Meet Sharon Stone - the HIV/AIDS activist!

Most of us remember Sharon Stone for her femme fatale role in the Basic Instinct but there really is far more to the actress, especially her philanthropic side. The actress told TOI in a recent interview before her visit to India to raise AIDS awareness and participate in India's first amfAr (The Foundation for AIDS Research) which is being co-chaired by Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

'India has an enormous amount of AIDS awareness,' she says, when asked for the reason behind introducing the gala to India, adding, 'Some countries that I go to are still trying to deny that it's happening. In India, 2.1 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. India manufactures most of the drugs that are used to cure HIV around the world, which is an amazing, amazing fact that most people don't know. Fifty percent of the people who need treatment in India still don't have access to these drugs. We need to try to remedy this because we are in a situation that just education and awareness can help remedy. Because you're a country that's manufacturing the life-saving drugs.'

She also felt that there needs to be an open discussion about sex. 'We can't be born unless people have sex. So, whether it's a taboo word or not, it is the reality of what is occurring everyday, and it's a loving reality, it is a family reality. In fact, it's archaic not to say (the word). You can't not say penicillin if there's a flu outbreak. It's illogical, it's unhelpful, and it's out of reality. So, whether you want to call it sex or reality or family, you respectfully - in your culture - can call it what you want, but that's what is happening. And there were, in fact, 132,000 infections last year, and we know that congratulations to you and your country, for having such spectacular accounting. But to be mature, to be scientific, to be loving, we need to be thoughtful about treating people and we must be thoughtful about what we're treating. You can't treat breast cancer if you can't say breast and if women can't get their breasts examined. We must have safe places where people can discuss and be treated. Forty-four million people are already dead from AIDS. What logic is there in not discussing the word?'

What is HIV?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that destroys or impairs the function of the body's immune system making the person more susceptible to infections. Unless treated, it develops into full-blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The virus infects humans when it comes in contact with tissues lining the vagina, anal area, mouth and eyes, or through a break in the skin. There are two main types HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-2 is typically found in Africa and parts of Asia. HIV-2 is typically found in Africa and parts of Asia. Asia can thus no longer be considered free of HIV-2, and testing for HIV-2 appears mandatory, at least in India. Worldwide, when people refer to HIV they are usually referring to HIV-1.

What is AIDS?

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) isn't a disease in itself. It is a condition in caused by HIV in which the body's immune system fails to battle foreign microorganisms. This leads to various opportunistic infections and/or certain cancers. It is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. (Read more: HIV/AIDS causes, symptoms and complications)

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