AIDS+in+Africa

====  AIDS ==== = What is it and what can you do? =




 * 1) ====Fact: Anyone can get infected with HIV/AIDS. That young person who looks like they have a lot of money and had everything they needed? Well they were infected with HIV and could be dead within 20 years. Whether you are straight or gay, young or old, skinny or overwieght, you can be infected. Take a moment and think, "Is this worth the price of death?" Abstinence is the key, and if you for some reason can't wait, protection. ====
 * 2) ====As bad as it sounds, poorer areas in Africa where there is not as much knowledge about HIV/AIDS, they believe sex with a virgin is a cure, but it isn't. Instead of curing your HIV/AIDS, you probably just infected another young girl or boy with HIV. Now that innocent child will die, not to mention they could end up pregnant with a child that will develope HIV/AIDS. ====
 * 3) AIDS will kill you and you can't hold it off for ever. Sure there are treatments that keep your HIV in check, but it will eventually turn into AIDS. Once you have AIDS, it is a death sentence. This is a problem in Africa where prostitution and sexually violence is a part of everyday lives. Millions of children are orphaned, and it is a death sentence for young children who can't care for themselves. They'll slowly die from thirst or starvation; a painful and slow way to die.

= = =Not all is lost. The simple things you do can save yourself and countless others. = =Check out what UNAIDS is doing to help prevent HIV/AIDS. (click here) =
 * 1) ====If you don't want to get infected, just don't do it. Fool proof method to not get HIV/AIDS. If you for some reason can't wait, use protection. It does reduce your chance of contracting HIV. ====
 * 2) ====To all you drug users out there: DON'T SHARE NEEDLES! Since HIV/AIDS is transmitted by bodily fluid, you can contract HIV/AIDS by sharing a needle with an infected person. One way or another, you'll die; death comes with HIV/AIDS, and it can come from drugs too but that's a different story. ====
 * 3) ====Instead of saving that change for a rainy day, donate it. If everyone in the US were to donate 10 cents, that's easily over $3,000,000. That money can then be spent on relief for victims and on research for prevention; money for spreading knowledge and giving away prevention. !0 cents is not that much but if enough people donate that, a lot can be done. You don't have to go and sign up to do volunteer work in Africa, but donating some extra change can and will make a change. ====

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