The Banyan Tree is indigenous to the Asian continent and is a symbol of inner peace and harmony. Its large branches have provided shelter and its deep roots have provided support to travelers and immigrants for thousands of years.
Banyan Tree
Through our Banyan Tree Project, we hope to extend the same support and comfort to persons living with HIV/AIDS as well as provide the most accurate facts about the epidemic, eliminate the stigma and taboos, and team up to prevent it from spreading.

What is HIV? What is AIDS?

AIDS is caused by HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which damages the body's defense system. AIDS is the last stage of HIV disease. People who have AIDS become weaker, because their bodies lose the ability to fight all illnesses. When this happens, people with AIDS are vulnerable to other diseases, including rare types of cancer and pneumonia, Hepatitis, and infections that do not threaten people whose immune systems are healthy. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, although new drug therapies can help a person stay healthier for longer periods of time, but the person will still have HIV and be able to transmit HIV. The onset of AIDS can take up to ten years from the time of infection with the HIV virus. Therefore a person infected with HIV may look and feel healthy for many years, but he or she can transmit the virus to someone else.

How is HIV Transmitted?

HIV is transmitted through the exchange of any HIV-infected bodily fluids. Transfer may occur during all stages of the infection/disease. Even if infected person looks and feels perfectly healthy they can still transmit the virus. The HIV virus is found in the following fluids: blood, semen including pre-ejaculated fluid, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. HIV is most frequently transmitted sexually. That is because fluids mix and the virus can be exchanged, especially where there are tears in vaginal or anal tissue, wounds or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Girls are especially vulnerable to HIV infection because their vaginal membranes are thinner and more susceptible to infection than those of mature women. HIV can also be transmitted when the skin is cut or pierced using an unsterilized needle, syringe, razorblade, knife or any other tool. People who share syringes when injecting themselves with drugs or have sex with drug users are at high risk of becoming infected with HIV/AIDS. Moreover, drug use alters people's judgment and can lead to risky sexual behavior, such as not using condoms.

HIV & STDs

People who have Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are at greater risk of being infected with HIV/AIDS and of transmitting their infection to others. They are more likely to practice unsafe sex behaviors. Some symptoms of STDs include open sores in the mouth or genitals, which increase the risk of infected fluids to enter the body. People with STDs should seek treatment promptly and avoid sexual intercourse or practice safer sex (non-penetrative sex or sex using a condom), avoid body fluid contact or exchange, and inform their partners.

How Does Substance Abuse Increase the Risk of HIV Infection?

How Can I Prevent HIV?

The most effective way to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV is by practicing abstinence, limiting to one partner, and avoiding body fluids exchange. The risk of sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS can be reduced by the following:

HIV is Not transmitted by:

Nor is it spread by playing with, or studying next to, someone who has AIDS or is infected with HIV. Children and teens with HIV infection have the right to attend school.

Human Rights

Discriminating against people who are infected with HIV/AIDS or anyone thought to be at risk of infection violates individual human rights and endangers public health. Everyone infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS deserves compassion and support.

All About Testing

Anyone who suspects that he or she might have been infected with HIV should contact a health care worker or an HIV/AIDS center in order to receive confidential or anonymous counseling and testing. Counseling should always come before and after a test. Confidential means the clinic will have your name and contact information but will not disclose it to anyone. Anonymous means the clinic will never know your name or contact information. The test is tracked by numbers and no names are given. You will contact them when you are ready for the test results or other services. There are tests that can tell if a person has been exposed to HIV. The local health department and other agencies can make referrals to a testing site including:

Asian Human Services
4753 N Broadway
Suite 722
Chicago, IL 60640
Telephone: 773-293-8460

Reasons to Get Tested

Take control of your health. You can take steps to protect your partner from infection. Get treatment so you can live longer, perhaps to the time when a cure for AIDS is found. If you know you are infected you can make choices to stay in the U.S. where we can help you access to medical treatment. AIDS is not a disease reserved for Gay White Men, Poor Sex Workers or Drug Users. Currently more than half of 36,000,000 people living with HIV are heterosexual women, men and children. Everyone is at risk. Some think there is a cure for AIDS. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but it doesn't mean that you cannot live a healthy life. Testing is important to prolong the asymptomatic period; if a person is tested HIV positive, he/she can take the necessary steps of treatment to prolong this period. No one is immune to HIV/AIDS if he/she engages in risky behaviors. It is a myth that Asians are immune to HIV because "good families don't get it" or "Asian culture is a good culture."

Possible Debate Starters

Trust, Power and Consent