Global Threat of HIV/AIDS Against Women

How much do you, a woman, really love yourself? How much do you really know about HIV and AIDS? How much do you talk it up with your girlfriends about safety? We always look out for each other to keep ourselves from physical, emotional, and spiritual harm. What about sexual harm? Sure, we walk with girlfriends to keep ourselves from being harmed; we fight against domestic violence. But did you know that millions of women are dying from HIV--a very preventable virus? Too many people, men and women, are carrying this virus and don't even know it. Women are carriers and don't realize it. Too many people worldwide--many millions--have become infected and keep on infecting. It is not a gay disease--it is an "everyone" disease. Don't be fooled into believing that using proper protection will stop the spread--it will slow it down, but it is not foolproof. Don't be lulled to believing that other sexual practices outside of normal sexual contact are safe--in fact--they are the worst, most dangerous and easiest transmission methods. If you have a partner--has he/she been tested? Do you know their results? Have you yourself been tested? If you have a new partner and want to be intimate--suggestion: both of you go get tested--get each other's confidential number--when results come back go together and view the OTHER's results. Too many people NEVER go back to get theirs out of fear, and in doing so, put innocent people at risk of becoming infected. Also, if they cannot verify their status in a satisfactorily (testing is the only way) manner, then you must protect yourself, just like not allowing yourself to be hit by a car. Keeping yourself out of harm's way is vital to your safety, your survival, your dignity, and above all, your self-esteem. Other people need you around to care for them--children, friends, family, co-workers. Please don't let impulse lead to needless exposure to an incurable, fatal virus. Take a local HIV/AIDS education class--learn for yourself. Many countries in Africa and Asia will lose 50 percent of their population to this dreaded virus. 9 Million children are now orphaned because their parents died from AIDS. Please get tested and don't leave such a sad legacy to your own children. They need you for years to come.