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By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

DECEMBER 1

World AIDS Day awareness walk taking place in Red Deer this Sunday

Nov 29, 2024 | 3:58 PM

This December 1 marks World AIDS Day, an initiative intended to improve awareness of a disease that has impacted more than 35 million people worldwide in its history.

Red Deer’s Turning Point Society and Shining Mountain Living Community Services are teaming up to host an HIV/AIDS awareness walk to mark the day. It will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at Shining Mountains (4925 46 Street) and finish at City Hall Park. Stew and bannock will be provided.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) occurs when HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), a virus that weakens the immune system by infecting and killing white blood cells, advances to a point where infections and diseases can be fatal.

HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sex with someone who is HIV-positive; receiving contaminated blood; or sharing contaminated needles, syringes, surgical equipment or other sharp instruments. It is found in a variety of body fluids, but cannot be transmitted through sweat, saliva or urine.

According to the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR), an estimated 62,050 Canadians are living with HIV, and 2,400 acquire HIV per year.

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In 2022, Canada saw a 24.9 per cent increase in new HIV diagnoses compared to 2021, CANFAR reports. Officials with the organization state that this kind of rise in new cases has not been seen in more than a decade.

The following tools can be used to prevent HIV contraction:

• Condoms: affordable and effective for preventing sexually-transmitted HIV or other STIs.
• Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PREP): A daily medication taken to stop HIV from establishing itself in the body.
• Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): An emergency pill that can be taken within 72 hours of a potential exposure and must be taken daily afterward for 28 days.
• Undetectable = Untransmittable: When someone with HIV is on effective treatment, they can maintain an undetectable viral load, meaning they cannot sexually transmit the virus.
• Harm reduction: These methods provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment to educate people on how to make informed decisions about their drug use and sexual practices.

CANFAR points out on its website that stigma around HIV/AIDS remains a “significant challenge” for Canadians living with the condition. A list of myths versus facts for those unfamiliar with the virus is available on its website.