We are not waving flags and rushing anyone onto meds or drugs. We are saying that if you are living with HIV and your CD4 (i.e. t-cell) count is low or decreasing at a fast pace as well as your viral load is exploding and increasing, that you consider seeking treatment and care in your area.

In the early days, many had reasons as to why they did not want to take the medicine or drugs - because of the nasty side effects. Now, given the advance in modern medicine, many people are living longer with HIV and holding off an AIDS diagnosis. There are also those who had an AIDS diagnosis, began taking their medication and saw their health  tremendously improved.

Until we have a cure, we must do what we know works best - build strong relationships with our health care providers and start meds when we feel comfortable and have as much information as possible to make the right decision.

We do not discount or devalue alternative medicine either. We know that a compilation of herbs and a modification in our eating habits and behaviors can also assist in improving the quality of life for those living with HIV. At this time, we cannot endorse herbs as an exclusive cure for HIV and/or AIDS.

There are many doctors in our communities; Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, and White who will say that if we would have come to them earlier, the quality of life years could have been expanded or increased. Treatment for HIV, AIDS, Diabetes, Depression, and the array of illnesses disproportionately impacting Black communities can be treated - if we act responsibly.

We have lost too many talented individuals, those known and unknown, to HIV/AIDS. Imagine where Black communities could be if treatment had been sought early by many of them. No family in Black America can claim they are not associated with someone living with HIV - the challenge is how safe someone feels to tell those that they love. We are burying too many young Black men and women today to AIDS related complications, and we're doing it quietly and shamefully.

Since this epidemic began, more than 230,000 Blacks have died from HIV/AIDS - let's do the math. 230,000 divided by 29 years (1981) equals 7,931 per year divided by 365 days in a year means 21 Black people die per day to this epidemic. Do you know someone represented in these numbers?

Now is the time for treatment to become real for many. We need Black people to survive and let National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2010 be the day you decide to have a conversation with your doctor about getting tested and should you test positive for HIV, have an additional conversation about when to start treatment.