01/12/2025
โ๐๐๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ: ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฒโ
Every year on December 1, the world comes together to commemorate "๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐ (WAD)" โ a global reminder of our shared responsibility to understand HIV/AIDS, break the stigma surrounding it, and help end the epidemic through awareness and compassion. More than a symbolic observance, it is a call to action: to educate, advocate, and stand in solidarity with people living with HIV.
Despite the continuous progress of society, HIV/AIDS remains one of the most misunderstood and heavily stigmatized topics. It is often spoken about in whispers, overlooked in discussions, and clouded by misconceptions. One of the most common questions is whether HIV/AIDS is contagious. The answer is both yes and no.
According to Dr. Ameer Hussien Abbas, MPH, during his HIV Awareness Symposium at KFCIAAS, HIV is indeed contagious โ but only through specific modes of transmission. He clarified that HIV cannot be transmitted through shaking hands, hugging, sharing utensils, or any form of air or casual contact. The virus is transmitted exclusively through unprotected sexual in*******se, the sharing of needles or syringes, mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, and other situations involving direct blood-to-blood contact.
It is equally important to distinguish HIV from AIDS. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that attacks the bodyโs immune system. If left untreated, HIV can progress into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is recognized as the most advanced and critical stage of the infection (World Health Organization, 2025). This progression underscores the need for early testing, proper treatment, and continuous awareness.
At present, there is no known cure for HIV. However, the condition is treatable, manageable, and controllable through antiretroviral therapy (ART). With consistent treatment, individuals living with HIV can lead long, healthy, and fulfilling lives. This truth is often overshadowed by fear, misinformation, and silence โ making education and awareness crucial in changing public perceptions.
As human beings and members of society, our greatest responsibility is to educate and be educated. People living with HIV/AIDS are human beings โ deserving of respect, compassion, and understanding. Ending stigma begins with replacing fear with knowledge and judgment with empathy.
Let this yearโs World AIDS Day remind us of a truth that must be reaffirmed: ๐๐๐ฉ ๐ถ๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ต ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ. It is a medical condition, not a moral failure. And with awareness, compassion, and continued advocacy, we move closer to a world free from stigma and discrimination.
Writer & Lay-out | Miernys Leah Puod