A 16-year-old stood on the streets of Uzbekistan with a simple request written on a placard - 'I am HIV positive. Hug me!' In an attempt to spread message about people living with HIV, a video posted by UNICEF on Twitter shows how people reacted to the girl and her little note. The video will melt your hearts seeing people's response to the young girl.

Azima was looking to change people's perceptions about those living with HIV and AIDs in Uzbekistan. In the video she says, "I have been living with HIV for 10 years now. All is fine, I am enjoying life. My purpose is to spread the message that people living with HIV are not a danger."

Watch Heartwarming Video of Azima, HIV Positive, Requesting for Hugs

As she is seen standing with placard, one by one, people are seen walking up to her and embracing her. People from all ages come forward and hug her without any biases. In the video, a text reads, "There are only three main ways of contracting HIV - through blood, unprotected sex and from mother to child. HIV is not transmitted when you hug and kiss, say hello, shake hands, share lunch."

Hundreds of people started sending her virtual hugs from all over the world. Since being posted last evening, the video has been liked more than 5000 times and been retweeted more than 2000 times.

Twitterati Sends Across Millions of Hugs

The said in the video, "I didn't expect so much support. Each time someone hugged me, it felt like a family member. I imagined it was my mother, grandmother and my sister hugging me. Thank you everyone for the support." According to UNICEF, an estimated 36.9 million people were living with HIV worldwide in 2017. Of these, 3 million were children and adolescents under 20 years of age and about 19.1 million were women and girls.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 25, 2018 05:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).