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[Flash 10 is required to watch video]
Thursday, December 1st is World AIDS Day. For your viewing pleasure, here is a brief review of HIV in ASL.
Here is the English interpretation of this video:
HIV is a disease that impacts the body’s immune system. This means that if you have an illness, such as a cold or a type of cancer, your body loses it’s ability to recover. This illness could remain in your body and even lead to death if untreated. HIV can lead to a syndrome called AIDS, which essentially means that your body has become weakened by the virus called HIV. There are several causes of HIV, but the two most common are unprotected sex and sharing needles for injection drug use with other people. Most people have no symptoms. Some people may have flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, fever, and chills. After being HIV+ for several years, some people may experience weight-loss, memory-loss, and loss of energy. Decades ago there was no treatment for HIV. However, in the last 15 years or so many new medications have been developed to treat HIV. Now there are as many as 30 or 40 different medications which can be used in combination to mitigate the effects of the virus. Getting tested for HIV is an important way you can prevent acquiring the virus. Every person, if they are sexually active or using injection drugs, should get tested. Also, using condoms during any sexual activity is an important mode of prevention. Finally, if you are using injection drugs, do not share your needles with other people. Many years ago, in the absence of research and medication, people who were HIV+ could not expect to live a long life. Now, HIV has morphed from an acute disease to a chronic one, and people living with HIV can lead long and productive lives with appropriate medical care.
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