Tomorrow is Aids Day

[Geoffrey S]

I guess it serves some purpose. Most times, Aids (and STDs in general) is gained through stupidity and someone's own fault; it's a disease that is uniquely spread through idiocy, perhaps this Aids day will make people at least a bit more aware.

[HoreTore]

Yes, anal sex and sharing needles is the reason for the aids epidemic in the world. The victims are entirely to blame.

Spot on.

[/sarcasm]

[Viking]

I guess it serves some purpose. Most times, Aids (and STDs in general) is gained through stupidity and someone's own fault; it's a disease that is uniquely spread through idiocy, perhaps this Aids day will make people at least a bit more aware.

That is not at all the situation in the third world, where most of the infected reside.

[PanzerJaeger]

Where a condom if you're not with someone you trust explicitly... seems easy enough.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Where a condom if you're not with someone you trust explicitly... seems easy enough.

Good advice, unless of course you are a newborn, haemophiliac or disenfranchised woman.

Not that easy, then.

[Viking]

Where a condom if you're not with someone you trust explicitly... seems easy enough.

Ah, but the act isn't necessarily voluntarily.

[Husar]

What I know is that in certain african countries they have a lot of prostitution and almost everybody involved has it. Or so they said on TV some time ago.

[Slug For A Butt]

You know what? That may make me think twice about visiting a prostitute there.
Shame other potential "victims" there don't feel the same. They have a hand that won't kill them. Use it and live.

[woad&fangs]

Ouch!!!!
As for me I'll just continue following the Woad&Fangs plan of prevention. Thinking that using drugs is stupid and loving girls that are currently unavailable because they are dating other girls

So far so good. HIV Free since '93!!!*

*Technically since '91 but "HIV Free since '91" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

[Kralizec]

What I know is that in certain african countries they have a lot of prostitution and almost everybody involved has it. Or so they said on TV some time ago.

In many African countries male infidelity is the norm- while the wives often have no knowledge, let alone any consent in, how often "their" man sleeps around. The catholic church is often blamed for not "allowing" any condom use, but in my view it wouldn't make any difference if the pope would endorse it since their promiscuity suggests that they don't care what the church says in the first place

I think that ultimately, you can't blame those who are simply uninformed either. I can't say I'm sorry for most of those who were born in the west though, while I wouldn't wish HIV on anyone, the majority of them have noone but themselves to blame.

[Devastatin Dave]

That is not at all the situation in the third world, where most of the infected reside.

LOL, so how do these third worlders get it? Ican't wait to hear the excuses...

[Banquo's Ghost]

LOL, so how do these third worlders get it? Ican't wait to hear the excuses...

A little light reading for you DD.

Globally, around 11% of HIV infections are among babies who acquire the virus from their mothers; 10% result from injecting drug use; 5-10% are due to sex between men; and 5-10% occur in healthcare settings. Sex between men and women accounts for the remaining proportion – around two thirds of new infections.

[Soulforged]

That is not at all the situation in the third world, where most of the infected reside.

The reasons are the same. We've gone as far as to propagate the info about AIDS and prevetion, by using profilactics, by childish songs, which are not particularily good but have catchy frases.

The propaganda pro-prevention in here has taken the shape of the propaganda against drugs, they don't really inform of the consequences or causes of AIDS, and how to prevent them, they just try to force you into using them by subliminal language (i.e. repeat the frase so much that you'll suddenly remember to grab a "rubber"). Totally inneffective if you consider that, though everyone knows of what the propaganda is talking about, the nickname used for "rubber" in it has nothing to do with the name we usually give it, so instantaneous recognition is not posible.

However some might have a point saying that the method is correct. The propaganda is mostly directed at people with no education at all, so the government, as usual, think that a certain part of the subdits are essentialy stupid and can be ordered to do something like you'll do with children.

[Geoffrey S]

That is not at all the situation in the third world, where most of the infected reside.

It's not? I'll grant that facilities in the third world where Aids is a larger problem than here are abysmal; but also, that Aids is spread through unsafe sex, either directly or passed on to children, through poor hospital supplies, and in general by large portions of the third world (in particular, sub-Saharan Africa) flat-out denying the existence of Aids or the ways in which it is spread. The spread of Aids is caused by issues which are either those of mentality or medical supply problems which could be solved relatively cheaply. Let alone in the West, where I don't think there's any excuse.

So, like I said, it's a disease spread through idiocy (not merely in the population, also in politicians) and a lack of awareness.

[Viking]

It's not? I'll grant that facilities in the third world where Aids is a larger problem than here are abysmal; but also, that Aids is spread through unsafe sex, either directly or passed on to children, through poor hospital supplies, and in general by large portions of the third world (in particular, sub-Saharan Africa) flat-out denying the existence of Aids or the ways in which it is spread. The spread of Aids is caused by issues which are either those of mentality or medical supply problems which could be solved relatively cheaply. Let alone in the West, where I don't think there's any excuse.

So, like I said, it's a disease spread through idiocy (not merely in the population, also in politicians) and a lack of awareness.

You said:

Aids (and STDs in general) is gained through stupidity and someone's own fault

Ultimately, everything that happens to a person is his own fault, without there being any stupidity present. Unawareness and stupidity is not anywhere near the same.

[Husar]

I'm not stupid because I want to, how can that be my fault?

[Geoffrey S]

Fine, criticise the phrasing rather than the message. How about "lack of awareness or someone's own fault.". Happier now?

[PanzerJaeger]

AIDS is spread due in large part to a lack of understanding and education, not just in the third world but in the West as well.

One of my good friends was telling me about his new boyfriend and I told him to make sure and be safe if they started messing around and get him tested for AIDS before they went all the way. He said "Oh its ok, he's muscular, he doesn't look like he has AIDS at all." AIDS doesn't have a look. Sure people in the advanced stages who have been living without an efficient immune system look unhealthy, but people can carry HIV and AIDS for years without even knowing it.

And that leads me to my second point. AIDS isn't just a gay thing, not in Africa and not in the West. IIRC, the group in the US with the biggest % of AIDS is single black women. So its very important to get your partner tested.

But its obvious, at least in the Western World, that HIV isn't spread through long term, monogamous relationships; but through quick, spontaneous encounters - be they hookups, prostitution, ect. So, always use a condom!

If you just have to experience the sweet, sweet feeling of unprotected sex, get yourself a serious girl/boyfriend.

[Viking]

Fine, criticise the phrasing rather than the message.

Uh, no. Your message gives idiocy much credit. Sure this is the cause in the west, though AFAIK not in the Africa were most HIV/AIDS infected reside. Idiocy? Pfft.