World AIDS Day is held on December 1st every year.

It is a chance to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. On this day, people wear a red ribbon to show support for those who have HIV or AIDS and also to remember the people that have lost their lives.

Last year, Living Positive Victoria held their World AIDS Day event at Federation Square. The event is a global theme of ‘Getting to Zero’. Australia and the world are working towards getting to ‘zero deaths, zero new infections and zero stigma and discrimination’. Two keynote speakers, Richard Keane and Sarah Feagan shared their experiences of living with HIV.

It’s important to note the difference between HIV and AIDS and to define what it actually is. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the immune system and renders the body unable to fight off disease as effectively as it should.

To have AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), you must have HIV because AIDS only develops when HIV has caused major damage to the immune system. This can lead to secondary diseases such as tuberculosis and certain types of cancer. However, not everyone who has HIV develops AIDS.

Unfortunately, there is no cure as yet however researchers around the world are working on this.

However, HIV is able to be managed by combination antiretroviral therapies which slow down and halt the progression of HIV. It is more than possible for people to live long and successful lives providing they use medication correctly. Richard was first diagnosed as HIV positive at the age of 19 in 1989.

‘Initially, I was given only five years to live. I guess my health was strong enough to be able to get through that and after effective treatments came to Australia in 1996, my health improved dramatically.’

Prior to 1996, ‘there were no real effective treatments’.

Richard says that after effective HIV treatments came to Australia, there was a ‘big turnaround in the dropping number of deaths and also the number of people presenting with AIDS as opposed to HIV’.

Research from the last five years has shown that the treatment is in fact so effective, that people with HIV are unlikely to transmit HIV whilst on treatment.

There have been very few new AIDS diagnoses, which is the very proof of the fact that the treatment works.

Sarah was also quite young when she discovered that she had HIV.

‘I was diagnosed in 2008 at the age of 21. I contracted it from my boyfriend at the time and I struggled with the diagnosis. I was very sick and eventually I developed AIDS.’

Unfortunately, Sarah developed AIDS because of her struggle to accept what had happened to her. She initially refused treatment and so her HIV became worse.

‘But all is well now. I am in good health and I have healthy relationships.’

Richard, who is the Vice President of Living Positive Victoria, is more than passionate about the organisation and what it does for people out there living with HIV and AIDS.

‘For me, it’s very important to participate because I’m somebody who’s out as being HIV positive. It’s very hard for many people to disclose. So I think it’s really important for people like me to use the opportunity to speak about issues. And I think also too, not to just talk about what’s happening today, but also with an eye on the history and not forgetting those people that have gone already. And making sure that no one is left behind in the race to end HIV.’

Sarah has also made strong progress with helping others in their journey with HIV and AIDS. As a newly inducted member on the Positive Womens’ Board of Directors, it is safe to say that she will lead other young women living with HIV, into living a fulfilling life.

‘I was voted in by the community but, it’s hard because there aren’t many women my age who are open about it.

‘A lot of women can’t accept it. It’s somewhat easier for gay men who are more connected to the community, to cope with being diagnosed with HIV, than it is for straight men and women.

‘I met a young lady once, who said to me ‘even if you don’t think you don’t need the services, use them anyway’. She was a very wise lady.’

For those who have newly been diagnosed, Richard and Sarah both have their advice:

Richard says, ‘Contact Living Positive Victoria and speak to a staff member. Maybe come into our Phoenix workshop for newly diagnosed people, as that covers all sorts of issues like speaking to a doctor about what HIV is. You also get to talk about treatments and about a whole range of issues in a really confidential and supportive environment.’

He hopes ‘that all positive people live a fulfilling life and participate fully in society.’

Sarah, chilled and laid-back says ‘not to stress. It’s not a death sentence. It’s still possible to live a long and happy life.

‘Hopefully one day there will be zero diagnoses and more solid education and clarity about it all.’

To show your support or to get involved in helping the cause head to Living Positive Victoria’s website and become a member, whether that is as someone who is or is not HIV positive:

www.livingpositivevictoria.org.au

Or look into other organisations such as Straight Arrows, Positive Women or the Victorian AIDS Council.