stompAIDS | AIDS & YOUTH

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and is caused by the deadly Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS destroys the body’s natural defences (immune system) until the body is left defenceless against infection and eventually causing death.

AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. There is currently no cure for AIDS so the only sure way to avoid AIDS and HIV infection is via prevention and increasing your knowledge about the disease. You must know how it is transmitted, the risky behaviours that may increase the chances of getting infected and how to avoid temptations that could lead to contracting AIDS or other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

    • How AIDS Is Transmitted
    • High Risk Behaviours
    • Condoms Can Offer Protection
    • HIV/AIDS Statistics

AIDS is one of the many Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) that is spread by certain body fluids such as blood and semen.

AIDS is also transmitted by:

    • sexual intercourse with an infected person
    • sharing needles with an infected intravenous drug user
    • blood transfusion from a HIV-positive person
    • an infected mother to a child during pregnancy or during childbirth

AIDS is NOT spread by:

    • mosquitoes and other biting insects
    • sharing toilet seats
    • social contact like shaking hands
    • using the same swimming pool as an infected person
    • touching people infected with HIV
    • sharing food and utensils with HIV-positive people

There is currently no cure for AIDS and the best way to avoid contracting HIV is to avoid high-risk behaviours.

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An example of a high-risk behaviour is having multiple sex partners. The more sex partners you have the higher your risk of contracting HIV.

Even having just one steady sex partner is no guarantee against contracting HIV as you may not know about your partner’s sexual history.

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Using condoms correctly and consistently can lower the risk of contracting STI/HIV. However, incorrect usage or storage of condoms can reduce their effectiveness.

For example, using condoms together with oil-based lubricants like Vaseline or exposing condoms to heat may increase the likelihood for the condom to tear.

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In 2006, about 39.5 million people are living with HIVAIDS around the world, out of which 7.8 million are from South and South-East Asia.
(Source : www.unaids.org) By the end of 2006, 3,060 Singaporeans have been infected with HIV. 50 Singaporeans between 20 and 29 years old were found to be HIV positive that year and some of them were probably infected during their teenage years. Since 1991, heterosexual transmission (sex between males and females) has been the most common form of HIV transmission among Singaporeans.
Click here to view actual statistics
(Source : www.moh.gov.sg)