World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease. Government and health officials, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world observe the day, often with education on AIDS prevention and control.
World AIDS Day is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along withWorld Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Malaria Day and World Hepatitis Day. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day.
As of 2013, AIDS has killed more than 36 million people worldwide (1981–2012), and an estimated 35.3 million people are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history. Despite recent improved access to antiretroviral treatment in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claims an estimated 2 million lives each year, of which about 270,000 are children.
WHAT IS HIV?
H – Human
Particular virus can only infect Humans.
Particular virus can only infect Humans.
I – Immunodeficiency
A deficient (weakened) immune system – after important cells have been destroyed your immune system loses it capability to fight disease and infection.
A deficient (weakened) immune system – after important cells have been destroyed your immune system loses it capability to fight disease and infection.
V – Virus
Something that can reproduce only by using a cell in your body as a host.
Something that can reproduce only by using a cell in your body as a host.
HIV may present like a common cold or the flu, the main difference that should be remembered is your body cannot fight off this virus and once you haveHIV it is a virus that you will have for life. So far there is no cure for this.
Your body has an array of different types of cells, your T-Cells (also known as CD4 cells) are a type of white blood cell that play a major role in your body’s ability to protect against infection. When these cells detect a trespasser like a virus or bacteria a signal is sent to the brain to activate your immune system.
When your immune system responds you may feel symptoms such as fevers, aches, pains and other symptoms that are all common signs of your body trying to fight the infection it is presented with. Each symptom helps the body combat infection, assist with repair and conserve any energy however when symptoms are not controlled and are in motion for long periods of time they can cause more harm than good.
Once infected with HIV the virus attacks and aims to destroy the T-Cells within that persons immune system which eventually leads to poor ability to fight further infection and leaves the individual open to other infections and diseases. Check out the HIV life cycle here to better understand how HIV replicates and spreads through the body.
Treatment for HIV comes in the form of ‘Anti-RetroViral Therapy‘ (ART) by taking such medication the levels of HIV in your body can be controlled and kept at a lower level than if they are left untreated. ART is a combination of medications taken daily to fight the HIV infection – although it will not go away this is a method of control to aid the individual in leading and longer healthier life and reducing the risks of transmitting the disease to others. With ART an individual that is diagnosed with HIV can now have an almost ‘normal’ life expectancy whereas before the introduction of such therapy people with HIVcould advance to AIDS in just a few short years.
As time passes HIV may destroy so many of your T-Cells that your body is completely incapable of fighting ANY infection or disease. When this happens HIV can go into its final stage also known as AIDS. However please do not make the mistake in thinking that EVERYONE who suffers fromHIV progresses to AIDS.
WHAT IS AIDS?
A– Acquired
Cannot be inherited but can be picked up after birth
Cannot be inherited but can be picked up after birth
I – Immuno
The body’s immune system – organs and cells that fight of infection and disease
The body’s immune system – organs and cells that fight of infection and disease
D – Deficiency
Not working the way it should.
Not working the way it should.
S – Syndrome
A group of symptoms that together are a characteristic of a certain disease.
With regards to AIDS as it is not a single disease it is known as a syndrome – this is due to its complex nature and range of complications and symptoms that occur.
A group of symptoms that together are a characteristic of a certain disease.
With regards to AIDS as it is not a single disease it is known as a syndrome – this is due to its complex nature and range of complications and symptoms that occur.
As mentioned in the HIV section of this post AIDS is not something that everyone who suffers from HIV will eventually have as it is the final stage of HIV. People who unfortunately reach this stage suffer with extremely badly damaged immune systems which pose an increased risk of infections (known as opportunistic infections -OI’s).
Check out the list of OI’s here. The individual is considered to have advanced to AIDS when they suffer from on or more of the OI’s on that list, certain cancers (Lymphoma, Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma, Kaposi’s Sarcoma, Anal Cancer and Invasive Cervical Cancer) or an extremely low T-Cell count.
With the mention of Cancer please remember thatHIV does not cause Cancer however it greatly increases the risk. If you have AIDS then it is imperative that you seek treatment and medical intervention to prevent death.
With the mention of Cancer please remember thatHIV does not cause Cancer however it greatly increases the risk. If you have AIDS then it is imperative that you seek treatment and medical intervention to prevent death.
As mentioned above scientists are yet to find a cure for HIV/AIDS however the fight continues.
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