what is going on in the world.

I need to pop the bubble I am living in and get with the program.  A world DOES exist outside of me, my children, and the life we have.

Source: WebMd Slideshow, WebMd HiV & AIDS Health Center

Around 1900, a hunter got the AIDS virus from a Pan troglodytes chimpanzee.

Tags:

Category: Lisa

About lisa: I'm a runner, duathlete and future triathlete. I love to cook, drink margaritas, socialize with friends, and I laugh with my entire body. I'm the mother of three kids (ages 8, 6 and 3.5), I turn 40 years old in 2012, and I'm trying to find a peaceful acceptance with my body. I am slowly coming into my own, finding a true passion with empowering and motivating women to conquer their fear of the unknown when taking up running for the first time. View author profile.

  • BrookeF

    as the wife of a hemophilliac – i choose to take this day to be thankful for the medical care my husband has received.

    If any of you remember the Ryan White story, he received the blood treatment that infected him with HIV around the same time my husband was diagnosed with hemophillia.

    i owe a big thanks to Jay's parents, because from the very beginning they refused to allow him to receive human blood (he receives a synthetic factor).

    Jay (and by default I) am very blessed to have had this sort of treatment. Blood screening in the early 80s just wasn't what it is today.

  • anng

    You aren't the only one who lives in her own world. I think alot of us stay at home moms get so wrapped up in the world in our own 4 walls that we forget to find out what's happening to everyone else. Thanks for the info and for bringing me out of my little world even if it's for a few minutes.

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    I do remember the Ryan White story and just like much of the world, as a young person, for the longest time, I was afraid of “catching” AIDS. Of course, as an adult, I understand it much better.

    I'm so glad Jay's parent made that huge decision for him. So much was unknown back then and typing “back then” makes me feel really old!

  • Lisa_ShrinkingJeans

    So true. I kinda like highlighting something that is going on around us, don't you? I always read SJ but don't always read the news : ).

  • elisabeth1979

    Thanks for posting this! I had just changed my status and profile pic on Facebook to reflect a Red Ribbon.

    I was fortunate to grow up in a family that allowed my sister and I to be surrounded by a diverse group of people…including those living with and directly affected by HIV and AIDS (we were theatre brats in NYC)…I returned to my hometown in Oklahoma as a 14 year old and was deeply saddened by the closed minded behavior that I witnessed just by wearing and red ribbon on my jacket every day. I even had a biology instructor make a comment that all of “those people” should be quaratined.

    I almost got expelled that day for being disrespectful and yelling at a teacher.

    He deserved it. =)

  • cleondann

    Thanks for this informative blog… this is too good. if you want 2 know about the origin of world aids day and aids world bibliography you can visit http://www.aidsworld.org/

    regards
    cleondann

  • cleondann

    Thanks for this informative blog… this is too good. if you want 2 know about the origin of world aids day and aids world bibliography you can visit http://www.aidsworld.org/

    regards
    cleondann

  • http://www.checkcity.com/ instant cash advance

    I never watch the news. I read the paper in the morning. Peruse is probably the better word. Never watch the news, though.