2008 World AIDS Day

According to WorldAidsDay.org, HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system - the body's defence against diseases. The latest research suggests that between 70 and 90 per cent of people may experience symptoms of infection a few days after having been infected. Three symptoms occurring together: fever, rash and a severe sore throat should always be considered a potential indicator of HIV infection. These symptoms usually disappear within two or three weeks. Other people may not have symptoms to start with. In all cases, without effective treatment the immune system will eventually become very weak and no longer be able to fight off illnesses.

Are HIV and AIDS the same?
No. When someone is described as living with HIV, they have the HIV virus in their body. A person is considered to have developed AIDS when the immune system is so weak it can no longer fight off a range of diseases with which it would normally cope.

I don't know anyone with HIV... do I?
There are approximately 80,000 people living with HIV in the UK and about a third of these don't know that they are infected. The epidemic is still growing in the UK with around 7,000 new diagnoses every year. Even if someone you know is living with HIV, they may not feel able to tell you.

The 1st of December, World AIDS Day, is the day when individuals and organisations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Whilst we have come a long ways since 1988, there is still much more to be done.

World AIDS Day 2008 materials are available online. Click here to download resources.

Sorry, the mail version of the World AIDS Day materials are SOLD OUT!!!!!

To prepare for World AIDS Day 2008, you can do the following:

• Download World AIDS Day materials for 2008.
• Enter your World AIDS Day event on our INTERNATIONAL WORLD AIDS DAY CALENDAR
• Read more about leadership and why 2008 is the time to LEAD-EMPOWER-DELIVER
• Learn more about events and SMS pledge campaign happening for World AIDS Day in India
• Find out more about events happening in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia
• Read about what happened on World AIDS Day in 2007
• Find out about more information about themes and resources for World AIDS Day 2007, 2006 and 2005
• View the campaigners tools available for 2008, 2007 and 2006

Please continue to check back for updates on events and resources. If you would like us to inform you about World AIDS Day updates via email, please sign up here.

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