WORLD AIDS DAY World AIDS Day Service In Charleston
Reported by: Dave Benton
Videographer: Jeremy Bias
Web Producer: Dave Benton
Reported: Dec. 1, 2012 9:56 PM EST
Updated: Dec. 1, 2012 11:00 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
More than 34 million people across the world have been infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Currently, 1.4 million people are living with it.
Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of World AIDS day. People in Charleston held a candle light vigil at the Living AIDS Memorial Garden in the east end to remember loved ones who passed.
Boyd Hudson was among those who attended. Hudson was diagnosed with HIV in 1980. "I got sick and thought it was the flu."
Roy Key has a similar story, he's lived with HIV since 1989. "It was a hard time. I got mad at myself, I didn't understand what was happening. Then, I got educated."
Key takes a combination drug called Atripla, one of 15 medications on the market that helps people living with the virus. He and his friend Debbie Rutledge lost their friend John to the disease. They both hope young people will take precautions and get tested. Although much progress has been made with treating HIV/AIDS infections rates are still high among teenagers.
Boyd Hudson said, "People think just because we have drugs now it's alright to do what they want. But it's not because the drugs don't work for everybody. Sometimes it's hard to get the right combination."
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Dave Benton
