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Cover story: Who's afraid of AIDS? Part 1

Who's afraid of AIDS?

Despite public education and volumes written about the subject, many people are still clueless about AIDS. To commemorate World Aids Day on 1 Dec, we debunk some popular myths and look at how the disease has affected society. Plus what you should know about other sexually transmitted diseases

After more than two decades, doctors here are still battling ignoring concerning HIV and its dreaded and often deadly offspring, AIDS.

The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV weakens the body's immune defenses by destroying CD4 (T-cell) lymphocytes. These are white blood cells that protect against attacks by bacteria, viruses and other harmful pathogens.

AIDS, or acquired immune defiency syndrme, is the final and most serious stage of HIV infection. Since its emergence here and around the world in the early- and mid-1980s, HIV has acquired a shield of horror and mystery, so much so that the truth often becomes obscured, says Dr Lee Cheng Chuan, senior consultant and head of the HIV Programme at the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC), Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

"There are unfortunately a large number of myths surrounding HIV and AIDS here, manuy of them damaging and dangerous," he says.

One of these is the belief that only "dirty old men" or "homos" get it, leaving clean, healthy Singaporeans largely safe from the disease. "The fact is this - the virus does not discriminate, so we shouldn't either. HIV can infect anyone of any inclination, from any gender and age groups and across occupations. Anyne who practices unsafe sex is at higher risk of contracting HIV," says Dr Lee firmly.

He is quick to debunk another common belief - that the young are less susceptible because they possess strong immune systems.

"This is an extremely dangerous myth because it excuses reckless behaviour. When people are young and at their prime, they think they are invulnerable. They dont think of death often, so they tend not to take steps to protect themselves," laments Dr Lee, who has 12 years of experience managing HIV and AIDS.

The truth is quite the opposite, as statistics here clearly show. In 2006, of the 357 new cases of HIV infection, more than half were aged between 30 and 49 years of age. More significantly, just under one-fifth - 57 cases - were aged between 20 and 29 years of age.

As for the myth that HIV sufferers are sexual "deviants" such as homosexuals, Dr Lee has this simple refute: About two thirds of all cases occurred via heterosexual sex.

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In our part 2 we will reveal that HIV isnt the only sexually transmitted disease to worry about. Do you know what are they? We reveal soon. Check back :)

The more the merrier part 2

Part 2
Welcome back! I left off at changes in the last entry, but I’ll start on something slightly different this time.

When you truly love someone, you would want nothing lesser than the best for them. And maybe not taking the bait and falling into the trap of the devil is the best thing that you can do for them. While the short term reward may be sweet, pleasurable, but think about the long term consequences. Should you contract any disease, say, HIV, and unwittingly pass it to your loved one, can you live with the guilt? Can you live knowing the person whom you love so deeply hates you to your bones

I know I will be living a life worse than death, with the pain that HIV brings being the cherry on the cake. (a very rotten cake) what about you? Would you ever want to live a life like that? A life filled with pain and regret? Regretting having bestowed upon someone else so much pain because of your moment of folly.

Do not be that person. Think before you act. And remember, the more may not be the merrier.

The more the merrier?

As promised, we are back with our entries. Keep those comments coming in!

The more the merrier? Think again..

The more the merrier. I believe many, or all of us, have used this phase before, on many different occasions. For example,, money, friends, Louis Vuitton bags, Gucci wallets… (ok, you get the drift). But can this phrase be applied to everything? I don’t think so. One thing is definite, it cannot be applied to relationships. Especially when more than emotions are involved. (I believe you get what I am trying to drive at.)

We’ve all heard the stories of this faithful girlfriend (or boyfriend) mysteriously contracting a sexually transmitted disease when they have remained faithful to their partners. So how did that happen? Yes, I heard you. Somebody’s been unfaithful. Think about it, is your moment of lust worth the risk that you are putting yourself and your partner in?

The answer is no.

We cannot deny the fact that most of us are selfish. How many of us will actually spare a thought for others when temptations lay before us, waiting to be taken? I admit, I probably would not spare much thought. ( not till the damage has been done that is) however, it is high time that we change this behaviour.

Why? I’ll let you in on it when you read the entry. For now, just know the only thing that is constant in life is changes. And there are changes that are waiting for you to be made.

stompAIDS! 30th Nov!

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We made it happened. And we thank you for your presence for stomping AIDS with us. Without all of you, this event is almost impossible. Remember us always, because there is always a lesson to learn. This blog will continue to serve you with information that you needed. If you ever need us, just leave an comment, anonymous or not, we are here for you!

Thank you once again for making this possible!

Say yes to peer pressure? Part 2.

I’m back, when I ended off my last entry, I promised to talk about something that is close to our hearts, so here goes…

It is important to put yourself first. We have seen too many cases of girls who give in to their boyfriend’s request to have sex because they are so afraid that they will leave if they don’t.

Have you heard about what happens after the guy gets their way? If we live in fairy tale land, everyone will live happily ever after, but we live in a real world. And the real world is cruel, many of them bail out after they have succeeded in their conquests. (guys, I hear your protests, and I am sorry for the stereotype, I know not all of you are like that)

We have also heard of people who have sex with others just so that they don’t get ostracized. But let me ask you something. Is it worth it？

I know fitting in is of utmost importance to most of us, but keep this in mind. Do not ever agree to do something that requires you to compromise your beliefs, or anything that you are unprepared for. Trust me, you are way out of the league for those who have been trying to poison you.

There’s something I believe in. they won’t have a saying if there is no truth in it.

There’s this saying, say no to peer pressure.

Say yes to peer pressure?

Say yes to peer pressure? I don’t think so…

Say no to peer pressure. That sounds familiar doesn’t it? I think I’ve heard that phrase in a no-smoking campaign sometime back. But let’s face it, how many times have we agreed to a friend’s request just because you do not know how to say no?

When someone is important to you, you will want to keep that person as happy as you possibly can, even if it means you have to go the extra mile. But before you agree to do something for someone else, think about what is in it for you. I am not telling you to be mercenary and expect rewards. What I am talking about here is looking after your own welfare. Would you have to survive on plain bread for the next month just because you want to buy that Christian Dior wallet which everyone else in class owns?

Everyone has felt pressured into doing something before. Here is my two cents worth, do not do something just because everyone else is doing it. Embrace yourself,, do not do things that you are not willing to do.

Just because all your friends are talking about their sex life doesn’t mean you have to give in to your boyfriend’s relentless requests to sleep with him.

I will end off here, but I will be talking about something that is close to our hearts in the next entry so do anticipate the next entry.