To raise awareness of World Aids Day on the Isle of Wight, Jim Edwards, Kate Suitor and Linda Waterhouse will be at The IW College on 1st December in the Foyer from 11-2pm raising awareness, giving out red ribbons, condoms and leaflets to members of staff and students.  

The college theme will be ‘Tell your Parents about WAD.’

This year’s World Aids Day on 1st December 2008 has a national theme of ‘Respect and Protect’ which encourages everyone to treat people living with HIV fairly, respect their confidentiality and challenge prejudice wherever it occurs.

Respect themselves and their partners by always practicing safe sex to protect their sexual health and encouraging people, young and old, to find out the facts about HIV and take action to stop its spread.

On the island the Sexual Health Promotion team have also decided to highlight the particular risks for older people.

“Older people, gay or straight, are a high-risk group although they may not realise it, “ said Jim Edwards, sexual health outreach worker for the gay community.  

“They become vulnerable  to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections often as a result of a relationship breakdown, bereavement or divorce. They may suddenly find themselves embarking on new relationships whilst in a state of emotional upheaval and with no recent experience of condom-use or current knowledge around HIV and STIs.  

We find that they are vulnerable, out of practice, and often too embarrassed to seek help with these issues.”

Sarah Stringer, NHS Sexual Health Promotion Co-ordinator comments 

“HIV is a virus which attacks and damages the immune system over a period of time.  People with the virus may become susceptible to illnesses that a healthy immune system would be able to fight off.  With approximately 7,000 people newly diagnosed in the UK last year, it is vital that everyone, young and old, understands what Aids is and the action they need to take to stop the spread. “

“Our aim this year is to increase awareness of HIV and STIs amongst older people and encourage those who feel they have been at risk to get screened or tested. Testing for HIV is a simple blood test, and is highly confidential. You no longer need to tell insurance companies if you have had an HIV test.  In the UK today 25,000 people don’t know that they’re carrying the HIV virus.

For more information go to www.wish-net.co.uk or the official Worlds Aids Day website www.worldaidsday.org