World record ribbon at Anfield

The ribbon will aim to raise awareness for World AIDS Day 2012 and Living with HIV, Standard Chartered's global HIV and AIDS education programme.

The 49-metre ribbon will be rolled out across the pitch by staff from Standard Chartered and the HIV/AIDS charity AVERT. This will be the first time that the AIDS awareness ribbon, recognised as the largest in the world by Guinness World Records, has been displayed in the UK.

AVERT, a UK-based international HIV and AIDS charity, is providing the ribbon on behalf of globally renowned HIV expert Dr Surya Rao, who created it in his home country of India to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS across the globe.

LFC managing director Ian Ayre said: "Living with HIV is an important cause, and one which the club is proud to support. When an individual wears a red ribbon they are demonstrating that they have joined the global fight against HIV so we are delighted to be able to use the Anfield pitch to display the ribbon and raise awareness for HIV and AIDS."

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HIV remains a global issue and is of particular relevance in a number of Standard Chartered's markets across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Every day, another 7,000 people worldwide are infected with HIV.

Liverpool FC's involvement in the World AIDS Day activity will help to draw attention to the fact that in 2011 there were 939 people living with HIV in Merseyside, representing a 220 per cent increase over the course of the previous 10 years.

World AIDS Day is a day to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS and show solidarity for the people living with HIV and commemorate those who have died. Wearing a red ribbon shows that you're joining the global fight against HIV.

It doesn't matter where you live; whether young, old, male, female or a child - HIV impacts everyone.  Every day, worldwide another 7,000 people will become infected with HIV.

How much do you know about HIV?

HIV and AIDS are the same thing - MYTH.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. The virus damages the immune system, and someone is said to have AIDS when they develop HIV-related illnesses, such as tuberculosis.

You can get HIV from touching someone who is infected - MYTH.

You cannot get HIV from touching someone. Sharing cups, glasses, food, cutlery, towels, toilet seats and kissing will not give you HIV.

Unprotected sex is the most common way HIV is transmitted - FACT.

Unprotected sex accounts for 80 per cent of all HIV infections.  Don't take the risk, always use a condom.

HIV can be cured - MYTH.

There is no cure or vaccine for HIV or AIDS. But, effective treatments now help many infected people live full, healthy lives. 

The only way you can be sure of your status is by taking an HIV test - FACT.

Most people living with HIV don't know they are infected. The only way to know is to get tested.

Frequently asked questions

How can I get HIV?

HIV is found in the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person. Transmission occurs when a significant quantity of these fluids gets into someone else's bloodstream. The most common transmission routes are:

Unprotected sex with an infected partner. The most effective way to protect yourself is to wear a condom.

Sharing injecting equipment with an infected person whilst injecting drugs. HIV infection can be averted by using clean needles and injecting equipment.

A mother can transmit HIV to her child during pregnancy, labour or delivery, or through breastfeeding. Pregnant woman can minimise this risk by seeking advice from a medical professional.

Can I get HIV from oral sex?

There is a small risk of HIV infection from oral sex:

When giving oral sex, a person could become infected with HIV if infected semen or vaginal fluids came into contact with damaged and receding gums, or any cuts or sores they might have in their mouth.

Receiving oral sex carries a minimal risk, as saliva does not contain infectious quantities of HIV.

Can I get HIV from kissing?

Unless both partners have large open sores in their mouths, or severely bleeding gums, there is no transmission risk from mouth-to-mouth kissing.

I think I might have been exposed to HIV, when can I get an HIV test?

Generally, a person will have to wait three months after the potential exposure risk before an HIV test can be considered accurate. This is because it can take up to 12 weeks before HIV antibodies are detected in the bloodstream. In very rare cases, it can take up to six months for HIV antibodies to develop. It is very important to note that if a person is infected with HIV, they can still transmit the virus to others during the three month 'window period'.

I am pregnant; can I transmit HIV to my baby?

An HIV-infected pregnant woman can pass the virus on to her unborn baby either before or during birth. HIV can also be passed on during breastfeeding. If a woman knows that she is infected with HIV, there are drugs she can take to greatly reduce the chances of her child becoming infected. Other ways to lower the risk include choosing to have a caesarean section delivery and not breastfeeding.

My friend is HIV positive, am I at risk?

HIV cannot be transmitted through ordinary social contact, therefore simply having a friend who is HIV positive, or being in the presence of a person living with HIV poses no risk of transmission. HIV is not an airborne, water-borne or food-borne virus and does not survive for very long outside of the body. This means that HIV cannot be transmitted through spitting, sneezing, coughing, sharing glasses, cutlery, or musical instruments. Moreover, HIV transmission cannot occur via swimming pools, showers or by sharing washing facilities or toilet seats.

Can I become infected with HIV if I inject drugs?

There is a possibility of becoming infected with HIV if you share injecting equipment with someone who has the virus. Sharing needles, syringes, spoons, filters or water can pass on the virus. Disinfecting equipment between uses can reduce the likelihood of transmission, but does not eliminate it.