WORLD AIDS DAY

HIV/AIDS is still the greatest humanitarian crisis of all time, killing millions every year, and leaving millions of orphaned and vulnerable children behind. ~Kay Warren

I am spending today as an HIV tester and counselor for the first time today. Although I am a bit apprehensive (What if I say something stupid? What if I don't know the answer? What if I do something wrong?) I'm choosing to jump in and help to educate and provide support to a cause that is very close to my heart.

There are 33.4 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS. Something must be done. It starts with you and me.

Below are 10 common myths surrounding HIV/AIDS

1. HIV/AIDS is mostly a disease of homosexual men.Primarily spread by heterosexual sex, HIV/AIDS now infects as many women as men worldwide. Although the disease was first recognized in the United States among gay men, it is also significantly spread among IV drug users. Internationally, it is more often a disease of heterosexuals.

2. HIV/AIDS is mostly an African problem.Found in every country in the world, HIV infections are growing most rapidly in countries outside of Africa, including India and Russia. Many African countries have been decimated by HIV/AIDS, but the impact is also significant in Asia, Eastern Europe, and India.

3. HIV/AIDS spreads mostly because of poor moral choices. Women are often infected by their husbands. Children most often contract HIV by being born to HIV+ mothers. It isn’t helpful or meaningful to determine who is at fault or who is an innocent victim.

4. Plenty of money is being spent on fighting HIV/AIDS.While a great deal of money is being spent by governments, private organizations, and individuals to fight HIV/AIDS, much more is needed.

5. HIV/AIDS is no longer a problem in the United States.Because medications (Antiretrovirals or ARVs) are widely available in the United States, the death rate has decreased. But the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States has not decreased and the rate of new infections is not declining.

6. ARVs are widely available.While antiretrovirals are becoming more available, they are still difficult to find in many rural areas and in some countries. Both drugs and systems to distribute them are needed in many poor countries.

7. A cure exists for HIV/AIDS.While there are treatments to prolong life, there is no cure. Many scientists are working on a cure but few believe there will ever be one way to effectively cure someone because the virus constantly changes.

8. There is no hope for those with HIV/AIDS.Great progress is being made in treatments and the rate of infant infection in some countries is dropping rapidly. There is also a dropping rate of new infections in many countries with strong prevention programs. The Church provides hope as it increasingly becomes engaged.

9. If I’m not HIV+, the disease doesn’t affect me.The high rate of HIV/AIDS infections is causing instability in many countries and reversing the progress made in development. It is also causing a worldwide tuberculosis pandemic. Every church is affected. A pandemic affects everyone even if not immediately recognized.

10. There’s nothing I can do.Everyone can do something. First, become educated. Then help teach others in your church, school, and community. Begin to care and pray about how you and your church can become involved. Begin to give yourself and your resources to stopping the spread of AIDS by caring for orphans and those infected and affected by this terrible pandemic.