HIV and AIDS - If you have these, would you mind coming out?
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When we talk about this dreaded illness, first thing that comes to our mind is DEATH. Like the big "C", when someone is inflicted with HIV or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, victims considered it a hopeless case and knowing the fact that there's still no cure, only maintenance medications that fight the virus.. makes it even more frightening... seemingly, there's no LIFE after AIDS.
HIV and AIDS are related terms but not the same thing:
HIV is the virus that attacks and weakens the immune system but can be controlled and managed. The virus is found in blood and sexual fluids that can be transmitted through unprotected sex encounters, sharing hypodermic needles and an infected mother to her unborn child.
AIDS is a condition developed when the body has
been weakened by HIV. It's the final stage of infection. Today, this incurable
illness is no longer considered a death sentence rather, a chronic manageable
condition. The infected person becomes more vulnerable to common sickness.
Modern treatment and healthy lifestyles can prolong the person's life.
Worldwide Statistics based on amfAR:
More than 34M people now live with HIV/AIDS.
3.3M of them are under the age of 15.
In 2011, an estimated 2.5M people were newly infected with HIV.
330,000 were under the age of 15.
Every day nearly 7,000 people contract HIV—nearly 300 every hour.
In 2011, 1.7M people died from AIDS.
230,000 of them were under the age of 15.
Since the beginning of the epidemic, more than 60M people have contracted HIV and nearly 30M have died of HIV-related causes.
The BIG question is:
If you found out that you are HIV positive, would you disclose your condition to other people or come out and tell the world?
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There's this story about WANGGO GALLAGA, 29-year old son of filmmaker Peque Gallaga, who announced in 2008 that he's infected with HIV. According to him and I quote:
“I was diagnosed back in August 2008 and for the past four years, I’ve been trying to tell my story so that people can learn from my mistake.”
Since he was diagnosed, he's been going around the country to share his own experiences living with HIV. It has been his advocacy to promote awareness regarding the condition, hoping to teach people especially the young generation, the lessons he learned from doing what he calls, "risky behavior".
According to the 2012 Global Report of the United Nations Programs on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Philippines was one of nine countries where new HIV/AIDS cases increased by 25 percent from 2001 to 2011.
Records at the Department of Health showed that as of October 2012, the number of HIV cases in the country was at 11,125 since the first case in the country was reported in 1984.- (source)
In the Philippines alone, more than 1,000 Filipinos are tested HIV positive for the first quarter of 2013. The new cases affect more males than females with age group, 20-29 years old which also include OFWs.
LOVE of family and friends is of utmost significance in coping with this challenge. It is indeed a depressing situation. The battle is unimaginable but if there's a strong supportive group.. people with this condition will definitely live an almost normal life.
I wish all people with aids or HIV are brave enough to come forth. A few years ago, there was a heresay here that somebody with HIV out infected needle in the handle of the gas pump. It was scary.
ReplyDeletewith all the education campaign on Aids and HIV right now, it no longer sound as scary as before where it seemed people would trash you right away if you have one, now, there is more acceptance, and I am hoping, people would not judge nor treat HIV and AIDS patients differently, so that it is easier for people who have this to come out in the open, as get as much support (in all aspects) they need.
ReplyDeleteI've heard there is a cure for HIV now. I hope this will work out as they really needed this kind of medication especially for the kid's who was affected.
ReplyDeleteI think I would tell my story as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very serious topic :-) Prevention is always top on our list to avoid contacting to these diseases. I would come out to share the people my story and to help them too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jessicacassidy.com/2013/07/finished-reading-the-first-fifty-shades-of-grey-book/
Acceptance is a key to deliverance. Mahirap magtago sa closet.
ReplyDeleteHe is so brave enough to tell people about him being infected of HIV. It's never easy to get out of your shell and announce to the world about this issue. That's why kudos to him for doing so and I hope people will be more aware about this.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing this, i admired him for coming-out and sharing his story as well as inspiring people! regarding your question, maybe in the start i will keep it but as i go along i will tell my story and share it with being positive! :) anyway, glad that there are medicine now that can help someone to prolong his/her life, i just hope someday soon they can find affordable cure for it. :)
ReplyDeleteChildren who are born with AIDS are pitiful. It wasn't their fault that they become infected. This story is inspiration as it would probably help small kids to cope up with the disease.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Wanggo, I will come out and tell the world because sometimes you can learn lessons from other people's mistake. It's a degrading and humiliating disease but it's a consequence you must take.
ReplyDeleteTelling people that you are infected with HIV takes a lot of courage. I salute Wanggo for his brave actions! =)
ReplyDeleteMedyo close pa talaga ang minds ng Filipinos about these cases. I really pray na the society will start to accept the people inflicted with these diseases. We need to accept them, not despise them.
ReplyDeleteno question ask. I will definitely will come out in the open.
ReplyDeletethe problem here in the Philippines, according to DOH, the HIV infected victims are increasing due to call centers (?). very sad news, isn't?
We really need to educate our children about HIV/AIDS. We need to empower our knowledge today about the disease that is crucial especially to the young ones.
ReplyDeleteWango is a brave human. He inspire a lot of people not only those who are infected but those are also having some sort of disease that are closely related to AIDS.
ReplyDeleteomg :(( In this time we should be really careful and we should know our partner a lot!. I know a friend who is diagnosed with HIV but even though he have this illness he stays positive and he now values and enjoy his life to the fullest.
ReplyDeletehis act of coming out is very admirable and I hope more an more people would learn from his mistake
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to things like these, our culture might make one not want to come out simply due to extreme stigma. Sad but true.
ReplyDeleteThat is a courageous and admirable act! I hope more and more people infected with HIV would come out in the open and do the same thing. It's good that he has a strong support system that makes the journey lighter. Way to go!
ReplyDelete