World AIDS Day

"The number of people living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, had reached its highest level ever in 2005 at an estimated 40.3 million people." - UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot

December 1st every year marks the international campaign against AIDS. The thing with chronic illness is that - it can never happen to me. Never mind that it's a reality for millions of people, even people around me. For some reason, we all have a tendency to feel insusceptible.

The first day I arrived in Delhi, we accompanied a little boy of about 10 years old to the hospital. My hosts have somehow taken upon themselves to care for the son of their gatekeeper whose entire family live on the street under a makeshift house of wooden planks and dirty rags. There were about 8-10 people in the family, many of which were young children.

While sweet and shy, the little boy had a growth on the side of his neck the size of an apple. Still, I did not fret.

Then came the results of the tests he had just undergone. He has HIV.

My initial reaction was one of shock. Then, I'm ashamed to say I was concerned for my own safety. Despite the many posters I've seen about how HIV cannot be transmitted through touch, I was nervous sitting in such close proximity to this boy.

Would I have hugged that little boy? In total honesty, I'm not sure.

Maybe it's time to re-educate ourselves.