World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1st to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to commemorate those who have lost their lives to the disease.
The theme for World AIDS Day 2024 is “Take the rights path: My health, my right!”.
About HIV/AIDS
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) are closely related but distinct medical conditions:https://www.iasjnana.com/
HIV:
Virus: HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections.
Transmission: HIV is transmitted through certain body fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk.
Common modes of transmission include unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
Symptoms: Early symptoms of HIV infection can include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
However, some people may not experience symptoms for years.
Progression: Without treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS.https://www.iasjnana.com/
AIDS:
Condition: AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection when the body’s immune system is severely damaged.
Symptoms: Symptoms of AIDS can include rapid weight loss, recurring fever, night sweats, and persistent fatigue.
Diagnosis: AIDS is diagnosed when the CD4 cell count falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood or when the person develops one or more opportunistic infections.
Treatment: While there is no cure for HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) can effectively manage the virus, allowing people living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives.
ART reduces the viral load in the body, preventing the progression to AIDS and reducing the risk of transmission.
Global Impact:
Statistics: As of 2023, there were approximately 39.9 million people living with HIV worldwide, with the majority in the WHO African Region.
In 2023, around 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes.
Goals: The global community aims to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, with targets for diagnosis, treatment, and viral suppression.
Karnataka state sees drop in HIV cases:
The HIV test positive rate (TPR) in Karnataka has been declining for the last one decade.
The positive rate at the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) has dropped from 1.77% in 2013-14 to 0.33% in 2024-25 (till October).
However, this is slightly higher than the national average of 0.22%.
Karnataka is among the top three states with the highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) after neighboring Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
