AIDS, which is on the rise in recent years, is mostly caused by sexual contact.


December 1st is World AIDS Day. AIDS Day was established in January 1988 at the World Health Ministers' Meeting held in London, England, when 148 participating countries adopted the London Declaration, emphasizing information exchange, education promotion, and respect for human rights for AIDS prevention.



Recently, instead of simply sharing information about disease or injecting preventative measures, a 'red ribbon', meaning blood and a warm heart, is attached to the body to eliminate discrimination and prejudice against AIDS-infected people and to accept them into society and live together. The 'Red Ribbon Movement' to create a down-to-earth society is also being developed.

The red ribbon was adopted as a symbol of the AIDS movement by UN AIDS after it appeared at the 1991 AIDS Video Arts Festival in New York. UN AIDS is an AIDS-only organization under the United Nations that was established in January 1996 to help each country's AIDS management and prevention projects.

On this day, international organizations and governments organize various events to disseminate accurate information on AIDS and preventive measures, and campaign to break prejudice against AIDS and eliminate discrimination. In Korea, the 23rd World AIDS Day commemorative event will be held in front of Good Morning City at DONGDAEMUN History and Culture Park Station in Seoul on the 1st.







HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the 'Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is the causative agent of AIDS. When  HIV enters the human body, it finds the cells responsible for immunity and destroys the immune cells while multiplying within the immune cells. Since HIV is present in large amounts in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk, the virus is transmitted mainly through sexual intercourse, transfusion of infected blood, pregnancy, and childbirth of an infected mother.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a progressive syndrome caused by infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). When infected with HIV, the immune system of our body is damaged, and when the level exceeds a certain level, even a simple infection can cause fatal complications because the immune system does not function properly.

Until an HIV-infected person progresses to an AIDS patient, the virus plays a role in damaging the body's immune system. Most people can recover to a normal state by resisting and controlling themselves in the body against diseases such as recurrence of infection in childhood.

However, when infected with HIV, these immune functions are lost and the disease progresses. The cause of death of AIDS patients is not simply because they are infected with HIV, but because HIV enters the human body and gradually reduces normal immune function, making it impossible to prevent any disease from occurring.

According to the Korea AIDS Prevention Association, as of the end of June 2010, a total of 7,268 people were infected, with 5976 still alive. Among them, 99% of infections are due to heterosexual contact, and no cases of infection through blood transfusions have been reported since 2006.




As such, the cause of the recent increase in AIDS is mostly sexual contact even though most people know that it is a terrible disease that is difficult to treat and can lead to death, they are indeed ignorant of prevention, follow-up treatment, and testing.

If  you have a contraceptive device in your sex life, you can prevent AIDS as well as most other sexually transmitted diseases. AIDS infection can cause not only health, but also social prejudice and difficulties in daily life, and can be greatly affected psychologically and mentally.

AIDS tests can be easily obtained at public health centers, diagnostic test departments of large hospitals, and urology departments. In this regard, Jo Jung-ho, director of the Gangnam branch of Goldman Urology Department, explained, “Through oral mucosa test, AIDS test can be performed without blood collection and the result can be confirmed within 10 to 20 minutes.” If you suspect AIDS, it is best to see a specialist and get tested.

Best regards By SAEED ZULFIQARS