Every year on December 1, people all across the world observe World AIDS Day. People get together from all over the world to support individuals who are HIV-positive and to memorialize those who have died from AIDS-related diseases.
Theme of World AIDS Day's 2022
The theme of World AIDS Day's 2022 is "Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV." It calls for worldwide cooperation to end the imbalances and injustices that obstruct HIV testing, prevention, and access to care.
World AIDS Day was first commemorated in 1988 and is a day to come together to fight HIV and honor those who have died from AIDS-related diseases.
The significance of World AIDS Day
One of the deadliest pandemics in history, despite the virus only being discovered in 1984, has claimed the lives of almost 35 million people. Today, there are laws protecting those living with HIV, there have been scientific improvements in HIV therapy, and we know a lot more about the disease. Despite this, many individuals are diagnosed with HIV each year while many others living with the disease still experience stigma and prejudice. They may not always know how to protect themselves and others.
Unfortunately, there is still a widespread misperception that HIV and AIDS are similar. Moreover, it encourages stigmatization and prejudices against HIV-positive persons.
What is HIV?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that targets immune system cells, rendering an individual more susceptible to various illnesses and infections. It is transferred by sharing injection equipment or through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected individual, most frequently during unprotected intercourse (sex without the use of a condom or HIV medication to prevent or treat HIV).
HIV can cause AIDS if not properly treated (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
HIV cannot be eliminated by the human body, and there is no HIV treatment that works. Therefore, if you have HIV, you will always have it.
Antiretroviral therapy, or ART, an effective HIV treatment option, is fortunately accessible. HIV medications have the ability to significantly lower the viral load, another name for the quantity of HIV in the blood if taken as directed. The term for this is viral suppression. A person is said to have an undetected viral load if their viral load is so low that a typical lab is unable to detect it. People with HIV can live long, healthy lives and will not spread the virus through intercourse to their HIV-negative partners if they take their HIV medications as directed and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load.
Additionally, there are effective ways to avoid contracting HIV through sex or drug use, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a drug that people who are at risk for contracting HIV take to avoid contracting HIV through sex or injecting drugs, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a drug that HIV-positive people must take within 72 hours of potential exposure to stop the virus from establishing a foothold. Find more about further HIV prevention measures.
What is AIDS?
AIDS is a late stage of HIV infection that develops after the immune system of the body has been severely compromised by the virus.
Because HIV medications are taken as directed, the majority of HIV-positive Americans do not advance to AIDS.
When does a person with HIV is said to have developed AIDS?
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When their CD4 cell count is less than 200 cells per milliliter of blood (200 cells/mm3). (CD4 levels in people with healthy immune systems range from 500 to 1,600 cells/mm3) or
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Regardless of their CD4 level, they experience one or more opportunistic infections.
People with AIDS often live for three years without HIV medication. The average person's life expectancy without treatment drops to roughly one year after they get a serious opportunistic disease. Perhaps at this stage of HIV infection, HIV medication can still benefit patients and even save lives. However, those who begin HIV medication as soon as they are diagnosed with HIV find greater advantages; for this reason, HIV testing is crucial.
HIV Stages
There are three stages of HIV infection:
Stage 1: This is the earliest stage. It is also called the “acute” stage. You might have a fever, rash, fatigue, chills, and other flu-like symptoms. However, you might be symptomless. If so, they could begin 2-4 weeks after you get the infection. The virus aggressively multiplies itself at this time.
Stage 2: During this phase, HIV keeps reproducing and gradually weakens your immune system. You could not have any symptoms or feel ill. However, HIV still exists and can still be transmitted to others. This period can extend for several decades.
Stage 3: This is the stage when you reach AIDS. You are now more susceptible to additional ailments since your immune system has been severely compromised.
Risk Factors for HIV
HIV may infect anyone. You're more likely to get it if you:
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possess several sexual partners
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Have intercourse with an HIV-positive person without any prevention
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Sharing syringes or needles with an HIV-positive person
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Possessing another sexually transmitted disease (STI), such as gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, or syphilis.
How to Prevent HIV?
The best way to avoid getting HIV is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex, or to avoid sharing needles. Sharing needles for any reason is a risky proposition. If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI with the following steps:
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Condoms. The best method for preventing HIV and other STIs during intercourse is to use male latex condoms. Put the condom on before the penis contacts the vagina, mouth, or anus since a male does not need to ejaculate (come) to give or receive some STIs. Condoms for women can also aid in preventing HIV infection. You won't be protected from STDs by other birth control methods including birth control pills, injections, implants, or diaphragms (STIs).
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Take a test. Make sure you and your partner get STI and HIV testing done. Before you have sex, discuss the test results with each other. You are more likely to get HIV during intercourse if you have a STI. Your chance of contracting HIV is significantly increased if your partner already has a STI. Get your HIV test as well if you have a STI.
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Continue to be monogamous. Your risk of contracting HIV and other STIs can be reduced by only having intercourse with one person. Be loyal to one another after getting tested for STIs to lower the chance of getting an STD. That implies that you exclusively engage in sexual activity with one another.
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Don't have too many sexual partners. Your risk of contracting HIV and other STDs increases with the number of sexual partners you have (STIs).
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Get immunized. You can get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted diseases hepatitis B and HPV. HIV cannot be treated or prevented with a vaccination.
