This post on AIDS/HIV is made in support of Bloggers Unite. On December 1, 2008, bloggers from around the world are uniting for World AIDS Day 2008. Why? To help raise awareness about the 33 million people in the world who are living with HIV. In the United States, an estimated one million Americans are living with HIV.

What is HIV/AIDS?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).  Unlike most viruses, HIV attacks the human immune system. The immune system gives our bodies the ability to fight infection and is severely compromised by HIV. Reducing the amount of virus in the body with anti-retroviral therapies can dramatically slow the destruction of a person’s immune system and the onset of AIDS.

AIDS is the final stage of the HIV virus, where the immune system is compromised, multiple systemic infections exist and T cells are almost non-existent. T cells belong to a group of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which are crucial to the normal function of the human immune system.

The Past

Being diagnosed with AIDS used to be an automatic death sentence; a painful, lingering death.  Many people died from AIDS without ever having a diagnosis of HIV first.

The Present

With access to treatment, people live for years with HIV without developing AIDS.

The Future

With research, hopefully a cure will be found for HIV/AIDS.  Hopefully we will share this cure with countries whose populations are being decimated by AIDS.

Facts From aids.gov

HIV can be found in body fluids, including:

• blood
• semen
• vaginal fluids
• breast milk
• some body fluids sometimes handled by health-care workers (fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord, bone joints, and around an unborn baby)

HIV is passed from one person to another by:

• having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who has HIV
• sharing needles with a drug user who has HIV
• during pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding if a mother has HIV
• getting a blood transfusion from a person with HIV

Abstaining from (not having) sex is the most effective way to prevent HIV transmission. There are several ways to protect yourself or to prevent transmitting HIV during vaginal, oral, or anal sex if you choose to have sex:

• Get tested for HIV and know the HIV status of yourself and your partner
• Be faithful to your sexual partner
• Use condoms or other latex barriers during vaginal, oral, and anal sex, and never reuse condoms or latex barriers

HIV cannot be transmitted by casual contact. Here are the facts:

• You cannot get HIV from shaking hands or hugging a person with HIV/AIDS
• You cannot get HIV from using a public telephone, drinking fountain, restroom, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, or hot tub
• You cannot get HIV from sharing a drink
• You cannot get HIV from being coughed or sneezed on by a person with HIV/AIDS
• You cannot get HIV from giving blood
• You cannot get HIV from a mosquito bite

Transmission of HIV while getting a tattoo or through a body piercing is possible, but it can be prevented through:

• Single-use instruments intended to penetrate the skin being used only once, then disposed of
• Reusable instruments or devices that penetrate the skin and/or contact a client’s blood should be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized between clients according to medical guidelines

These guidelines are the same as those practiced within any medical facility where there is a risk of instruments coming into contact with blood.

Hill Country Christmas

November 28, 2008-January 4, 2009
Tickets available at schlitterbahnchristmas.com

Schlitterbahn, the hugely popular waterpark in New Braunfels becomes a winter wonderland during the holidays.  Bring the family to ice skate under the stars or sled down a snow-covered run. Visit Santa, see the holiday performances and finish Christmas shopping.  Warm up in the giant Wassail Hot Tub while sipping a holiday libation.

The Hill Country Christmas event is open on weekends (Friday-Sunday), beginning Friday, November 28.  The event is open daily December 19, 2008 through January 4, 2009 (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). The park opens at 5pm, closing times vary.

Costumed live actors portray the story of the first Christmas. Scenes include Mary’s Visitation, An Uncertain Journey, Herod’s Palace, The Shepherds’ Wonder, The Marketplace, Kings In Search of the King and The Birthplace of a King. The scenes feature live animals, beautifully designed sets, music and theatrical lighting.

The The Birthplace of a King is open to the public and free of charge.The Birthplace of a King runs three nights. December 19, 20 & 21 from 7-9 pm. Trinity Church is located on Northeast Loop 1604 @ Judson Rd., one mile west of Rolling Oaks Mall. Use the Green Mountain Rd exit off 1604.

Los Pastores

The Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo is the setting for a Hispanic folk play depicting the shepherds’ journey to worship the Christ Child and the obstacles they overcome. This traditional play has been presented each year at Mission San José since 1947. Click for more information about Mission San José. Only on December 27.

Theme Parks

San Antonio’s renowned theme parks get in the holiday spirit with special events, too. Santa joins Shamu at SeaWorld San Antonio’s Holiday Celebration. Lights transform the park into an illuminated village, while Shamu dons Santa’s red cap and puts on a Christmas show with holiday music and lighting holiday program. SeaWorld’s Holiday Celebration continues through December 31.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of year at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Make a point to attend the Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Holiday in the Park, an annual extravaganza with light displays, holiday-themed shows, food and caroling through January 04, 2009,

Lighting Ceremony and River Parade

San Antonio River Walk
Friday, November 28, 2008 at 7 PM

The lighting ceremony marks the official beginning of the Paseo Del Rio Holiday Festival. On the Friday evening after Thanksgiving, over 122,000 twinkling lights–draped through and from the Cypress trees, bridges and stairways–illuminate a mystical world below street level on the San Antonio River Walk. The lights are lit every evening through January 1, 2009.

Now, the parade begins! Featuring lavishly decorated and illuminated floats, overfilled with celebrities, local bands and costumed dignitaries, the theme for the parade this year is A Theatrical Christmas. Over 150,000 people will gather along the Paseo Del Rio to watch the lighting ceremony and river parade.

For Ticket Information Please Call (210) 227-4262 ext. 101

Fiesta de las Luminarias

San Antonio River Walk
At dusk on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only
December 5-21, 2008

This centuries-old tradition begins at dusk on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Luminaries line the walkways and symbolically re-enact the lighting of the way for the Holy Family’s journey to Bethlehem. The river flows by quietly as you walk under the ancient Cypress trees as dusk darkens into night, your path guided by more than 2,500 glowing soft lights.

The lights are on display until January 1, 2009.  If you cannot make it for one of the two events, visit the River Walk during the holidays for the lights.  It is an incredible sight.

I think postcards might be the best idea because of the cost of postage, the ease of mailing and the fact that, once you put an address label and a stamp on the card, there is little space left to write a message.

VistaPrint has a nice selection of all types of holiday cards–for you, your business or your organization.  They can personalize your cards and envelopes.  All you have to do is put the card in the envelope; add sticker, stamp and address label and drop them in the mailbox.

Another cool idea is to use photographs to make a desk or wall calendar for loved ones to enjoy all next year.  If you do not want to use photographs, there is an interactive caricature design tool on VistaPrint website, so you can design your characterization, right down to eye color and hairstyle.  This is a good idea if your family does not take the best pictures, you have lost all your hair due to chemotherapy, or your son’s glassy eyes keep giving him the red eye.