HIV is still here but no longer a death sentence - New England Region

Tuesday 1 December 2009 marks World AIDS Day around the world. The NSW theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is ‘HIV is still here’.

World AIDS Day aims to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in an effort to reduce HIV transmission and to minimise the personal and social impacts of HIV infection.

Tamworth Sexual Health’s Dr Miriam Grotowski said currently there is no vaccine or cure for HIV, but drug treatments are available which can control the virus, delay progression to AIDS, and keep HIV positive people healthy for longer.

“However the most effective way for people to protect themselves and their partners and to contribute to reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS is still through practising safe sex through the use of condoms and by having regular sexual health check ups,” Dr Grotowski said.

“HIV/AIDS is a preventable disease, and we hope that by openly talking about it we will help to generate broad community awareness and understanding across our community.

“Early access to HIV testing and treatments allow many people living with HIV/AIDS to live longer and enjoy a better quality of life, however, it is important to remember that there is still no cure for HIV/AIDS,” Dr Grotowski said.

“HIV can infect people of all ages and backgrounds across the Hunter New England Health region, including women, men, children, and those who are gay, straight, single, married, young and old.

“We need to continue to be informed about HIV/AIDS, in order to work towards reducing new infections as well as discrimination,” she said.

While the rate of HIV notifications in NSW appears to have stabilised, to between 369 - 412 new cases per annum (2003-2007), there have been significant rises in Victoria and Queensland.

Consistent with NSW trends, the rates of HIV notifications across the Hunter New England Health region also remain stable.

A number of different activities have been planned across the New England/North West region to remember those who have lost their lives and also remind the community that HIV/AIDS is still around.

The public are encouraged to wear a Red Ribbon, which is the international symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness, and represent an offer of support for those living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Hunter New England Health has compiled the following list of events for World AIDS Day 2009:

Contact: Sharna McCarthy

Phone: 4921 4501