HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks and breaks down the body's immune system – our "internal defense force" that fights off infections and disease. When the immune system becomes weak, we lose our protection against illness and can develop serious, often life-threatening, infections and cancers.

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H -  Human - because this virus can only infect human beings.

 I  -  Immuno-deficiency - because the effect of the virus creates a deficiency; a failure to work properly, within the body's immune

       system.

V -  Virus - because this organism is a virus; which means that it is incapable of reproducing by itself. It reproduces by taking over

        the machinery of the human cell.

What is HIV/AIDS?

February

• National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/nbhaad.html) – February 7

March

• National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/nwghaad.html) – March 10

• National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/nnhaad.html) – March 20

April

• National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/nyhaad.html) – April 10

• National Transgender HIV Testing Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/nthtd.html) – April 18

May

• HIV Vaccine Awareness Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/vaccineday.html) – May 18

• National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/napihaad.html) – May 19

June

• National HIV Testing Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/testingday.html) – June 27

September

• National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/nhaaad.html) – September 18

• National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/ngmhaad.html) – September 27

October

• National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/nlaad.html) – October 15

December

• World AIDS Day(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/wad.html) – December 1

HIV Awareness Days

Please find below national HIV/AIDS Awareness Days that raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among specific populations and provide information about HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.  Please click on website links for more information and reach out to Watchful Eye for more information and resources to help you keep your congregations informed and educated.