MONDAY DECEMBER 1st DECLARED WORLD AIDS DAY

(Newswire.net — November 30, 2014) Washington, DC —This Monday 1 December has been declared World AIDS Day and The White House will host an event at noon in observance.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2014 is ‘Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation’.

December 1st will draw people together from around the world in unity to pay homage to the millions of people presently living with HIV/AIDS, raise awareness of the global impact of HIV/AIDS, and to celebrate victories that are allowing more people to live longer and healthier lives.

While Ebola has taken centre stage of disease, HIV is the world’s leading infectious killer, with over 35 million people world wide are currently living with HIV/AIDS. Wold AIDS day will increase understanding AIDS epidemic globally and that the epidemic continues despite new hope in treatment.  Word wide implementation of the theme promotes action and sound policies to prevent HIV transmission and minimizes the epidemic impact on teenagers and young adults.

Anisa Ahmed from Avert International HIV & Aids Charity in the UK points out that the Aids epidemic is now increasing in people aged between 16 to 25 and over 50 years old. (www.avert.gov)

About 1 in 4 new HIV infections is amount youth ages of 13-24, and most of them do not know they are infected, are not getting treated and can pass unknowingly the virus on to others.  1 in 6 living with HIV and are unaware of their infection. (source: aids.gov)

More than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 7 (14%) are unaware of their infection.Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM^a), particularly young black/African American MSM, are most seriously affected by HIV. By race, blacks/African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV.

An estimated 13,834 people with an AIDS diagnosis died in 2011, and approximately 648,459 people in the United States with an AIDS diagnosis have overall³. The deaths of persons with an AIDS diagnosis can be due to any cause—that is, the death may or may not be related to AIDS (source:www aids.gov)

HIV Incidence (new infections): The estimated incidence of HIV has remained stable overall in recent years, at about 50,000 new HIV infections per year². Within the overall estimates, however, some groups are affected more than others. MSM continue to bear the greatest burden of HIV infection, and among races/ethnicities, African Americans continue to be disproportionately affected.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) of all races and ethnicities remain the population most profoundly affected by HIV.

In 2010, the estimated number of new HIV infections among MSM was 29,800, a significant 12% increase from the 26,700 new infections among MSM in 2008².

Although MSM represent about 4% of the male population in the United States⁴, in 2010, MSM accounted for 78% of new HIV infections among males and 63% of all new infections². MSM accounted for 54% of all people living with HIV infection in 2011, the most recent year these data are available¹.

In 2010, white MSM continued to account for the largest number of new HIV infections (11,200), by transmission category, followed closely by black MSM (10,600)².

The estimated number of new HIV infections was greatest among MSM in the youngest age group. In 2010, the greatest number of new HIV infections (4,800) among MSM occurred in young black/African American MSM aged 13–24. Young black MSM accounted for 45% of new HIV infections among black MSM and 55% of new HIV infections among young MSM overall².

Since the epidemic began, an estimated 306,885 MSM with an AIDS diagnosis have died, including an estimated 5,302 in 2011³. Blacks/African Americans continue to experience the most severe burden of HIV, compared with other races and ethnicities. Blacks represent approximately 12% of the U.S. population, but accounted for an estimated 44% of new HIV infections in 2010. They also accounted for 41% of people living with HIV infection in 2011^{1, 2}. Since the epidemic began, an estimated 265,812 blacks with an AIDS diagnosis have died, including an estimated 6,630 in 2011³. Unless the course of HIV in the United States changes, at some point in their lifetime, an estimated 1 in 16 black men and 1 in 32 black women will be diagnosed with HIV infection⁵.

Hispanics/Latinos are also disproportionately affected by HIV.

Hispanics/Latinos represented 16% of the population but accounted for 21% of new HIV infections in 2010². Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 20% of people living with HIV infection in 2011¹. (source gov.org)

Disparities persist in the estimated rate of new HIV infections in Hispanics/Latinos. In 2010, the rate of new HIV infections for Latino males was 2.9 times that for white males, and the rate of new infections for Latinas was 4.2 times that for white females^.

We know now that abstaining from sex is the only foolproof protection from the sexual passage of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). We know, too, that for those who choose to have sex with someone who has any chance of being infected, using a latex condom during every sexual encounter can significantly reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, while protecting against pregnancy.. However, for those who are sexually active, studies have shown that proper and consistent use of latex condoms is the best defense.

Safe sex advocate and founder of the Condom-Queen brand of condoms, Louanne Grasmeder, says “With the shocking statistics condoms are an important tool in preventing the spread of HIV. When used consistently and correctly, condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV. Using condoms with other prevention methods can further reduce your risk of getting HIV. Latex condoms are the most effective against disease.  Those made from lambskin (“natural skin” or “natural membrane) have pores that can permit the passage of harmful viruses including HIV.”  .

Since 1976, FDA has regulated condoms to ensure their safety and effectiveness.  Manufacturers of American-made and imported condoms electronically test each condom for holes and other defects. Also, before distributing the condoms to retailers, manufacturers perform additional testing on random condoms from each batch, usually involving a “water leak” test to find holes and an “air burst” test to check condom strength. FDA oversees the testing procedures by periodically inspecting the manufacturing facilities, and the agency tests some condoms in its own laboratories to confirm their quality.

Condoms are sold in various colors, shapes or packaging to suit different personal preferences. But, whether they glow in the dark or taste like strawberries, products that sufficiently resemble a condom must comply with FDA’s requirements, even if they are labeled as “novelties.” The only condom-like products that need not comply are those that can’t be used like condoms. For example, some novelty products have the closed end removed or are sealed so they can’t be unrolled.

To get the maximum protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, remember the following things when using condoms:  Here are some important facts

Store condoms in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Don’t make the common mistake of storing them in a glove compartment, wallet or purse.

Don’t use a condom if the package is damaged or the rubber material is sticky, brittle, discolored, or otherwise deteriorated. Don’t use a condom after the expiration date or more than five years after the manufacturing date. (source U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

• Never reuse a condom. Use a new condom with each sexual act that involves contact with the penis.

• Handle a condom carefully to avoid damaging it with fingernails, teeth, or other sharp objects.

• Put on the condom after the penis is erect and before intimate contact. Place the condom on the head of the penis and unroll it all the way to the base. Leave an empty space at the end of the condom to collect semen. Remove any air remaining in the tip by gently pressing the air out toward the base of the penis.

• Ensure adequate lubrication during intercourse. When needed with latex condoms, use only water-based lubricants such as K-Y jelly or glycerin. Don’t use oil-based lubricants such as baby oil, petroleum jelly, massage oil, body lotion, or cooking oil because they can weaken the latex. Oil-based lubricants may be used with polyurethane, however, without damaging the material.

• After ejaculation, hold onto the rim of the condom and carefully withdraw the penis while it is still erect.

Condom-Queen has recently launched a range of condoms online with Amazon.com Founded in 2014, Condom-Queen is an exclusively online supplier of quality condoms, discreetly packaged and designed for discerning modern women.

1. There are a number of options for people to be tested for HIV, using tests approved by FDA:
2. Trained health professionals collect a sample and run the test in a professional medical setting. You receive your test results from a trained health professional.
3. You collect a sample in the home, forward the sample to a medical laboratory, and trained health professionals run the test in the medical laboratory.
4. You collect a sample, run the test, and obtain your own test results in your home.

This page provides information about HIV testing, including where to find a testing site near you, and a list of the various approved assays for HIV detection. (source www.fda.gov)

 

(Newswire.net — November 29, 2014)  —