HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is a major global public health issue. The term refers to a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is not a movie, book, or brand, but a medical condition that has had a profound impact on society, culture, and science worldwide.

What Are HIV and AIDS?

• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): This is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. Specifically, it targets the CD4 cells (a type of T cell), which are crucial for fighting off infections. If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells in the body, making the person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.

• AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome): This is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when their immune system is so severely damaged that they develop certain opportunistic infections or cancers, or when their CD4 cell count drops below a critical level (200 cells/mm³).

It is important to note that a person can have HIV without having AIDS. With proper medical care, many people with HIV never progress to AIDS.

Transmission and Prevention

Understanding how HIV is transmitted is key to preventing its spread and combating stigma.

HIV is transmitted through:

• Unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral) with an infected person.
• Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment contaminated with infected blood.
• From a mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
• Receiving infected blood transfusions or organ transplants (this is now extremely rare in countries with rigorous screening processes).

HIV is NOT transmitted through:

• Air or water.
• Insects, including mosquitoes or ticks.
• Saliva, tears, or sweat (that is not mixed with the blood of an infected person).
• Casual contact like shaking hands, hugging, or sharing toilets, dishes, or food.

Key Prevention Methods:

• Condoms: Consistent and correct use of condoms during sex.
• Testing: Regular HIV testing to know one's status.
• PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): A daily medication for HIV-negative people at high risk, which can significantly reduce the risk of getting HIV.
• PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis): A course of antiretroviral drugs taken within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent infection.
• Treatment as Prevention (TasP): People with HIV who take their medication (ART) daily as prescribed and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of sexually transmitting the virus to an HIV-negative partner. This is known as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

Treatment and Living with HIV

While there is no cure for HIV, it is a manageable chronic health condition.

• Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): This is the use of HIV medicines to treat the infection. It involves taking a combination of drugs daily. ART cannot cure HIV, but it can reduce the amount of virus in the body (the viral load) to a very low level, a state known as viral suppression.
• Living a Healthy Life: With effective ART, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and have a life expectancy close to that of the general population. The U=U principle has also been revolutionary in reducing stigma and empowering people living with HIV.

Global Impact: A Statistical Snapshot

The global response to HIV/AIDS is one of the most significant public health efforts in history. Organizations like UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO) track its impact.

Source: UNAIDS Global HIV & AIDS statistics — 2023 fact sheet

Awareness and Culture

• World AIDS Day: Observed on December 1st every year, it is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic, mourning those who have died of the disease, and celebrating victories like increased access to treatment and prevention services.
• The Red Ribbon: The red ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV.