World’s AIDS Day (Dec 1st)

HIV/AIDS

In 2008, some 33.4 million [31.1 million-35.8 million] people are living with HIV worldwide (UNAIDS sites). Although there is no official data on prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Tibetan community in exile, the numbers are growing. HIV/AIDS is becoming prevalent in our community in places like Dharamsala, Delhi(Majnu-ka Tila), Tibetan settlements in India (mostly in South India), and few cases in New York.

Following is a video clip from Choice-HIV/AIDS Initiative (www.tibetanaidsinfo.org)

Animation Tutorial on HIV/AIDS prevention: click here-> HIV/AIDS Prevention: Health Education Animation Tutorial

Definition of HIV/AIDS
By Mayo Clinic staff

AIDS is a chronic, life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body’s ability to fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease. HIV makes you more susceptible to certain types of cancers and to infections your body would normally resist, such as pneumonia and meningitis. The virus and the infection itself are known as HIV. “Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)” is the name given to the later stages of an HIV infection.

An estimated 39.5 million people have HIV worldwide. And though the spread of the virus has slowed in some countries, it has escalated or remained unchanged in others. The best hope for stemming the spread of HIV lies in prevention, treatment and education.

More Information on HIV/AIDS (Mayo Clinic)

Get Tested: At doctors office, health department, hospitals and other sites

Locate FREE testing site by visiting www.hivtest.org/ or calling CDC-INFO (formerly the CDC National AIDS Hotline) at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) 24 Hours/Day. You do not have to give any personal information about yourself to use these services to find a testing site.