Theme for 2023: Let communities lead.
World AIDS Day was established in 1988. It is annually observed on December 1 to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It is estimated that forty milion people died of HIV globally since 1981. Over 250,000 minors die of this malady each year.
Here we have Dr. Prabir Chatterjee of West Bengal, India , medical expert, giving us some practical steps.
How does AIDS/ HIV spread?
It spreads from infected partner to partner (husband or wife), from mother to child. And through infected needles, infected blood and unprotected sexual contact with infected people.
Prevention:
There are many ways to prevent HIV- such as abstinence before choosing a life partner, faithfulness to a life partner, safe injection practices and safety of blood and blood products. Those using injectable drugs- either for treatment or to satisfy an addiction are at risk. So are those who live far from their families and are tempted to approach temporary sexual partners.
Doctors, nurses and patients are at risk. They can be protected by use of gloves, goggles, protective gowns, as well by using disposable and sterilized needles. These need to be decontaminated after use and disposed safely too.
Symptoms of AIDS:
The infected person will have fever for over 2 weeks, loss of weight, diarrhea for more than 2 weeks. These are common early symptoms. Fungal infection in the mouth, certain rare skin cancers, slow onset
(cryptococcal) meningitis can happen too. Often there is Tuberculosis or recurrence of TB. So the government now tests all TB patients to rule out TB. All blood that is donated is tested for HIV and some other diseases. And effort is made to test all pregnant mothers if they agree. Preventive medicines can be given so that children do not get the infection from infected mothers. Also there is preventive medicine for those who get needle prick injuries after the needle has been used by an HIV affected person.
HIV cannot spread by shaking hands or hugging. It can not spread through food or plates or through insect bites either.
Care and concern:
Those with HIV have a right to be loved, to be cared for, to work, to support themselves, to live normal lives and live in normal families like anyone else in society. People Living With HIV/ AIDS have a right to confidentiality.
Health Workers have a right (and a duty) to use Universal Precautions. That way they protect themselves from even unknown HIV.
It would be commendable if scientists can invent a vaccine for HIV but this does not exist yet. Neither does a complete cure. It is good to protect oneself from this disease.
