Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections, (STDs & STIs) are common and need to be taken seriously in order to avoid them. There are many protection options against STD &STIs that include physical barriers between fluids transmission, like condoms and dental dams, but we also have vaccinations and medications that we can get to further protect ourselves from diseases that can also increase our chance of getting cancer. 

HIV and AIDS are two components of each other. HIV is the initial infection and the syndrome that occurs in the body with extreme immuno-affects is the AIDS diagnoses. When someone is diagnosed with HIV in our current day, they can likely go on meds to make sure they are not effected as much by the infection and are less likely to infect others. 

When the HIV and AIDS epidemic began in the late 70s and 80s, the government of the United States refused to call for nation attention and concern. Instead they delayed research and refused treatment for 100,000+ people, majority of which were homosexual, black, and considered a group not worth helping. For 10-20 years HIV and AIDS was considered a homosexually transmitted disease- which we now know is never a plausible statement. For 2 of those early years, we didn't know what to name HIV, and it was named GRID (Gay-Relations Immuno-Deficiency); and was changed 2 years later to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV and AIDS has for a long time come with a stigma and fear from others that the virus can be transmitted easily, while we know it can only be transmitted via blood and semen or vagina fluids. 

Since HIV can be transmitted via blood, it's important that we talk about how you can also get HIV and AIDS from sharing needles and certain drug methods. If you believe you could become exposed or have been exposed to HIV make sure to go to a local hospital or doctor to get a prescription for PEP or PrEP. These drugs save lives, and should be discussed more publicly to call attention to how we can slow the transmision of some diseases. 

In recent years we have come out with several drugs that have effectively ended a majority of AIDS diagnoses after HIV diagnoses. People who believe they may be exposed to or could become exposed to, can take one of two drugs below, so that their chances of getting an infection from the virus is less likely.