World AIDS Day is an annual observance on December 1 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to mourn those who died from the disease. The first world AIDS day was held in 1988, conceived by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization.
The theme for World AIDS Day 2024 is “Take the rights path: My health, my right!”.
The deadly consequences of AIDS: What you need to know:
AIDS is a fatal condition arising from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV, left untreated, will progress into AIDS, where the immune system is weakened and the body can easily succumb to opportunistic infections and cancers.AIDS brings with it the risks of serious illnesses like pneumonia, tuberculosis, and cancers, neurological disorders, and death. Early diagnosis and treatment improve the quality of life and prevent complications significantly.
HIV infection: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is transmitted through the body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
Transmission: HIV can be transmitted through:
- Unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral)\
- Sharing needles or syringes
- Mother-to-child transmission in pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding
- Blood transfusion: This is rarely seen because blood screening is very strict in some countries
- Replication in the host body: Within the human body, HIV attacks and destroys CD4 cells. This is a subset of T
- cells necessary for immunity.
- Weakening of immunity: The higher the cells being destroyed by HIV, the weaker becomes the body’s immunity due to inefficient control of diseases and infections in the body.
AIDS Development: HIV, if untreated, can evolve into AIDS, which is a syndrome characterized by
- Immune System Severely damaged
- Opportunistic infections (e.g., pneumonia, tuberculosis)
- Cancers (e.g., Kaposi’s sarcoma)
- Neurological disorders
Death Progression: Without treatment, AIDS can progress to severe diseases, failure of organs, and eventually death.
The following are the best methods for preventing HIV/AIDS:
- Practice Safe Sex: Use condoms properly and consistently for vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse.
- Get Tested: Regular HIV testing is important to recognize the infection early and treat it.
- Implement Protection: If inject drugs use sterile needles and syringes
- Do Not Share Personal Items. Do not share razors or toothbrushes or any other personal items exposed to the body fluids.
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). If you are at the risk of HIV infection then take PrEP medication, which needs to be administered daily
- Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). Take PEP if you think you have been exposed to HIV within 72 hours of exposure.
- Limit number of sexual partners: Reduce your risk by limiting your number of sexual partners.
- Select HIV testing and counseling: Get tested and receive counseling to reduce your risk.
- Advocate for HIV prevention programs: Advocate for and support programs that provide HIV prevention services.
- Educate and inform: Educate yourself about HIV/AIDS and share your knowledge with others.
Several biomedical interventions can also be utilized to prevent HIV transmission:
- Male Circumcision: This reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 50-60%.
- Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): This reduces the viral load of HIV-positive individuals, thus reducing the chances of transmission.
- HIV Vaccines: Several HIV vaccines are in development, but none have been approved for use yet.
Remember, awareness is key, and education is empowerment. let’s join forces to fight against HIV/AIDS and build a brighter future for all.