World Aids Day is on 1 December 2023. It is an opportunity for us as a global community to come together in solidarity with people living with HIV and to remember those who have been lost to it. You can support World AIDS Day by wearing the red ribbon. This is a symbol of support and a way to fundraise. You can also show your support by talking about the day, with other people and online. The National AIDS Trust have resources that you can download and use.

World AIDS Day is a global movement to unite people in the fight against HIV and AIDS. In the UK, more than 105,000 people are living with HIV. Globally, an estimated 38 million people live with the virus. More than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS related illnesses over the past 40 years, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. ‘Immunodeficiency’ refers to the weakening of the immune system by the virus. 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….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.

The Terrence Higgins Trust is one of the main UK charities providing support and guidance around HIV. It clearly explains everything you might want to know from being tested, to being diagnosed, to living with HIV and telling other people. Their website is an invaluable source of information and resources. The NHS Living with HIV/AIDS is a page with a lot of useful information and resources around living with HIV

If you would like to support The Terrance Higgens Trust this World AIDS Day please check out their website for how you can help.

AIDS/HIV has been a huge taboo. People living with this have been discriminated against, experience unacceptable prejudice and intimidation. If you are living with HIV or are the friend, family member or loved one of someone with HIV you might find it useful to speak to a professional about how you are feeling and the difficulties you are experiencing. There are many myths about AIDS/HIV and as a counsellor, I specialise in this area and can help you, your loved ones, family and friends to work through the difficulties you endure.

I offer Psychotherapy and counselling, EMDR and Clinical Supervision. If you are struggling with any issue and would like to make an appointment with me please call me on 07843 813 537 or fill in the form on the Contact Page, if I doesn’t answer I am probably in a session, please leave me a message and I will call you back as soon as I can. For more information about me please take a look at the About Paul Page, Frequently Asked Questions Page and The Counselling Services Page.

Other useful blogs on this website

Living with HIV and Mental Health Support

Living with HIV Counselling Support

World AIDS Day Thursday 1 December