12/01/2025
December 1 is World AIDS Day. HIV/AIDS became prevalent in the 1980s, and although there have been great strides in both scientific treatments and general awareness of the disease, there are still many who don’t know the facts.
FACT: HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) if left untreated. HIV/AIDS cannot be cured, and in 2024 alone, 630,000 people have died from complications caused by the disease.
FACT: HIV is spread through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal and re**al fluids, and breast milk. This means the virus can be transmitted through unprotected s*x, sharing needles, or breastfeeding.
FACT: There is no cure for HIV, but there are treatments and known methods for preventing transmission. There are medications that greatly reduce the risk of contracting HIV, as well as medications that can be taken after a potential exposure to prevent the virus from developing. Using condoms and avoiding used needles are other simple and effective ways to prevent HIV/AIDS. It is also good practice to be tested regularly, and to know the status of your s*xual partners before engaging in unprotected in*******se.
FACT: Samaritan has an Infectious Disease clinic, which is the only clinic in the area offering primary care for HIV and AIDS patients. Learn more at samaritanhealth.com/infectious-disease
