The Sun - 'We've All Got HIV'
posted: 26/11/2009
Today’s Sun newspaper headline – ‘We've all got HIV... it's not the death sentence that it used to be’ may surprise some of us, because of the Sun’s often bad reporting of HIV. We welcome the conversion of HIV stigma sinners. There's still some room for improvement - the sub-heading is negative ('it's not the death sentence that it used to be'), although all three people's personal stories are positive about getting on with the rest of their lives.
The Sun's report and headline are about three people describing about their HIV experiences. There’s Steve Unsworth, 43, who was diagnosed aged 27 in Manchester, but now lives in London; Gary Whitaker, 33, a Londoner diagnosed last year; and Sarah Richards, 30 who lives in the Midlands and was diagnosed during her pregnancy.
LOOKING at the pictures of these three healthy-looking Brits, which one would you guess has HIV?
The answer is ALL of them.
The viral illness - which can lead to AIDS - is no longer as problematic to treat as it was 20 years ago. A person diagnosed in the UK today can expect to live into their 70s.
More Brits than ever are living with HIV - passed on through unprotected sex or sharing needles. Yet, shockingly, more than one in four DON'T realise they have the virus.
In the week leading up to World Aids Day next Tuesday, doctors and celebs are calling for greater awareness of the illness.
At a recent star-studded Aids gala hosted by Sir Elton John, 62, the singer said: "We are finding that too many young people are not listening to what we are saying. I'm afraid people get a little complacent about the disease by going out and having unsafe sex."
Although HIV is traditionally associated with the gay community, cases among heterosexuals are increasing in the UK.
Deborah Jack, chief executive of National Aids Trust (NAT) said: "Too often I meet people who thought HIV only affected 'other people'. But sadly they found out the reality when they were diagnosed themselves. Everyone needs to be aware of HIV and make sure they protect themselves and others."
Here, we speak to three Brits about the reality of living with HIV.
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