Thirty years ago the Centers for Disease Control saw the first cases of pneumocystitis pneumonia.
In 1982, the term Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome was established for the disease. Later, the virus that is to become known as HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, is identified. This virus compromises the body's immunity system by attacking the cells that help fight infection.
A courageous teenager named Ryan White was a middle school student in Indiana who contracted HIV from a contaminated blood treatment in 1984. At that time, HIV and AIDS were poorly understood and he was banned from public school. A legal battle ensued and Ryan came to the forefront as a spokesman for HIV. He succumbed to AIDS in 1990 at the age of 18.
HIV was once a death sentence and today is a well managed chronic disease. Before you get too comfortable, medication costs between $1,000 and $2,000 per month.
Who can afford that? Many people living with HIV qualify for Maryland AIDS Drug Assistance Program. The Ryan White Care Act is the largest federal program providing HIV care to infected people. HIV is contracted by contact with infected blood. High risk behaviors are sharing needles and having sex with many partners. An infected mother can also pass the virus to her infant.
Professionals are seeing a "graying of HIV" meaning that many people living with HIV are growing older. We are seeing a trend of younger people ages 15 to 25 becoming infected and those who are older than 50. Every nine and a half minutes, someone in the U.S. is infected. One in every five people do not know they are infected. Don't forget those sexually active seniors who may not be practicing safer sex to reduce their risk.
Yes, Carroll County does have HIV.
What can be done to stop this preventable disease?
First of all, get yourself tested. Confidential free testing is offered at Carroll County Health Department from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays at 290 South Center Street in Westminster.
World AIDS Day is marked on Dec. 1 each year as a an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV.
Know your status and then make good choices to protect yourself.
