Celebrating World AIDS Day
TBYS wants to pause and recognize World AIDS Day, celebrated worldwide on December 1. The observance was founded in 1988, and according to the United Nations, it has become one of the most recognized international health days. World AIDS Day’s goal is to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. This year’s theme was “equalize.” The theme was meant to be a call to action to actively address the inequalities that are obstructing the end of the AIDS epidemic. The 2022 World AIDS Day report by UNAIDS focused …
The Effects of HIV Stigma and Discrimination
Today approximately 1.2 Americans are living with HIV. Luckily due to advances in medicines and treatments, HIV does not have to be the death sentence it once was, nor does it have to progress to AIDS. However, of those 1.2 Americans living with HIV, 13% of them are infected with the virus and do not know it. There has been a decline in transmission over the last few decades, and based on this, we know that education and safe sex practices work to stop the spread. By 2022 we will be more than accustomed to living with viruses in our midst. As …
5 Dating Apps for HIV People
As an HIV-positive person, dating can be challenging as you want to find love, but maintain privacy about your status so you can live a happy and stress-free life with your prospective partner. You have to be as honest as possible about your medical condition and, as you know, talking about such a condition can be very challenging. Others may not fully understand what you’re going through, and you will need to disclose as much information as possible before engaging in any sexual activity. Thankfully, there are many dating apps available to alleviate the fears of HIV-positive people as they …
New Year, New Opportunities: Breakthroughs in HIV Research
HIV was first identified in the 1980s and has been a constant subject of research and debate. While there wasn’t much information available regarding this disease back then, we have a wealth of information readily available to us now, from when it began to how it causes illness in humans. Since its origination, over 700,000 people have lost their lives to this infection, and 1.7 million more have been infected by it. Global Impact of HIV The world took a significant hit when people became infected by HIV in 2019 alone. Approximately 38 million people worldwide live with HIV in their systems, …
How Alcohol Abuse Can Lead to Depression
It’s no secret that college students are known for drinking to excess. But what many don’t know are the links between alcohol abuse and depression. Alcohol changes the brain’s chemistry, and when someone drinks too much regularly, they’re more likely to develop depression or other mood disorders. It may be hard at first, but you should talk with your doctor about how you can cut back on drinking before it leads to something worse. Connections Between Depression and Alcoholism Alcohol abuse and depression disorders have a two-way relationship. Both can coexist and are prevalent psychiatric conditions that frequently occur together; each …
The Advancements in HIV Treatment
HIV is still a threat, even though advancements in HIV treatments can better help those who are infected. HIV outbreaks have been reported in groups that are already marginalized and stigmatized. With new tools preventing infection and reducing transmission, we have come a long way and continue to eradicate HIV. But with these advances, there has also come a wave of misinformation about how people can contract the virus or get tested for it. So we want to outline some critical information about these treatments, when getting tested is necessary, and how people can learn more about their status. PrEP and …
The National Holiday You Should Care About
Since 1995, June 27th has been designated as National HIV Testing Day—NHTD—in the United States. The main objectives of this essential day are to emphasize and encourage people to: Get tested for HIV. Know their HIV status. Get linked to care and treatment services. Why Is This National Day So Important? Early HIV testing is a crucial element in slowing the spread of HIV infection and saving the lives of those who test positive. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that they’ve been infected with HIV and are unlikely to take the necessary precautions that help prevent the spread to others. On the other …
HIV Support Groups in Fort Worth
Support. A small word with so many meanings and implications. It may seem like the whole world is suffering right now, and it can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment for those with existing health conditions who still need support for their challenges. Despite a worldwide pandemic, it’s ok to ask for help, whether that means mental health support or HIV support in Fort Worth. …
COVID’s Impact on HIV
COVID is changing humanity in ways that would have been hard to imagine before the onset of the pandemic. Almost every aspect of life has shifted. Shops are now scanning clients’ temperatures, schools are social distancing, and a large swath of the workforce has transitioned to working from home. However, there’s no arguing that the health sector has been the most impacted. …
Men Seeking Men Seeking Help
September 27th marks National Men’s HIV Awareness Day, a day with particular importance. Statistics show that gay men are the most affected by HIV, according to CDC data, with a disproportionate representation compared to the rest of the community. Because of this fact, it’s essential that gay and bisexual men both understand why this is the case, as well as what methods they can use to avoid their risk for catching the virus or having it negatively impact their lives. …