As we all know that the word AIDS is dangerous and gives the feeling of wrong things as the things involved or the way we think is not appropriate.
First reported in the world – 5 June 1981. It is also proved that Mr Jeanne Calment lived for 122 years and 164 days the oldest man ever lived (from Japan).
It is basically HIV – AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) – we commonly have the funda that it happens due to sex but it is half truth. Yes it is true that AIDS is a disease – and it is also observed that the person suffering from AIDS will not recover and will have die/ end ultimately in bad shape. As this disease attacks the immune system of the patient and reduces its resistance power of the body.
World aids day, designated on 01 December every year since 1988. It was first conveyed in 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter – two public information offices for the global programme on AIDS at WHO (World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
World AIDS day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
Lastly it is called “world HIV day” but in 1996 it was renamed as “World AIDS day”. In USA the white house began marking Worlds AIDS day with the iconic display of a 28 Foot (8.5 mtr.) AIDS ribbon on the building’s – North Portico in 2007 – president George W Bush administration proposed the display to symbolize the United States commitment to combat the worlds AIDS epidemic through landmark PEPFAR program – later changed to Abraham Lincoln. Last year’s theme – “Global Solidarity Shared responsibility” – described as “like no other”, due to COVID.
Originated – Africa , where humans caught it from Chimpanzees and other apes. Similarly humans get affected by apes and for them it is named as SIV cpz (simian immunodeficiency virus). Let us know how it spread in human – human following contact with infected chimpanzee blood during their hunting.
Consecutive 2 years AIDS focused on children and young people – later the scenario changed.
AS per 2017 data – AIDS killed 28.9 to 41.5 million peoples and estimated that 36.7 million people are living with HIV. Let us be careful with this disease as it gets transmitted due to various reasons from affected person to healthy body – using same needles/ unscreened blood ( by blood product), by mother to baby by pregnancy, labour or nursing, by having unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex.
South Africa has the highest number of people affected – its 7.5 million. It may be shocking but India has 3rd largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 2.1 million people I sustaining with HIV. Iys common reason – sex workers and man who have sex with man. As per the data state wise – Maharashtra on top followed by Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Delhi. First patient – Ken Horne found in 1980 april 24. 1st case reported in India – six sex worker of Chennai in 1986 – in same year India created AIDS committee with Ministry of Health and Family welfare.
As per the other virus it also shows its symptoms, such as – fever, sore throat and fatigue can occur – disease is asymptomatic until it progresses to AIDS. It also reduces the weight, fever or night sweats etc.
Still no medicine is invented for the same – so there is no cure – however treatment can be controlled and a person can live a long life. If someone thinks that some of the symptoms are matching – the best way to get tested – it is the only way to know for sure. If found positive it is advised to start antiretroviral treatment as soon as possible .Treatment is the one and only way to manage HIV and prevent it from damaging the immune system. It also reduces the risk of passing HIV on to your partners.
There are few people considered to have been cured such as Mississippi baby, but virus re-emerged.
Symbol – Red ribbon for solidarity with HIV- positive people and those living with AIDS.
Vaccine trail is still going on and I hope we can find the vaccine for the same. Till then stay protected and be alert as different virus is everywhere we have to save ourselves. We can protect yourself by knowledge only but others can only guide to do so – don’t give chance to virus as then it will not give chance to you chance – option is yours.
By Vivek Anand, Chhattisgarh
