World AIDS Day

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the disease that causes AIDS, has claimed the lives of 36.3 million individuals as of July 17, 2021. By the end of 2020, there were approximately 37.7 million people living with the disease. In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared December 1 as World AIDS Day. The day provides a chance for people across the world to come together in the battle against the disease. The theme for this year is, quite aptly, ‘End Inequalities. End AIDS'.

Symptoms

People may have no symptoms or an influenza-like sickness, such as fever, headache, rash, or sore throat, in the first few weeks following infection. Individuals may develop other signs and symptoms — swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, diarrhoea, and cough — when the virus impairs the immune system.

The disease can be transmitted in the following ways:

Through body fluids from infected people, such as blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions.

From a pregnant mother to the child.

 By having unprotected sex.

Sharing or exchanging needles, syringes, or any other injecting equipment that has been contaminated.

 While receiving unsafe injections, blood transfusions, or medical procedures that involve unsterile cutting or piercing.

Treatment

According to WHO, there is no cure for HIV infection. However, thanks to increased access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, the infection has become a manageable chronic health condition, allowing people with it to live long and healthy lives. HIV can be managed by treatment with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.