Thinking about HIV/AIDS: One day is not enough

  • Published
  • By Maj. Robert O’Connell
  • 59th Medical Operations Squadron
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  My mother often says that something as important as recognizing mothers deserves more than one day per year. And she is right. Mothers are nurturing, unifying, and pacifying figures throughout the world.

At the opposite end of the goodness spectrum lies HIV/AIDS. This global plague destroys, divides and destabilizes communities everywhere it touches. Indeed, HIV is the only medical condition ever identified by the United Nations Security Council as a threat to global stability.

Today is Annual World AIDS Day. This year’s theme is “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise,” referring to numerous pledges made by nations to provide resources toward the fight against AIDS. Like Mothers’ Day, World AIDS Day is too short to pay appropriate respect to an event of such gravity.

So what would I impart to you on this important occasion?

The reality of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic is stark, “Armageddon-like” according to one author.  At the end of 2005, it is estimated that 40.3 million people will be infected and living with HIV.

To some extent, having people living with the virus is a success story because advances in treatment are helping many patients live longer. But 2005 still saw 4.9 million new HIV infections, and 3.1 million AIDS deaths. That’s one death every 10 seconds. But these numbers can seem impersonal, abstract.

You may ask, what does this have to do with me?

HIV/AIDS is relevant to the U.S. Air Force community because it has not spared us. Over the years, 1,405 U.S. Air Force personnel, our colleagues, of nearly every rank and AF specialty, have developed HIV infection during their service. Nearly half of these people have died from their infection. Often these deaths are not publicized as HIV-related. 

I recently attended a funeral for one of my patients who had died from AIDS-related complications. As family members and loved ones eulogized this cherished father and veteran, I reflected how veiled are the effects of HIV to most people: of all the people at that funeral, only the patient’s widow and our clinic personnel knew about his HIV infection. 

Currently, 150 active duty U.S. Air Force members are known to be HIV positive. Fortunately, most remain healthy enough to continue serving. Here at Wilford Hall Medical Center, the HIV unit cares for these 150 as well as other HIV positive beneficiaries and conducts research to help advance our understanding of this disease.

What can we do to help?  We can and should be responsible.

First, each one of us has a duty to keep ourselves free from HIV infection. Because almost every HIV infection contracted by Air Force members is contracted through sexual activity, we must consider our sexual behavior.

A widely used construct to help remember the elements of safe behavior is the “ABCs.” A is for “abstinence.” No sex means no unsafe sexual behavior is occurring, so HIV risk is lowest. B stands for “be faithful to one uninfected partner,” and is the next safest choice. If neither A nor B are chosen, then, C, which stands for “condom” should be used to lower risk.

Second, each one of us can do our part to encourage those around us to make smart choices.

Finally, remember that the enemy in this fight is the virus, not the people who are infected by it. Such an attitude benefits the Air Force by allowing the infected individuals to be more open about their infection, which helps with prevention, helps them get the care they need, and helps them serve the Air Force to the best of their ability.

So take a moment this World AIDS Day to recognize HIV/AIDS by considering its reality, its relevance and your responsibility. Resolve every day to keep your promises to yourself, your family, The Air Force, and your nation, by keeping yourself free from HIV infection.

And then call your mother and tell her every day should be Mothers’ Day.