The iconic photo of AIDS......

[kopiuncle]

In another of Therese Frare's photos taken in the final moments of David Kirby's life, his caregiver and friend, Peta; David's father; and David's sister, Susan, say goodbye.

Read more: http://life.time.com/history/behind...-that-changed-the-face-of-aids/#ixzz2EdGSPJgC

 

[kopiuncle]

The scourge of AIDS is not over. In fact, it has gained momentum....

The haunting photo of David Kirby....a grim reminder once again of the terror of AIDs and the catastrophic effect on the family and loved ones...and on society as a whole....

In November 1990 LIFE magazine published a photograph of a young man named David Kirby — his body wasted by AIDS, his gaze locked on something beyond this world — surrounded by anguished family members as he took his last breaths. The haunting image of Kirby on his death bed, taken by a journalism student named Therese Frare, quickly became the one photograph most powerfully identified with the HIV/AIDS epidemic that, by then, had seen millions of people infected (many of them unknowingly) around the globe.

Read more: http://life.time.com/history/behind...-that-changed-the-face-of-aids/#ixzz2EdH0xVPn

 

[kopiuncle]

The number of people living with HIV rose from around 8 million in 1990 to 34 million by the end of 2010. The overall growth of the epidemic has stabilised in recent years. The annual number of new HIV infections has steadily declined and due to the significant increase in people receiving antiretroviral therapy, the number of AIDS-related deaths has also declined.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, nearly 30 million people have died from AIDS-related causes.

There was a LULL period. But now the terror and initial fear have since evaporated and HIV/Aids cases have shot up like a pandemic and in some newly developed countries, it has grown out of control.

 

[noname]

a relative of mine died of lung cancer. he also looked like the person in the photo during his final moments. aids is just another disease. everybody's gotta die of something someday.

 

[kopiuncle]

What is the situation in Singapore ?

UPDATE ON THE HIV/AIDS SITUATION IN SINGAPORE 2011

Characteristics of new cases of HIV infection reported in 2011

1. In 2011, another 461 Singapore residents[1] were newly reported with HIV infection. About 93% of the new cases were males and 7% were females. This brings the total number of HIV infected Singapore residents to 5,306 as of end 2011. As at 31 Dec 2011, 2,550 persons are asymptomatic carriers, 1,263 have or have had AIDS-related illnesses and 1,493 have died.

2. Sexual transmission remains the main mode of HIV transmission among Singapore residents. Of the 461 cases reported in 2011, 449 cases acquired the infection through the sexual route, with heterosexual transmission accounting for 46% of infections, homosexual transmission 42% and bisexual transmission 9%. Intravenous drug use (2 cases) accounted for 0.4% of infections.

3. Half of all new cases reported in 2011 were aged between 30 to 49 years of age. Approximately 67% were single, 25% were married and 7% were divorced or separated.

4. In 2011, more than half (53%) of the new cases already had late-stage HIV infection[2] when they were diagnosed. This was similar to the pattern in previous years.

5. More than half of the new cases in 2011 ( 58%) had their HIV detected when they had HIV testing in the course of medical care, while another 14% were detected as a result of routine medical screening. 14% were detected as a result of voluntary HIV screening. Another 4% of the cases were detected as a result of screening in prisons and drug rehabilitation centres. The rest were detected through contact tracing and other screenings. When differentiated by sexual transmission, a higher proportion of homosexuals/bisexuals had their HIV infection detected via voluntary screening compared to heterosexuals (23% vs. 4%).

6. There were 31 female cases in 2011, comprising 7% of the total cases. This was lower than the proportions in the preceding 2 years (10% in 2009 and 9% in 2010). 42% of female cases were aged between 30 to 49 years of age and nearly half (45%) of the female cases were married. The vast majority (97%) acquired HIV through sexual transmission and most of them (61%) were detected in the course of medical care. 18 cases (58%) were diagnosed when they already had late stage infection.

Preventing HIV infection

The most effective way to prevent HIV infection is to remain faithful to one’s spouse/partner and to avoid casual sex. A person living with HIV/AIDS looks and feels normal during the early stage of the infection. It is therefore not possible to tell if a person is infected with HIV or not by looking at his/her appearance.

 

[kopiuncle]

a relative of mine died of lung cancer. he also looked like the person in the photo during his final moments. aids is just another disease. everybody's gotta die of something someday.

Many deaths have been re-classified. Even some cases of TB have been re-classified as HIV/AIDS related disease because of THE LOWERED IMMUNITY caused by the HIV. The number of HIV/AIDS related diseases is going to hit the roof.

