According to UNAIDS estimates, there are 38 million adults and 2.3 million children living with HIV, and during 2005 some 4.9 million people became newly infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.

There is no cure for AIDS. Only solution is prevention. Remember AIDS kills ruthelessy. So far around 3 million AIDS deaths have been reported. Though some drugs are available now to control the spread of the disease but complete cure is not possible. Available medicines are extremely expensive, and have to be taken lifelong.

HIV/AIDS spreads only through blood and sex. Government have set up various systems to ensure that blood transfusion is safe in AP. But it is the responsibility of the individuals to have safe sex.

AIDS can destroy individuals, families, communities and Nations. The Government guarantees safe blood but individuals have to guarantee safe sex. This is the only way we can prevent this epidemic from spreading.

To have safe sex there are two options - have sex with only one partner (who in return has only you as the sexual partner) or use condoms when having sex. You can make your choice. You are in charge of your future.

After sombody is infected with HIV (the causative agent of AIDS), the person can spread it to another through sex and blood. But there are no symptoms for atleast 5-10 years. HIV infection happens in all sections of the society. In Andhra Pradesh around 2% of general population is infected and can pass on the infection to an equal number or more depending on the number of partners.

Never assume that you are immune from HIV infection. You can never say that somebody is not infected by looking at them. Be sensible and always have safe sex by either sticking to one mutually faithful relationship or by always using condoms.

As Per UNAIDS, the threat of AIDS is greater than the 16th century's bubonic plague.

IN A.P as per the latest Sentinel Surveillance data, 2.02% of the Pregnant women are found to be HIV positive. The highest positiv ity rate of 5.25% is recorded in Guntur followed by Kakinada, 4 % .

HIV infection rate is among the STD Clinic attendees is 26.9 %. Highest percentage of 41.6 % is recorded in Osmania Medical College Hyderabad followed by Visakhapatnam where it is 38.4 %.

Support of the honourable members is sought to discuss about HIV/AIDS in every forum as awareness is the only cure for AIDS prevention HIV/AIDS prevention is a collective effort and everybody's responsibility. Let us talk about AIDS at every place -with family members friends and colleagues.

" Break the Silence Talk about AIDS " must be everybody's slogan at every place.