South Tyneside Council lighting the Town Hall Red for World Aids Day 2024 #Rocktheribbon
The local authority with the support from South Tyneside Sexual Health have organised for the Town to be lit red in support and remembrance of all the individuals across the world who have died from AIDS. The Red Ribbon & colour is an internationally recognised symbol for AIDS awareness across the globe.
The Town Hall will be lit up red on Sunday 1st December.
What is World AIDS Day?
World AIDS Day takes place on 1 December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.
What is HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. ‘Immunodeficiency’ refers to the weakening of the immune system by the virus.
HIV has been passed on between humans for many decades but was only identified in the early 80s.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a collection of illnesses (‘syndrome’) caused by a virus people pick up (‘acquire’) that makes their immune system weak (‘immune deficiency’).
You can’t get an AIDS diagnosis unless you’re already HIV positive.
AIDS or late-stage HIV?
In the 1980s and early 90s, most people with HIV were eventually diagnosed with AIDS.
Now, thanks to modern antiretroviral treatment, very few people in the UK develop serious HIV-related illnesses. The term AIDS isn’t used much by UK doctors. Instead they talk about late-stage or advanced HIV.
Untreated HIV and transmission
If left untreated, infection with HIV progresses through a series of stages: from flu-like seroconversion illness, through infections associated with the symptomatic stage, leading to late-stage HIV or AIDS.
If someone with HIV has a detectable viral load, they can pass on HIV through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, anal mucus and breast milk.
HIV is not passed on by spitting, sneezing or coughing, nor by kissing or general social contact.
HIV can’t survive for very long once it’s outside the human body.
Undetectable viral load
Studies have shown that a person who’s on effective treatment who has an undetectable viral load can’t pass on HIV.
Find out about our 2030 campaign
For further information on testing for HIV please contact South Tyneside Sexual Health on 0191 4028168