 

[Cerebral]

Many deaths have been re-classified. Even some cases of TB have been re-classified as HIV/AIDS related disease because of THE LOWERED IMMUNITY caused by the HIV. The number of HIV/AIDS related diseases is going to hit the roof.

I think you have just answered yourself. The supposed burgeoning of AIDs/AIDs related death could be a cause of better understanding of the problem and a re-classification of death. In the past, the same death could be classified as TB, hence, not an apple to apple comparison.

 

[Reddog]

In another of Therese Frare's photos taken in the final moments of David Kirby's life, his caregiver and friend, Peta; David's father; and David's sister, Susan, say goodbye.

Read more: http://life.time.com/history/behind...-that-changed-the-face-of-aids/#ixzz2EdGSPJgC

An ending for another nice gay....

 

[kopiuncle]

I think you have just answered yourself. The supposed burgeoning of AIDs/AIDs related death could be a cause of better understanding of the problem and a re-classification of death. In the past, the same death could be classified as TB, hence, not an apple to apple comparison.

Thank you. I think South Africa is facing the same problem. Under-estimation of the massive problem....

 

[The_Hypocrite]

well looks like all of us will get it sooner or later,,,,if not us will be the next generation,,AIDS is really the curse on human kind,,its slow acting,,,infected can dont know etc,,worse then ebola,,,

 

[kopiuncle]

death from AIDs or HIV/AIDs is no longer so traumatic and dramatic anymore.....we have special wards and special trained care-givers to manage the terminal stage like a hospice.....so many die quietly and not in such excruciating anguish and pain. spare the care-givers and their loved ones....life is a joy but it is also a tragedy....so do not attach yourself too tenaciously to everything.. learn to let go, learn to forgive, learn to move on....and learn to laugh at yourself ....haha!!!

 

[Fishypie]

Many deaths have been re-classified. Even some cases of TB have been re-classified as HIV/AIDS related disease because of THE LOWERED IMMUNITY caused by the HIV. The number of HIV/AIDS related diseases is going to hit the roof.

Agree with Kopi on this.The other way can be true as well.Am sure there are AiDs patients who wished their death to be classified under a broader term known as Pneumonia..

 

[kopiuncle]

Agree with Kopi on this.The other way can be true as well.Am sure there are AiDs patients who wished their death to be classified under a broader term known as Pneumonia..

Yes Bro...many pneumonia deaths are also HIV/AIDs related....for many reasons, it is more acceptable to die from Pneumonia.But I believe the social stigma has been slowly being removed.... and many will just admit " I die from AIDs..." - end of the story.Sad end indeed. Many of the wonderful and cheerful people have died of AIDs. Happened to know a few and many of these people were very talented and gifted people...and very creative and artistic.

 

[krafty]

men have been fucking women ever since the evolution of mankind, have you ever thought why god inflict this horrible disease to mankind?

 

[Fishypie]

men have been fucking women ever since the evolution of mankind, have you ever thought why god inflict this horrible disease to mankind?

It's all written in the good old bible, my bro..

 

[kopiuncle]

men have been fucking women ever since the evolution of mankind, have you ever thought why god inflict this horrible disease to mankind?

please enlighten me ....

 

[blackmondy]

men have been fucking women ever since the evolution of mankind, have you ever thought why god inflict this horrible disease to mankind?

Putting the family treasure into a shit-hole is just asking for it.

 

[Cerebral]

men have been fucking women ever since the evolution of mankind, have you ever thought why god inflict this horrible disease to mankind?

God did not do it. It was a horny Frenchman who fucked a Monkey.

 

[JavaMocco]

In another of Therese Frare's photos taken in the final moments of David Kirby's life, his caregiver and friend, Peta; David's father; and David's sister, Susan, say goodbye.

Read more: http://life.time.com/history/behind...-that-changed-the-face-of-aids/#ixzz2EdGSPJgC

When will u die from it?

 

[KuanTi01]

death from AIDs or HIV/AIDs is no longer so traumatic and dramatic anymore.....we have special wards and special trained care-givers to manage the terminal stage like a hospice.....so many die quietly and not in such excruciating anguish and pain. spare the care-givers and their loved ones....life is a joy but it is also a tragedy....so do not attach yourself too tenaciously to everything.. learn to let go, learn to forgive, learn to move on....and learn to laugh at yourself ....haha!!!

What u have said touches a chord in my heart. When one has experienced or seen death at close quarters be it by a relative or friend's deathbed, the harsh reality really sinks in. All the posturing, bickering and quarrelling count for nothing when death is near. Although it's easier said than done one must learn to forgive and move on with life as it is so short and not sweet all the time. Well said, kopiuncle!