World AIDS Day: Let’s know why it is celebrated, History?

World AIDS Day is celebrated every year on December 1st to raise awareness about HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and show support for people affected by the virus. This day serves as a reminder that HIV still exists and that there is a need to continue efforts to prevent new infections and provide care and support to those living with the virus.

The history of World AIDS Day dates back to 1988 when it was first established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, it has become an internationally recognized day to unite people from all walks of life in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The importance of World AIDS Day lies in its ability to educate the public and dispel myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. It provides an opportunity for governments, organizations, and individuals to come together and advocate for improved access to prevention, treatment, and care services.

By celebrating World AIDS Day, we can contribute to breaking down the stigma surrounding HIV, supporting those living with the virus, promoting safe practices, and working towards a world free of HIV/AIDS.

When is World AIDS Day observed?

World AIDS Day is celebrated all over the world on 1 December every year to make people aware about AIDS. AIDS is an epidemic disease caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It was celebrated for the first time in the year 1988.

Why is World AIDS Day celebrated?

World AIDS Day aims to raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.

Along with education on AIDS prevention and control, government and health officials, non-governmental organizations and people around the world often celebrate this day.

Origin of HIV

HIV is a variation of a virus that can be transmitted to African chimpanzees. Scientists suspect that simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) was transmitted from chimpanzees to humans when people consumed chimpanzee meat containing the virus. What we now know as HIV. This probably happened long before the 1920s.

HIV spread from person to person throughout Africa over the course of several decades. Eventually, the virus moved to other parts of the world. Scientists first discovered HIV in 1959 in a sample of human blood. HIV is believed to have been present in the United States since the 1970s.

What is HIV?

HIV is a virus that damages the immune system. Untreated HIV affects CD4 cells, which are a type of immune cell called a T cell. Over time, as HIV kills more CD4 cells, the body becomes more susceptible to a variety of conditions and cancers.

HIV is spread through bodily fluids including:

blood, semen, vaginal and rectal fluids, breast milk

The virus does not transfer through air, water, or casual contact. Since HIV inserts itself into the DNA of cells, it is a lifelong condition and currently there is no medicine that can eliminate HIV from the body.

However, many scientists are working to find a cure. Without treatment, a person with HIV is likely to develop a serious condition called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, better known as AIDS.

What is AIDS?

AIDS is a disease that can develop in people with HIV. This is the most advanced stage of HIV. If a person has HIV it does not mean that AIDS will develop. HIV kills CD4 cells.

Healthy adults typically have 500 to 1,600 CD4 counts per cubic millimeter. A person with HIV whose CD4 count is less than 200 per cubic millimeter is said to have HIV. AIDS was first known on 27 July 1982.

Main causes of AIDS

Sexual contact: The most common cause of HIV transmission is sexual contact with an infected person.

Infected needle use: HIV is spread through infected needles and blood and through contaminated syringes. using tattoo equipment without sterilizing it, such as needles, syringes, and other items for injection drug use

Blood Transfusion: In some cases the virus can be transmitted from one person to another through blood transfusion.

Mother to Child: Pregnant women infected with the HIV virus can pass to the fetus through their shared blood circulation. Infected women can also infect their newborn through breastfeeding.

Main symptoms of AIDS

Diarrhea, Cough and shortness of breath, Persistent white patches or unusual sores in the mouth or tongue, Night sweats, Skin rash, Blurred and distorted vision, Fever, Extreme tiredness, Rapid weight loss, Trouble concentrating, Memory loss loss and confusion anxiety and depression

How can aids be prevented

• Use condoms to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS.
• Using disposable syringes helps prevent HIV infection.
• Select male circumcision. For this, surgically removing the foreskin (prepuce) from the human penis helps.
• Blood transfusion should be taken from a safe, authorized and recognized blood bank only.
• A positive pregnant mother with HIV infection should be counseled on how to prevent transmission of HIV to her baby (PPTCT).

AIDS treatment:

There is currently no cure for HIV infection (AIDS). However, effective antiretroviral therapy (ARV) can help control and prevent transmission of the virus.

This allows people with or at risk for HIV to live healthier, longer lives. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs, if taken at the right time, effectively reduce the disease.

History of World AIDS Day:

World AIDS Day was first conceived in August 1987 by Thomas Netter and James W. Bunn. Thomas Netter and James W. Bunn were both public information officers for the WHO (World Health Organization) AIDS Global Program in Geneva, Switzerland.

He shared his idea of ​​AIDS Day with Dr. Johnathan Mann (Director of AIDS Global Programme), who approved the idea and in the year 1988 started celebrating December 01 as World AIDS Day.

Theme of World AIDS Day:

UNAIDS organizes World AIDS Day campaign with annual themes to raise better global awareness about the disease.

The theme of the AIDS Day campaign in the year 1988 was “Communication”. The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day 2020 is “Resilience and impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic”.