• World AIDS Day takes place on 1 December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.

    • It has become one of the most recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories, such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

    • Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.

    • Year 2020 theme is Global solidarity, shared responsibility.

    • Global solidarity and shared responsibility requires us to view global health responses, including the AIDS response, in a new way. It requires the world to come together.

    • Globally, there are an estimated 38 million people who have the virus. 

    • Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

    • 25.4 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy.

    • 1.7 million people became newly infected with HIV.

    • 690,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in the past year.

    • Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition.

    • World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

    • Getting tested is the only way to find out if you have HIV. If you are living with HIV, starting treatment early means you can live a full, healthy and productive life.

HIV & AIDS

    • HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.

    • It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex (sex without a condom or HIV medicine to prevent or treat HIV), or through sharing injection drug equipment.

    • If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

    • However, by taking HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART), people with HIV can live long and healthy lives and prevent transmitting HIV to their sexual partners.

    • First identified in 1981, HIV is the cause of one of humanity’s deadliest and most persistent epidemics.

    • AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the virus.

    • Symptoms of AIDS can include:

        ◦ Rapid weight loss

        ◦ Recurring fever or profuse night sweats

        ◦ Extreme and unexplained tiredness

        ◦ Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck

        ◦ Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week

        ◦ Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals

        ◦ Pneumonia

        ◦ Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids

        ◦ Memory loss, depression, and other neurologic disorders.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants. The views expressed here are personal.)