By: Muzamil Arif
HIV remains a major public health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Every year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS.
The theme of World AIDS Day 2021 is “End inequalities. End AIDS”. With a special focus on reaching people left behind, WHO and its partners are highlighting the growing inequalities in access to essential HIV services.
World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988. Each year, organizations and individuals across the world bring attention to the HIV epidemic, endeavour to increase HIV awareness and knowledge, speak out against HIV stigma, and call for an increased response to move toward Ending the HIV Epidemic. It was first observed in 1988.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex or through sharing injection drug equipment. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the virus.
AIDS is a chronic, potentially life-threatening health condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that interferes with the body’s ability to fight infections. Apart from the disease itself, the lack of awareness and social taboos associated with HIV and AIDS are also worsening the condition.
The disease is also rapidly spreading due to the transmission by coming in direct contact with certain body fluids from a person infected with HIV, who has a detectable viral load. It can be blood, semen, rectal fluid, vaginal fluid or breast milk. It is also transmitted by having unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, sharing drug equipment like needles etc.
Furthermore, HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. It is also transmitted by receiving blood transfusion or organ tissue transplants that are contaminated with HIV.
Since Aids has no actual treatment, prevention becomes the key to safeguard life against this deadly disease. One must make sure using protective techniques, not using contaminated needles, preventing mother to child transmission etc.
If someone is aware of the infection in their body, make sure they are on the right treatment path. Apart from being aware of fresh or sterilized needles at hospitals, be aware of fresh needles at piercing and tattoos shop as well.
The writer is a Graduate Student. muzamilarifbatt@gmail.com/ muzzimuzzi783@gmail.com.
