One more year? We again come to World AIDS Day. We could also call it HIV/AIDS Day because, although thousands of people continue to be infected by the HIV virus, thanks to increasing access to antiretroviral treatments, cases of full blown AIDS caused by this virus are becoming less frequent.

This year, the international campaign slogan is the "Right to health," including physical and mental health. In Spain, the Ministry of Health's message is more concrete and closer to people: "Give respect." In posters and videos distributed all over the country, images and messages are interlaced in different languages ​​that show that certain behaviors and attitudes do not spread HIV. At the same time that this information shows the population that kissing, hugging or touching an HIV positive person does not spread the infection,the campaign encourages us to respect infected people through coexistence, understanding and love. In other words, the message is focused on information and respect, two key elements to advance the fight against HIV/AIDS and, in short, achieve health for everyone.

Let's analyze the first element: the information. Subjectively, we might think that we can all live our daily lives far from HIV/AIDS,and the multitude of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for that matter, because they are far from our reality and context. However, the objective data tells us that this is not the case. Every year thousands of infections are diagnosed in Spain: in 2016, around 3,350 new HIV diagnoses, 4,800 diagnoses of Chlamydia, 3,100 of gonorrhea, 2,300 of syphilis... and this is just the beginning of the list.

And there are of course many thousands of people that are undiagnosed and who, despite being contagious, do not seek a diagnosis. There are also cases where symptoms exists, but people do not test because of a low perception of risk, fear or stigma, even though the tests are free and confidential in our country. Studies also show data that the number of new cases of other infections with historically low incidence in our context, such as hepatitis A, have quadrupled this past year as a result of risky sexual behavior, mainly among men engaged in sexual activity with other men.

It is young people who are disproportionately infected, ironically the population that should be enjoying good health. They are the generation that must fight for the health of all and ultimately, the future of our society. This is the information that we should be hearing about. In order to decide in this life, we need knowledge and, for that, we need information. It is essential that we get this information out to a variety of population groups, those most directly affected and thoseless affected too. In this way,we will all knowhow the virus is really transmitted, we will correctly perceive each person’s real risk, we cantell people about existent prevention and control measures and, therefore, open a range of options such that each person can freely decide and act. All of this contributes to the right to health.

There is also a second, but not lesser, element: respect. Respect has two meanings that are very much in keeping with the subject at hand. First, respect can be defined as "fear," but it also means "veneration, consideration, or deference." And respect is precisely what we have to have and show towards HIV/AIDS. On the one hand, we need a kind of respect for the infection that encourages us to take precautions, to avoid risky behaviors whose consequences may impinge on our health, abilities, family, and ultimately, on our lives. This is precisely the kind of respect that many young people have lost because society gives them an opposing message in which it seems that all behavior is fine and has no negative consequences on their health. It seems that there is no respect for the contagions involved or for the effects that theycan have.

On the other hand, in line with the more positive meaning of respectand joining in this year's campaign, we should learn to live with people who have this or other diseases. Due to lack of information and awareness, many still with hold the touch, kiss or hug that patients may need. We need more communication strategies to convey this respect and to ensure that this message abounds beyond this specific day. Our message should adapt to different populations and ages and should try to curb both the factors that trigger new infections and those that lead to an unjust rejection of infected people. This is a strategy that contributes to everyone’s right to health.

On this World AIDS Day, and in the days that follow, "Let’s avoid transmitting disease and live out respect." Let’s make sure it’s not just another year.