1st December is celebrated as World AIDS Day all around the globe and there is no time better than this day to recommit ourselves to achieve an AIDS-free generation. It is a very important day as it reminds us that HIV has not gone away and that we all must unite together to fight against HIV and to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education to maintain and achieve the aims and objective. Also, to support people living with HIV and remember those who have died.
WHAT IS AIDS?
The word AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which is caused by the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) virus. It is the last stage of infection which occurs when the immune system is damaged beyond repair and the body becomes vulnerable to infections and diseases. As the time progresses, the immune system gets weaker and reaches such a height when, even a simple common cold can take the person’s life. Both the syndrome and the virus, together, is known as HIV/AIDS. And though it is not as much a taboo right now, HIV positive patients still suffer from the social stigma.
The HIV virus is found in the bodily fluids of a person like-blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk, etc. thus, the virus can be transferred through sexual contact, blood transfusions, using the same needles, etc.
HIV positive necessarily doesn’t mean that the person has AIDS. One can carry the HIV virus and yet not have AIDS. However, if it is not treated in time, it can lead to AIDS. This distinction is another significant aspect which people need to be aware of. HIV is the virus which attacks and weakens the T-cells in the immune system. AIDS is the medical condition brought on by HIV virus. HIV positive person can be treated and effectively cured too. While, on the other hand, there is no cure for AIDS infection. One can only take precautions.
The HIV positive person and an AIDS patient suffer the same social trauma as the other. Just when we think that the society is becoming open-minded, the mere attitude towards a HIV/AIDS patient, proves it wrong. No one is blind to the discrimination faced by these patients. So, let this World AIDS Day, actually make a difference and make more and more people aware.
TRANSMISSION
What usually people think when they hear a person has AIDS or is HIV positive is that they must had unprotected intercourse, but actually there are many more causes and different ways of transmission. While a ten year old can be HIV positive inherently, on the other hand, an hour’s tattoo session can get you the virus too. Thus, in this case, precaution and prevention is the best option available. Now let us have a look at the various forms of transmission of the HIV virus:
1. SEXUAL TRANSMISSION- One of the most hyped and common way of contracting the HIV virus. Unprotected sexual intercourse (rectal, vaginal, oral), sharing sex toys, or coming in contact with infected sexual secretions can lead to the transmission of the HIV virus.
2. BLOOD TRANSMISSION- Though nowadays, this is the least common way of contracting the HIV virus, yet one needs to be aware of it as well. Drug users are the most affected lot from this method. Using the same syringe repeatedly and sharing of syringes can lead to the transmission of HIV virus form one person to other. Similarly, when you go to the tattoo parlor or for piercing, make sure to use a clean and unused needle. Also, blood transfusions is another aspect. However, now we have meticulous tests before any blood is used for medical purposes.
3. PRENATAL TRANSMISSION- It generally occurs when the pregnant mother is the carrier of the HIV virus. However, it is not necessary that the baby will be HIV positive too. Yet, the virus can be passed during the gestation period, childbirth or while breast feeding. Thus, doctors these days insist upon a HIV check up too during pregnancy.
THE HIV/AIDS STIGMA
If you know any HIV/AIDS patient then you can truly understand how they are stuck in-between their own personal trauma and the social trauma. Indeed, no amount of words can explain their situation. Their first and foremost fight is with themselves. They need to accept themselves and their condition and then come to terms with it. And as if it is not enough, we have the society and sometimes even the Government to add to it. I was reading a post online when I came across a piece where a lady was informing about the ‘Anti-AIDS law’ in Singapore. The doctors there are required to immediately inform the Government if any one is HIV+ or even is suspected to have the symptoms. And if it’s a non-resident then the person is deported with immediate effect. While the world is still protesting against the Anti-LGBT laws, here in Singapore, a HIV/AIDS patient is treated as an alien. Even if they come to terms with their condition and some of them are brave enough to share with the world, the society completely disregards them. Apart from the discrimination, they are looked down upon and even feared as if they are the some time-bomb.
Thus, what we can do the least is to support them through their treatment and stop the discrimination. Raising awareness is the most important and the basic aspect. Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy released a statement announcing the theme of World’s AIDS Day as “THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW”. In his statement he mentioned the combine efforts required to prevent this epidemic and that “There is no better time than World AIDS Day to recommit ourselves to achieving an AIDS-free generation. This year, we will celebrate the tremendous progress we have made together in expanding access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care services, and focus on the potential to achieve sustainable epidemic control and end AIDS as a public health threat.”
PREVENTION & PRECAUTION
There may be no cure of AIDS yet, but we can take some precautions and a little management can save this epidemic from spreading. If not contain, then at least, let us jointly make an effort to restrict this disease and virus’ growth.
1. SAFE SEX- Use condoms while having intercourse. They are many options available now-a-days. You can buy them online too. From various flavored condoms to dotted ones. You can home deliver these with discreet packaging from sites like Healthgenie, flipkart, amazon, etc. Even if you forget to put one on then a little vaginal gel helps avoids HIV and other STDs as well. Avoid sharing sex toys, too.
2. NO NEEDLE SHARING- Whenever you go for a blood test or inoculation, make sure of getting a clean and new syringe. Otherwise it may lead to contracting various other illnesses as well, apart from HIV, like, hepatitis C, STDs, etc.
3. AWAY FROM BODY FLUIDS- By taking precautions against exposed contaminated blood and other body fluids, you can minimize the risk of exposure to HIV. Even if skin contact appears, immediate washing of hand and sanitizing can reduce the risk of contracting the virus.
4. PRECAUTIONS DURING PREGNANCY- With certain medications during your pregnancy, the risk of the baby getting HIV affected can be effectively reduced. An elaborate treatment plan is issued by the doctors and following it thoroughly can minimize the risk. Though in some cases, Caesarean delivery may be necessary, but not always.
Spreading awareness and standing up against the discrimination is our responsibility and to quote Elizabeth Taylor, “It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance”.
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