World AIDS Day, observed on 1 December each year, is dedicated to raising awareness
about the AIDS pandemic. The prevalence of AIDS is attributed to spread of HIV
infection. Worldwide, an estimated 33 million people live with HIV, making it one of
the worst epidemics in the world. Improved access to antiretroviral treatment and
care in many regions of the world have had little impact in mitigating the incidence
of AIDS.
The beginning of World AIDS Day can be traced to World Summit of Ministers of
Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention in 1988. It has been regular feature since,
with governments, international organisations and non-government organisations
taking up suitable measures.
Each year, a theme is chosen after consultation with global health organisations. Incountry
campaigns are also organised to spread awareness about the pandemic, and
ways to deal with it.
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system – the body’s defence against
diseases. The common symptoms of HIV (although not observed in all cases) are:
fever, rash, and severe throat sore - all three together; these symptoms deceptively
disappear in 2 to 3 weeks. The immune system becomes weak, and cannot fight off
illnesses.
HIV and AIDS are not same. AIDS is considered to have developed in a person
when the HIV virus in his body makes immune system so weak that it can no longer
fight a range of diseases.
There is no cure for AIDS. Yet, people on HIV treatment can lead a healthy, active
life though they may face some side effects. Once diagnosed early, treatment has
been quite effective, and the affected person leads a long life.
People living with AIDS need support
from healthcare providers, family members,
friends and workplace colleague.
Yet people find it hard to reveal others
that they are HIV positive, with the feeling
that people in society will reject
them. They are also likely to be discriminated
in their workplace.
Such prejudices are often the result of ignorance
about how HIV is passed on; it is
erroneously viewed as being transmitted
through infection.
Transmission: HIV is transmitted through
infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids or
breast milk. The most common ways of
spread of HIV are: sex without condom;
sharing infected needles; through HIVpositive
mother to her yet-to-be born child.
It can also be passed on through cuts, gum
problems or mouth ulcers. It does not pass
on through kissing or touching, coughing
or sneezing, toilet seats, swimming pools
or sharing of utensils.
Sex and AIDS: Oral sex has much lower
risk than penetrative sex.
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