International AIDS day is celebrated each year on 1st December. HIV AIDs is considered as a taboo in society but talking about it is important so it doesn't remains as one. But why do we celebrate it? What is its importance? Lets figure it out?
What is AIDS?
AIDS is Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is chronic disease and can be life threatening caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). This virus interferes with the immune system and affect the ability of body to fight with an infection or disease.
It is believed that it emerged in Africa first when humans hunted Chimpanzees and came in contact with the infected blood and it later spread to other parts of the world through human to human contacts. It can be sexually transmitted or by coming in contact with infected blood or illicit injection drug use or sharing needles. So make sure you cross check your doctor is using hygienic tools to check and treat you.
Is there a cure to AIDS?
As specific, there is no cure but it can be cured as in the past it had been done by medicines and the cases are reduced by preventing it spread to others and international organizations are working to increase the availability of prevention measures and treatment in resource-poor countries.
Possible signs and symptoms include:
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches and joint pain
Rash
Sore throat and painful mouth sores
Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Cough
Night sweats
Why do we celebrate International AIDS Day?
International days are dedicated to the masses to spread awareness about certain issues. To spread alertness about HIV AIDS, ‘International AIDS Day’ is observed as one among those days.
According to unaids.org, every year, United Nations agencies, governments and civil society join together to campaign around specific themes related to HIV.
Awareness-raising activities take place around the globe.
Many people wear a red ribbon, the universal symbol of awareness of, support for and solidarity with people living with HIV.
People living with HIV make their voice heard on issues important in their lives.
Groups of people living with HIV and other civil society organizations involved in the AIDS response mobilize in support of the communities they serve and to raise funds.
Events highlight the current state of the epidemic.
It first started with the World Health Organization ( WHO) in 1988, who initiated to exchange HIV AIDS related information among federal and local governments so also other non-state actors.
Societal issues to AIDS
HIV AIDS is still considered a taboo and people who are diagnosed HIV positive are looked differently in the society and usually face discrimination. Just think like, in the beginning of COVID, COVID positive patients were discriminated by the society but we need to understand this its a disease which anyone can have and taking our care should be the point and not demeaning the person as he or she must be already stressed because of the disease and societal behavior can lead to bad health effects and mental stress.
As the theme of this year is 'Equalize', it means that UNAIDS is urging each of us to address the inequalities which are holding back progress in ending AIDS.
According to the WHO Report, “ Since the beginning of the epidemic, 84.2 million people have been infected with the HIV virus and about 40.1 million people have died of HIV. Globally, 38.4 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2021.”
The target of the WHO is to eliminate HIV AIDS as a health threat and the major role player in these are the both government and non government organizations where all of us need to make people aware. Talking about it relieves half the taboo and stress that anyone might have regarding HIV AIDS.
In end, the message of the blog must be clear, let's not make it like a discriminatory or end of life thing, rather being supportive is important.
stay tuned for more.
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