The Reality about HIV

What is HIV?
- the reality

FEAR + IGNORANCE + PREJUDICES + TABUS = STIGMA
Etymologically, the word ‘stigma’ comes from the Greek stigma, a term used to refer to a body ark imposed with burning iron, either as an infamous penalty, or as a sign of slavery. In this way, the rest of the population could depart from these people to avoid any kind of contamination or damage.

The reality is that HIV is not easily transmitted. It is not transmitted by daily contact with an infected person, whether at work, school, social, family contact, etc. Therefore, it is not transmitted by sharing utensils to eat, drink from the same glass, cough, sneeze, touch, kiss or caress, or share showers, swimming pools, food, objects, bathrooms, toilets or public places in general. Boys and girls with HIV do not represent a risk of transmission to their peers in school, or to other people.

Nor is it a death sentence: HIV can be fatal if left untreated and virus infections continue to occur. But the treatment is highly effective. Most people who start their therapy at the right time, take it as prescribed and take care of their health, can live long and healthy lives. They can even get married and have children taking appropriate measures.

THE PROBLEM OF HIV IN INDIA
Of the more than 1,750,000 children born in the state of Rajasthan, 0.38% acquire the virus of HIV at birth. That is, more than 66,500 children ... every year.

The Indian government develops several programs to prevent the transmission of HIV from parents to children, as well as medical care and support. But those orphaned children become in victims of a tragedy; cannot be abandoned while waiting for the slow and excessively bureaucratized administration. And the stigma of HIV no longer simply generates rejection, even from their own families; These children do not count, they are expendable. The world gives them back and just wait for them to disappear.