World AIDS Day is held on December 1 each year.
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And as this one approaches, I cannot help but think about all of the human lives that have been impacted by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
I was working in sexual health in the early 1980s when the first cases of HIV were diagnosed in Australia.
It was a devastating diagnosis to have to deliver.
There was a lot of fear, stigma and ignorance surrounding the condition.
Fast forward over 30 years to 2016 and across the world, over 78 million people have become infected while approximately 35 million people have died from an AIDS related condition.
In Australia it is estimated there are roughly 20 new diagnoses each week.
Fortunately we now have effective treatments, and HIV is considered a chronic, manageable, medical condition, but we cannot afford to be complacent.
This year the World AIDS Day message is “HIV is still here and it’s on the move”.
It’s true.
In recent years there has been an increase in the number of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) diagnosed in people living in remote areas of Queensland including the North West district.
Gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis have all been on the increase.
Infection with other STIs can increase the risk of HIV transmission.
Let’s not add HIV to the list.
HIV does not recognise borders and can affect anyone.
However, it is a preventable condition.
I would encourage everyone to become informed about HIV transmission so that you can take measures to protect your health and the health of others.
HIV is one of several STIs and blood borne viruses (BBVs) that your local health service can test for.
On December 1 take a moment to think about those people we have lost to HIV and show your support for those who are living with the virus.
If you would like more information about HIV or other STIs and BBVs, or would like a STI/BBV screen, contact Mount Isa Sexual Health or your local GP or community health service.
Fiona MacFarlane is the Nurse Unit Manager at Mount Isa Sexual Health, North West Hospital and Health Service.