Created by NAT (National AIDS trust) WORLD AIDS DAY 2015 Understanding HIV and why it is an issue today. 1 st December 2015

Overview World AIDS Day 2015 Understanding HIV: Key facts and myths HIV Timeline: a lot has happened in 30 years Why HIV is still an important issue today What can you do?

What is World Aids Day? Understanding HIV World AIDS Day (WAD) is held yearly on 1 st December to raise awareness about HIV. It is a day to show support for people living with HIV, remember those who have lost their lives because of HIV, and learn the facts and realities of HIV today, in the UK and worldwide.

What is HIV? Understanding HIV HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. It stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and can develop when HIV damages the immune system to such an extent that it can no longer fight off a range of infections it would normally cope with.

Who gets HIV? Understanding HIV Anyone can potentially get HIV if they put themselves at risk. The most common way HIV is passed on in the UK is through sex without condoms. Condoms are very effective at preventing the spread of HIV. In the UK the groups most affected by HIV are gay and bisexual men and black African men and women. Some young people will have lived with HIV their whole life because HIV can be passed on during pregnancy, birth or breast feeding. However, in the UK this is now very rare because HIV medication is used to prevent this from happening.

What is life like with HIV? Understanding HIV If diagnosed in good time, and with the right medication, people living with HIV can now live as long as anyone else and will be unlikely to develop AIDS. With the right medication, people living with HIV are very unlikely to pass on the virus to anyone else. In the UK, people living with HIV can do any job, apart from serving on the ‘front-line’ in the armed forces. This is the same for many other long-term conditions which require you to take daily medication.

Some HIV statistics Understanding HIV Around 107,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. 1 in 4 people living with HIV in the UK do not know they have the virus. Just under half of adults who get HIV are diagnosed late. Late diagnosis can cause complications and even shorten your life expectancy million people across the world are living with HIV.

Quick fire: True or False True or False Raise your hand if you think the following statements are true or false…

How is HIV passed on? True or False You can get HIV through sharing toothbrushes, kissing, or touching. True or False?

True or False Why is this untrue? Because: HIV is only passed on through bodily fluids exchanged through sex, blood and breast milk. There is absolutely no risk of contracting HIV through sharing toothbrushes, kissing or touching because HIV cannot be passed on through saliva or casual day-to-day contact.

How do I protect myself from HIV? True or False There is nothing I can do once I’ve been at risk of getting HIV. True or False?

True or False Why is this untrue? Because: You can take Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PEP involves you taking 4 weeks of HIV medication and can prevent HIV infection, if started within 72 hours after exposure to HIV, for example, through unprotected sex.

Who gets HIV? True or False I’m not the ‘type of person’ who gets HIV - I’m not gay. True or False?

True or False Why is this untrue? Because: Anyone can get HIV if they put themselves at risk.

How are people with HIV treated in society? True or False It’s against the law to discriminate against someone because they are HIV positive. True or False?

True or False Why is this true? Because: the Equalities Act (2010) gives legal protection against discrimination for people living with HIV from the point of diagnosis.

What is life like with HIV? True or False If you get HIV you can have a normal life expectancy. True or False?

True or False Why is this true? Because: Whilst HIV is a serious long-term condition, it can now be treated and managed very well. If you are diagnosed in good time and take your medication as prescribed, your quality of life and life expectancy can be just the same as anyone else.

How could I afford treatment? True or False Treatment for HIV is free for everyone in the UK. True or False?

True or False Why is this true? Because: HIV treatment is provided for free on the NHS to everyone who needs it.

Timeline HIV Timeline 80s90s 00s10s

Timeline: 80s 1981 First cases of AIDS found in California and New York, mainly among gay men and injecting drug users AIDS reported in European countries, including the UK, and the name AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is created AIDS reported in non-drug using women and children. Scientists more confident that the cause of AIDS is infectious Over 100 people diagnosed with AIDS in the UK. Scientists identify the virus causing AIDS – later known as HIV. 1985/6 UK Government gives millions of pounds to fight AIDS - launches an AIDS campaign. HIV testing introduced in the UK. The name HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is given to the virus that causes AIDS. (USA) AIDS patient Ryan White wins the battle to go to school.

