..worlds.aids.day..

Did you know that  each year around 2 million people die from AIDS-related illnesses???

Thats something that we all should be aware of. 

AIDS  (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ) is serious and is caused by HIV,  HIV is a virus that gradually attacks immune system cells. As HIV progressively damages these cells, the body becomes more vulnerable to infections, which it will have difficulty in fighting off.  It is at the point of very advanced HIV infection that a person is said to have AIDS. It can be years before HIV has damaged the immune system enough for AIDS to develop.

There is no cure for AIDS so the only way to stay safe is to be aware of how HIV is transmitted and how to prevent HIV infection. 

HIV can be transmitted in three main ways:

• Sexual transmission
• Transmission through blood
• Mother-to-child transmission

The best way to prevent yourself from contracting HIV/AIDs is to:

• remain abstinent (not have sex at all)
• Be faithful to one partner or have fewer partners
• Most importantly, wrap it up!! meaning use condoms every time!

Its important to read about and educate yourself and others about HIV & AIDS not only just today but always. 

BE SAFE PEOPLE!!! & dont forget to WRAP IT UP!!!

[source: http://www.avert.org/prevent-hiv.htm]

..serious.saturday..

I was having a random conversation with my two older cousins about young girls who are having sex at such a young age nowadays & it disturbed me to know that my cousin actually knew a young girl who had a friend who already had sex more than just a few times and she was only 12-years old.  

That seriously disturbed my soul. At 12 yrs old I still had similac on my breath (lol, ok im only joking but...) i know for sure I was still in a training bra, not only that but the thought of even holding hands with a boy was absolutely grotesque to me. There had to have been at least another three years before I even started remotely liking boys. At 12 I may have had a crush on a boy; but i was too much of a punk to even approach him let alone have sex with him (that had to be the farthest thing away from my mind!).

These young girls becoming sexually active and popping out babies like gum balls out of a 25-cent gum machine seriously needs to come to an end. What business do you have making babies when you are a child yourself? I could ramble on about this topic for hours but I wont. I'm just going to end by saying this; regardless of what age you are HIV/AIDS is REAL and it can KILL you! WRAP IT UP!!!

-vincia 

click here to find out more facts about HIV/AIDS among African American Women