AIDS (Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome) and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) are often paired up. Together, they are the reason for the red ribbon symbol and the celebration of December as World AIDS Awareness Month, according to Everydayhealth.com.

This is one of many time periods aimed at educating people about AIDS and HIV. During December, people are encouraged to raise money and awareness that is still extremely needed. There is no cure for AIDS, and it can be life-threatening due to its interference with the body’s ability to fight infections and other diseases. Though it is categorized as “rare” and is preventable, 1.7 million people became infected and 690,000 people died in 2019 alone, according to https://www.hiv.gov/.

There is treatment that can benefit people with AIDS/HIV to live long and happy lives. To find a cure, scientists need to know what causes it, what part of the body is most affected, and what’s changed. They do know that AIDS infects immune cells and has a high mutation rate. It hides in cells and destroys the very cells designed to destroy it. Because of these reasons there has yet to be a cure.

Medications like antiretroviral therapy (ART) control and prevent further complications. ART is a combination of drugs that stops HIV from replicating and the goal of reducing a person’s viral load to an undetectable amount.

To raise awareness for World AIDS Awareness Month, people hold events, set up educational stands, and talk about the lost lives and even some celebrities that lost their fight with aids which include Rock Hudson, Anthony Perkins, and most notably Freddie Mercury from the rock band Queen.

What you can do as of right now to help is donate. Check out this article to find ten places that will use your donations to help fight AIDS: http://tiny.cc/u5u4tz. Another way to support the cause is to spread awareness on social media. HIV/AIDS is a topic that needs to be talked about and have people educated on to show the fight is far from over.