HIV– infection by the human immunodeficiency virus. The virus causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It makes an infected organism unable to protect itself against other viruses and bacterias. For a person with HIV (and especially with AIDS) a cold can be very dangerous.
HIV – zakażenie ludzkim wirusem upośledzenia odporności. Wirus ten wywołuje zespół nabytego upośledzenia odporności (AIDS). Powoduje on, że zarażony organizm jest niezdolny do obrony przed innymi wirusami i bakteriami. Dla osoby z HIV (a szczególnie z AIDS) katar może być bardzo niebezpieczny.
HIV. Everybody has heard about this virus. Everybody knows how dangerous it is. Schools and organizations are working on educating people. Different meetings are organized and thousands of books are published but unfortunately, more and more people all over the world are infected.
People who have HIV can live with the virus for many years without knowing they are infected. Unfortunately, HIV can develop into AIDS which is a mortal disease. It is not said that HIV will develop but it doesn’t change the fact that millions of people die of HIV/AIDS every year.
The report, which is published ahead of World Aids Day on 1 December, estimates 40 million people around the world are infected with HIV/Aids. It includes 2.5 million children.
UNAIDS and the World Health Organization report says that there are five million new infections every year and three million people died from the disease this year.
Doctors warn that the numbers could rise sharply in the next years, especially in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The number of reported infections is rising rapidly in China, India, Indonesia and Russia, mostly because of HIV transmission through injecting drug use and unsafe sex.
The report says better prevention programmes are needed to stop the spread.
Around 14,000 people are infected with the disease every day.
There are only three possible ways of infection by HIV:
1. through blood contact;
2. through sexual contacts;
3. the virus may be passed by an infected mother to an unborn baby;
World AIDS Day is celebrated all over the world on December 1st. On that special day people wear a red ribbon attached to their clothes. It’s a symbol of support and union with people infected with HIV/AIDS.
World AIDS Day was originally organised by UNAIDS, who co-operated with other organisations. In 2005 UNAIDS handed over responsibility for World AIDS Day to an independent organisation known as The World AIDS Campaign (WAC).
Polish HIV information services
- Educational line (67) 387 09 01
People who want to know where to have a test, when the risk of being infected by HIV is, how to treat HIV or where to look for help can call this number any time from all over Poland.
- Educational table
Such educational tables are organised in the schools, in public places where there are a lot of people. On such a table you can find leaflets and books. There are also volunteers who will always answer your questions.
- Internet guidance service
If you look for information about HIV/AIDS, you can easily find them on internet.
Such websites are also created to help people who live with HIV and can’t cope with their disease on their own. They can ask questions online or find addresses of different organisations.
- SMS 609 989 508
Every week a short piece of information about HIV/AIDS is send to interested people.