WORLD AIDS DAY – DECEMBER 1ST

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

As per the recently released, India HIV Estimation 2019 report, Overall, the estimated adult (15–49 years) HIV prevalence trend has been declining in India since the epidemic’s peak in the year 2000 and has been stabilizing in recent years. The estimate for this indicator was 0.22% (0.17–0.29%) in 2019 (see Figure 1). In the same year, HIV prevalence among adult males (15–49 years) was estimated at 0.24% (0.18–0.32%) and among adult females at 0.20% (0.15–0.26%).

The red ribbon is the universal symbol Of awareness and support for those living with HIV. It aims to-

• Alert governments in framing unbiased policies for vulnerable population
• Spreads message that let HIV victims enjoy equal status in the society.
• Enhance social protection mechanism for people with HIV

What is HIV/AIDS?

HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus which attacks the body’s immune system. It invades the helper T cells (CD4 cells) in the body of the host (defense mechanism of a person). The most advanced stage of HIV infection is Acquired Immuno deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which can take from 2 to 15 years to develop depending on the individual. A person with AIDS has a very weak immune system. Disease limits the body’s ability to fight infection. Some scientists believe HIV spread from monkeys to human beings during1926 – 1946. In 1959 a man died in Congo, in what researchers now say was the first proven AIDS death.

Infected person can infect other people with no symptoms at all or short, flu-like illness – occurs one to six weeks after infection.  HIV antibodies are detectable in the blood. The level of HIV in the blood drops to very low levels. There may be swollen glands. This stage is free from symptoms and lasts for an average of ten years.

 

Transmission of HIV Infection

HIV can be transmitted by

• Sexual contact 88%
• Mother to child 15-45%
• Breast feeding
• Occupational exposure
• Blood transfusion

 

Symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infection. Though people living with HIV tend to be most infectious in the first few months, many are unaware of their status until later stages.

 

 SYMPTOMS OF HIV INFECTION

The first few weeks after initial infection, individuals may experience

• No Symptoms OR
• Or an influenza-like illness including Fever > 1 month Sorethroat
• Headache
• Rash

As the infection progressively weakens the person’s immune system, the individual can develop other signs and symptoms such as :

• Unexplained Weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Persistent Diarrhoea > 1 month
• Persistent Cough > 1 month
• Persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your tongue or in your mouth
• Soaking night sweats
• Shaking chills or fever higher than 100 F (38 C) for several weeks
• Persistent, unexplained fatigue
• Skin rashes
• Headaches
• Blurred and distorted vision
• Cough and shortness of breath

 

The common opportunistic infections encountered by HIV/AIDS patients are:

• Tuberculosis (Pulmonary and extra-pulmonary)
• Candidiasis
• Pneumocysitis carini
• Toxoplasmosis
• Cryptococcosis
• Cryptosporidial Diarrhoea
• Cytomegolo virus infections
• Marneffea infections (a fungus infection in North Eastern part of the country)

 

MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION

In the absence of any interventions during pregnancy, Rate of HIV transmission from mother-to-child can be between 15-45%. MTCT can be nearly prevented with ARV drugs throughout the stages when infection could occur.

 

INVESTIGATIONS

An HIV test reveals infection status by detecting the presence or absence of antibodies to HIV in the blood. Antibodies are produced by an individual’s immune system to fight off foreign pathogens.

 

DIAGNOSIS

HIV test is done to detect human immunodeficiency virus in saliva, serum or urine. The UNAIDS/WHO policy statement on HIV Testing states that conditions under which people undergo HIV testing must be anchored in a human rights approach that pays due respect to ethical principles

 

Window period: There is a period of time between HIV infection and the appearance of anti-HIV antibodies that can be measured which is called “window period”. Antibody tests may give false negative (no antibodies are detected despite the presence of HIV) results during the window period, an interval of three weeks to six months between the time of HIV infection and the production of measurable antibodies to HIV sero conversion.

CD4 count: CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell that’s specifically targeted and destroyed by HIV. A healthy person’s CD4 count can vary from 500 to more than 1,000. Even if a person has no symptoms, HIV infection progresses to AIDS when his or her CD4 count becomes less than 200.

Rapid or point-of-care tests: The rapid test is an immunoassay used for screening, and it produces quick results, in 20 minutes or less. Rapid tests use blood or oral fluid to look for antibodies to HIV. If an immunoassay (lab test or rapid test) is conducted during the window period  (i.e., the period after exposure but before the test can find antibodies), the test may not find antibodies and may give a false negative result. All immunoassays that are positive need a follow up test to confirm the result.

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay): ELISA is set of blood tests used to diagnose HIV infection.  ELISA test is performed by inserting a needle to draw blood. A positive result on the ELISA screening test does not necessarily mean that the person has HIV infection. Certain conditions may lead to a false positive result, such as Lyme disease,syphilis, and lupus.

Western Blot: A positive ELISA test is always followed by a  Western blot test which confirm the HIV infection.
*NHP provides indicative information for better understanding of health. For any   treatment and diagnosis purpose you should consult your physician.

 

PREVENTION OF HIV TRANSMISSION

• Male and Female condom use
• Avoid sharing needles.
• Every pregnant woman should get herself tested for HIV.
• Avoidance of breast feeding by infected mothers.

 

AIDS IS NOT SPREAD BY

• Mosquito Bites
• Laughing
• Food
• Hugging and Touching
• Sharing Toilets
• baths Swimming Pools
• Sneezing and Coughing
• Kissing

 

  WHAT’S THE TREATMENT?

The drugs are often referred to as: anti-retrovirals, ARVs, anti-HIV or anti-AIDS drugs. It stops any weakening of the immune system and allows it to recover from any damage that HIV might have caused already. Anti-retroviral treatment keeps the amount of HIV in the body at a low level. With ART, people living with HIV can live healthy and productive lives. It gives the individual capacity to fight off infections. ART does not cure HIV infection.  HIV can be suppressed by combination ART consisting of 3 or more ARV drugs. When a HIV-positive person is on an effective ART regimen, the risk of transmitting the virus to their uninfected sexual partner can be reduced by 96%. To prevent progression of HIV to AIDS is the main aim of treatment. Without treatment, they could also develop severe illnesses such as tuberculosis, cryptococcal meningitis, and cancers such as lymphomas and Kaposi’s sarcoma, among others. HIV infection is usually diagnosed through blood tests detecting the presence or absence of HIV antibodies. There is no cure for HIV infection. However, effective treatment with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can control the virus so that people with HIV can enjoy healthy and productive lives.

 

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE : LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

AZT (Zidovudine) 2) Viramune (Nevirapine) 3)Norvir (Ritonavir)

Issued in an event where antiretroviral drugs are not available

• Sterile needles
• Protected Sex
• Monogamous Relationship
• Abstinence
• Use condoms (female or male) every time you have sex
• Latex condom (not a natural skin condom)
• Always use a latex barrier during oral sex
• Use water-based rather than oil-based condoms
• Never use the condom more than once
• Do not open the package with your teeth for risk of tearing
• Make sure to check the package for damages

 

By putting our faces to AIDS, we can help reduce the stigma around HIV and promote HIV testing.

Editor: Dr. Anu PK

Email: editor@ayurvedam4you.webc.in