Timeline: 80s 1987 UK Government launches 'Don't Die of Ignorance' campaign. (UK) Princess Diana opens first HIV ward in a UK hospital and is pictured holding the hands of a patient with AIDS. AZT becomes first drug approved to treat HIV – reduces HIV death rate but is unpredictable and causes severe side effects. Over 1000 people diagnosed with AIDS in the UK. (USA) ACT UP protest against the high cost of AZT drugs World AIDS Day created.

Timeline: 90s 1991 Red ribbon becomes the symbol for HIV awareness. EastEnders storyline: major character, Mark Fowler diagnosed with HIV. Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, confirms he has AIDS and dies the next day aged First combination drug therapies for HIV used - slows down the development of drug resistance (France) Giant condom put on Paris landmark to raise awareness Over 10,000 AIDS diagnoses and over 25,000 people living with HIV in the UK New drug combinations halt progression of AIDS - beginning of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) HIV deaths fall dramatically with wider introduction of ART New HIV diagnoses among heterosexuals overtakes gay and bisexual men for the first time.

Timeline: 00s 2001 First criminal trial for reckless transmission of HIV held in Scotland and a man is convicted A man is given a prison sentence under English law for reckless HIV transmission. The Disability Discrimination Act is passed - gives legal protection against discrimination for people living with HIV Estimated 73,000 people living with HIV in the UK Case reported of San Franciscan man with leukaemia and HIV being cured of HIV after a bone marrow transplant in Germany. Estimated 33 million people around the world are living with HIV President Obama removes travel ban preventing HIV positive people entering the USA The UN General Assembly adopts combatting HIV/AIDS as a Millennium Development Goal

Timeline: 10s 2010 Trial shows a reduction in HIV rates among HIV negative gay men on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) – a course of HIV drugs taken to reduce the risk of getting HIV Trial shows 96% reduction in passing on HIV during (heterosexual) sex without a condom when a person is successfully responding to HIV treatment – known as HIV 'treatment as prevention‘ UNAIDS report shows 19 million of the 35 million people thought to be living with HIV do not know their status Hollyoaks storyline: character Ste Hay diagnosed as HIV positive after having unprotected sex with a one- night-stand - first time a British soap features gay character living with HIV. Cuba becomes first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Three openly HIV positive candidates campaign ahead of the UK 2015 General Election.

Why is HIV still an issue? “Things have changed since the 80s! Now that there’s HIV medication there’s nothing left for people to worry about, right?”

HIV is still very important because… Why is HIV still an issue? HIV diagnoses in the UK are rising, even though we know how to prevent it. Many people still aren’t aware of how HIV is passed on. It is still a serious long term condition and although there is good treatment, there is no cure.

HIV is still very important because… Why is HIV still an issue? 1 in 4 people with HIV in the UK don’t know they have it. Knowing your status and being on treatment is the best way to prevent the spread of HIV to others and avoid any health complications of being diagnosed late.

HIV is still very important because… Why is HIV still an issue? There is still a lot of unnecessary HIV stigma and discrimination. This impacts negatively on the lives of people living with HIV and discourages people from getting tested, knowing their status and seeking treatment.

HIV is still very important because… Why is HIV still an issue? It is a major global issue million people across the world are living with HIV. However, only 15 million people are accessing antiretroviral therapy, the medication used to treat HIV. In 2014, 2 million people worldwide became newly infected.

What can I do? “Well, yes those things are issues, but there’s not much I can do about it.”

Actually, there’s lots you can do… What can I do? Know the facts – keep yourself well informed. Get tested if you’ve been at risk. Challenge stigma and discrimination – improve society for those living with HIV and those worried about being tested Show your support – raise awareness and raise funds on World AIDS Day

Useful links… What can I do? Learn more about HIV and the facts at HIV Aware: Campaign and become an HIV activist: Do something great for World AIDS Day: ideas.php ideas.php

WORLD AIDS DAY 2015 NAT would like to thank our supporters for reviewing this assembly. 1 st December 2015