Every year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS.

Every day while caring for patients, health care workers are at risk to exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The main concern regarding a needlestick injury is not only the trauma itself, but the exposure to a patient’s blood and body fluids, that potentially resulting in infections such as HIV.

World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV worldwide.