We are safe. This is Iowa. Wrong. Today is World AIDS Day, and it is a day that we must recognize the epidemic of AIDS not only in highly infected Third World countries, but also in Iowa.

Although AIDS awareness has been around for only about 10 years, AIDS shouldn’t be spreading in our country. People know the risks, yet they still take them.

Whether they are taking drugs via used needles, having unprotected sex or similar activity, people are simply taking their own risk —ÿtheir lives.

People need to be aware of the consequences of the risks.

And this isn’t only happening in New York City, Los Angeles or Dallas. It is happening in Iowa.

The epidemic has no imaginary lines to separate it geographically.

Although there is no assembled statistic to tell us how many people on this campus have AIDS, there are most likely people you encounter everyday who are battling the disease.

And if you become infected with HIV, no symptoms may appear. That means it might be as many as 10 years before you know you have contracted the disease.

That is what is really scary and should prompt all of us to get tested for the virus, whether you’ve have had sex just once or many times.

Also, getting testing is a good idea just because it would be safer for yourself and everyone else to know.

That is why every Iowa State student should take advantage of the Student Health Center’s free and confidential HIV test.

Not only is it a smart idea, but it is necessary.

World AIDS Day should prompt all of us to be aware of this dangerous disease and to prepare ourselves from contracting it. We need to make sure we prevent ourselves from infection and to test ourselves in the event that an unsafe situation occurs.