WORLD AIDS DAY
- Did you know that knowledge is power?
Despite huge advances, people with HIV still face social stigma and decriminalization. These stigmas are created by multiple stereotypical factors like: racism, homophobia, myths and misinformation and the fear of HIV. It affects not just their health but also their mental wellbeing, stopping them from reaching out for help and support and most importantly from getting oneself from being tested. As we celebrate World Aids Day, let’s get deeper into the world of HIV/AIDS and wear the red ribbon. Understanding HIV is the first step in breaking the stereotypes.
HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that attacks cells that help the body, CD4 (or T4 or “helper cells”) fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. If left untreated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is considered to have progressed to AIDS when the CD4 count falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood. It is mainly spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person already infected with HIV most commonly unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing injection equipment or transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. But sweat, saliva and urine remain exceptional. HIV infection in humans came from a species of chimpanzee in Central Africa.
Studies show that HIV may have jumped from primates to humans as far back as the late 1800s. The infection has 3 different stages: Acute, Chronic, and the third stage: AIDS. This is the most severe stage of HIV infection. Individuals have high viral load and easily transmit HIV to others. They are at a very high risk of getting infections that are uncommon in people with healthy immune system. These “opportunistic” infections can affects any part of the body. The most common initial condition that alert the presence of AIDS are pneumocystis pneumonia. People also have an increased risk of developing viral induced cancer including Kaposi’s sarcoma or Burkitt’s lymphoma. AIDs was first recognized by the U.S Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention in 1981 and its cause- HIV infection. This disease was said to have caused at least 40 million deaths worldwide. HIV/AIDS is considered a pandemic- which is present over a large area and is actively spreading.
The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. If the test is negative, you have all the information you need to take steps to prevent getting HIV in the future. Unfortunately, there is no cure to this cruel disease. People with this disease deserve love and support.
Wear the iconic red ribbon and erase the stigma by fostering compassion and acceptance. Your support can change lives.
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