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World AIDS Day Commemoration December 1 was World AIDS Day, a global initiative to encourage countries and communities to take a stand against HIV/AIDS. The fight against HIV/AIDS can be recognized not only on World AIDS Day, but all through December and every day of the year. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. It can take years for a person infected with HIV to reach this stage. One in 5 of the more than one million people living with HIV in the United States are unaware of his or her infection. HIV is passed from one person to another by: *Having unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who has HIV *Sharing needles with someone who has HIV *Breastfeeding, pregnancy, or childbirth if a mother has HIV *Getting a transfusion of blood that has HIV, which is rare in the United States This year, an estimated 56,300 people will be infected with HIV in the United States. One in 5 of the more than one million people living with HIV are unaware of his or her infection. This year, in recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, Allen Temple Baptist Church, HIV/AIDS Ministry encourages everyone to get tested for HIV. The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. You could have HIV and still feel healthy. Many doctors recommend HIV testing for all teens and adults between the ages of 13 and 64. It's especially important to get tested regularly if you are at high risk of infection. Get tested for HIV at least once a year if you: * Have unprotected sex (sex without a condom) with someone who might have HIV. * Have sex with men who have sex with men. * Use drugs with needles. * Have a sex partner who is HIV-positive. * Have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD). For more information, contact the Allen Temple AIDS Ministry at (510) 544-8910. Resources: World AIDS Day Campaign, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) National Hand Washing Awareness Week: December 4 - 10 According to the Centers for Disease Control, "the most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands." Judicious hand washing can prevent not only common diseases like colds, but also more serious diseases like hepatitis A, meningitis, and infectious diarrhea. Why hand washing is important: Children have weaker immune systems than adults and can become sick quicker. 1 in 3 E.coli outbreaks is caused by poor hand washing by food preparers. Germs that cause disease live in meat, vegetables, and more. Germs are spread from unclean hands to food, usually when the food handler doesn't wash after going to the bathroom. Germs are then passed on to those who eat the food. Germs spread from uncooked foods like hamburger to the hands, then from the hands to other foods like salads. The germs can remain in the salads and eventually affect those who eat the food. Putting cooked meat back into its original container re-contaminates the cooked food. - Cutting vegetables on the same board used to cut meat contaminates the vegetables. 6 Main Rules of Hand Washing Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, cleaning up after your pets, or handling money. Wash your hands when they're dirty. Always wash your hands before eating. Don't cough or sneeze into your hands. Refrain from putting your fingers in your eyes, nose, or mouth. Avoid touching people and surfaces with unclean hands. Correct way of washing hands Wet hands with warm water (not hot) and use soap. Rub your hands together, making sure to scrub all areas. Rub for a minimum of 15 seconds or sing "Happy Birthday." Rinse thoroughly, then dry hands on a clean towel. 5. Turn faucet off with the towel, not hands, to keep away from recontamination. Statistics 2/3 of adults in the US wash hands after using the bathroom. 1 in 4 adults don't wash hands after changing diapers. Less than 1/2 of Americans wash hands after cleaning up after pets. 1 in 3 wash hands after sneezing/coughing. Less than 1 in 5 washes hands after touching money. 1 in 3 E.coli occurrences is caused from not washing hands before handling food. By frequently washing your hands, you wash away germs that you have picked up from other people, or from contaminated surfaces, or from animals and animal waste. The simple act of consistently performing this basic task properly will make a big difference in your own household as well as in work, school and public settings. Resource: Health Reach Community Health Centers |
