World Aids Day is celebrated every year since 1988 on the 1st of December. On the occasion of this day people from all around the world unite to fight against one of the biggest health battles- HIV AIDS. They spread awareness by conducting various programmes and also commemorate those who have lost their lives from this serious illness. This year, the World Health Organization is commemorating World AIDS Day, under the theme “Equalize”. With the belief that equalizing will lead to inclusivity and equity for all, we should work towards taking individual steps in that direction.
HIV AIDS stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the final and most serious stage of HIV infection. In simple terms, it is a life threatening condition caused by human immunodeficiency syndrome. The HIV virus attacks the immune system and reduces the risk to fight back from any disease.
HIV AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) was identified way back in the year 1984 but was not known by many people around the world. While exchanging information among the National Government and International Government, the WHO (World Health Organization) declared World Aids Day on 1st December 1988. The government and the people unite with each other to show support to those suffering with this serious health condition by conducting several programs. Different theme is chosen every year in order to spread awareness and raise funds for people who cannot afford their treatment while they spend their lives suffering from this deadly illness. About 40.1 million people have lost their lives due to HIV so far. In the year 2021 alone, around 650,000 people died and 1.5 billion people acquired HIV.
Poverty, racism and other social stigmas around HIV continue to suppress inequity and keep people away from accessing high-quality healthcare. Less than half of those who are suffering from HIV/AIDS have no access to the available antiretroviral treatment. It has never been more important to draw attention to the inequalities in such health treatment, in order to stop its spread once and for all.
We should work on a few practical measures such as:
- Sharing information through technology so that every person infected from HIV can get equal access to appropriate treatment.
- To increase the availability of service and treatment for people suffering from HIV.
- Reformation of policies, laws and practice of social stains faced by people having HIV. One should actively advocate for a space where all of us feel comfortable living and sharing our health struggles.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV AND AIDS
HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system and AIDS is a condition that can happen as a result of an HIV infection when your immune system is weakened. You can’t get AIDS if you aren’t infected with HIV. But there are treatments that slow down the effects of the virus, not everyone with HIV progresses in getting AIDS. But without the treatment, almost all the people living with HIV tend to advance to AIDS in about 10 years
CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND PREVENTION
There are several myths around the fact that HIV AIDS only affects certain people. But the truth is anyone can be infected with HIV and can get the virus. HIV attacks the immune system's T-cells and weakens the system to fight through any other diseases. It is primarily said that the symptoms of HIV start after several weeks of being infected. Some people experience only a few symptoms while others don’t experience them at all. HIV can be commonly spread by
- Using the same needless to inject drugs
- Breastmilk
- Having unprotected sex
- Blood (including menstruation blood)
"Prevention is always better than cure." - as said by Desiderious Erasmus. Thus, it's important to consider and practice prevention and care. There are many ways one can prevent new transmission of HIV :
- Getting tested
- Getting educated
- Having safe intercourse
- Using of HIV prevention medicines
- Having single sexual partner
- Usage of hygienic needless
Marking the significance of World Aids Day, we should all come together to celebrate it by inculcating some of these practices:
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Educate yourself
There is no harm in getting yourself educated about HIV AIDS and how it spreads, its causes and ways to prevent yourself from getting HIV. As one of the famous quotes by Nelson Mendela says, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
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Get yourself tested
On World Aids Day, health care programs are organized in various health care centers where there are walk-in tests conducted. One should consider being a part of it to be aware of your own health concerns.
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Spread Awareness
One of the simplest ways of spreading awareness is by wearing a red ribbon. It is the universal symbol of spreading awareness about this important day. People around the world wear a red ribbon on their clothing to show their support for the people living with HIV and AIDS.
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Get involved in various Aids program
There are many online as well as offline programs that are conducted during this day. You can get yourself involved in these programs to know more about Aids. Health Care Organizers raise funds for those people who cannot afford their treatment. In order to lend a helping hand, you can also donate any amount of money.
World's Aids Day is a very important global health day. It is a reminder to each one of us that HIV has not gone away. We must always unite and fight together in increasing awareness, equalizing and spreading more and more knowledge about HIV AIDS.