THE FREEDOM BOOK - Cambridge University Students' Union

24 CUSU LGBT The Freedom Book 2008HIV & AidsRecent statistics reveal that an estimated 58,300 adults were living withHIV in the UK at the end of 2004, of whom 19,700 (34%) were unawareof their infection. In 2005, there were at least 6,727 new diagnoses of HIVand in 2004, the most recent year for which full statistics are available,over 7,100 people were diagnosed, the highest ever figure to date.HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus attacks thebody’s immune system and eventually those infected with HIV can developAIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. You can’t catchAIDS; only people that are HIV positive may eventually progress to AIDS.HIV is carried in semen, vaginal fluid, blood and breast milk. Itcan be caught by having unprotected sex, sharing needles, bloodtransfusions (in some countries where blood is not screened) andbreast feeding.It cannot be caught by touching, sharing soap, sitting on the toilet,working next to someone that is HIV positive…There is no cure or vaccine for HIV. There are some drugs which can helppeople living with HIV to slow their progression to AIDS, and there is agreat deal of medical research in the field. However, most of the currenttreatments have significant side effects. It’s important to take the risk ofHIV seriously.If you are a student living with HIV, CUSU’s HIV & Sexual Health Officercan give confidential information on support and services available.There is a termly meeting of the CUSU HIV Support Group on, or as nearas possible, to the first Thursday of the fifth week of each term: e-mailhiv-sexualhealth@cusu.cam.ac.uk in confidence for detail. DHIVERSE, thelocal HIV and sexual health charity, also provides a range of confidentialservices for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS including counselling,peer support groups, hardship funds, information and advocacyand complementary therapies.