HUMAN RIGHTS DAY - December 10

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December every year.

The date was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights(UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on 4 December 1950, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw fit.

The day is normally marked both by high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues. In addition it is traditionally on 10 December that the five-yearly United Nation Prize in the Field of Human Rights and Nobel Peace Prize are awarded. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations active in the human rights field also schedule special events to commemorate the day, as do many civil and social-cause organizations.

International Anti-Corruption Day - December 9

International Anti-Corruption Day has been observed annually, on 9 December, since the passage of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on 31 October 2003.

The "Your NO Counts" campaign is a joint international campaign created by the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to mark International Anti-Corruption Day (9 December) and raise awareness about corruption and how to fight it.

The 2009 joint International campaign focused on how corruption hinders efforts to achieve the internationally agreed upon MDGs, undermines democracy and the rule of law, leads to human rights violations, distorts markets, erodes quality of life and allows organized crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish

International Volunteer Day

International Volunteer Day (IVD) (originally and still known as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development) (December 5) is an international observance designated by the United Nations since 1985. It offers an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make their contributions visible – at local, national and international levels – to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The International Volunteer Day is marked by many non-governmental organizations, including Red Cross, Scouts and others. It is also marked and supported by United Nations Volunteers.

Apart from mobilising thousands of volunteers every year, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme works closely with partners and governments to establish national volunteer programmes to create structures that foster and sustain local volunteerism in countries. Through the Online Volunteering service volunteers can take action for sustainable human development by supporting the activities of development organizations over the Internet.

The main focus of IVD 2014 is not only celebrate volunteerism in all its facets – but also pay special tribute to people’s participation in making a difference locally, nationally and globally. IVD 2014 highlights the contribution of volunteers in engaging people from the grass-roots in decision-making processes, ultimately creating space for participation that leads to: stronger governance, social cohesion, peace, love and sustainable development.

" "Founded on the values of solidarity and mutual trust, volunteerism transcends all cultural, linguistic and geographic boundaries. By giving their time and skills without expectation of material reward, volunteers themselves are uplifted by a singular sense of purpose." Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Message for the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development 5 December 2012

International Day of Persons with Disabilities - December 3

International Day of Persons with 

Disabilities (December 3) is an International observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. It has been celebrated with varying degrees of success around the planet. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. It was originally called "International Day of Disabled Persons" until 2007. Each year the day focuses on a different issue.

WORLD AIDS DAY - December 1

http://blogabooketc.com/2014/12/world-aids-day-2014-blogmas-day-1/

World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease. Government and health officials, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world observe the day, often with education on AIDS prevention and control.

World AIDS Day is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along withWorld Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Malaria Day and World Hepatitis Day. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day.

As of 2013, AIDS has killed more than 36 million people worldwide (1981–2012), and an estimated 35.3 million people are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history. Despite recent improved access to antiretroviral treatment in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claims an estimated 2 million lives each year, of which about 270,000 are children.

WHAT IS HIV?

H – Human
Particular virus can only infect Humans.

I – Immunodeficiency
A deficient (weakened) immune system – after important cells have been destroyed your immune system loses it capability to fight disease and infection.

V – Virus
Something that can reproduce only by using a cell in your body as a host.

HIV may present like a common cold or the flu, the main difference that should be remembered is your body cannot fight off this virus and once you haveHIV it is a virus that you will have for life. So far there is no cure for this.

Your body has an array of different types of cells, your T-Cells (also known as CD4 cells) are a type of white blood cell that play a major role in your body’s ability to protect against infection. When these cells detect a trespasser like a virus or bacteria a signal is sent to the brain to activate your immune system.

When your immune system responds you may feel symptoms such as fevers, aches, pains and other symptoms that are all common signs of your body trying to fight the infection it is presented with. Each symptom helps the body combat infection, assist with repair and conserve any energy however when symptoms are not controlled and are in motion for long periods of time they can cause more harm than good.

Once infected with HIV the virus attacks and aims to destroy the T-Cells within that persons immune system which eventually leads to poor ability to fight further infection and leaves the individual open to other infections and diseases. Check out the HIV life cycle here to better understand how HIV replicates and spreads through the body.

Treatment for HIV comes in the form of ‘Anti-RetroViral Therapy‘ (ART) by taking such medication the levels of HIV in your body can be controlled and kept at a lower level than if they are left untreated. ART is a combination of medications taken daily to fight the HIV infection – although it will not go away this is a method of control to aid the individual in leading and longer healthier life and reducing the risks of transmitting the disease to others. With ART an individual that is diagnosed with HIV can now have an almost ‘normal’ life expectancy whereas before the introduction of such therapy people with HIVcould advance to AIDS in just a few short years.

As time passes HIV may destroy so many of your T-Cells that your body is completely incapable of fighting ANY infection or disease. When this happens HIV can go into its final stage also known as AIDS. However please do not make the mistake in thinking that EVERYONE who suffers fromHIV progresses to AIDS.

WHAT IS AIDS?

A– Acquired
Cannot be inherited but can be picked up after birth

I – Immuno
The body’s immune system – organs and cells that fight of infection and disease

D – Deficiency
Not working the way it should.

S – Syndrome
A group of symptoms that together are a characteristic of a certain disease.
With regards to AIDS as it is not a single disease it is known as a syndrome – this is due to its complex nature and range of complications and symptoms that occur.

As mentioned in the HIV section of this post AIDS is not something that everyone who suffers from HIV will eventually have as it is the final stage of HIV. People who unfortunately reach this stage suffer with extremely badly damaged immune systems which pose an increased risk of infections (known as opportunistic infections -OI’s).

Check out the list of OI’s here. The individual is considered to have advanced to AIDS when they suffer from on or more of the OI’s on that list, certain cancers (Lymphoma, Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma, Kaposi’s Sarcoma, Anal Cancer and Invasive Cervical Cancer) or an extremely low T-Cell count.
With the mention of Cancer please remember thatHIV does not cause Cancer however it greatly increases the risk. If you have AIDS then it is imperative that you seek treatment and medical intervention to prevent death.

As mentioned above scientists are yet to find a cure for HIV/AIDS however the fight continues.