World AIDS Day: Getting to zero

December 1st is World AIDS Day. It is a day dedicated to commemorate those who have passed on and to raise awareness about AIDS and the global spread of the HIV virus. It is an opportunity for people to work actively and collaboratively with partners around the world to raise awareness about HIV and help us move closer to the goal of an AIDS-free generation.
The first World AIDS Day was held in 1988 after health ministers from around the world met in London, England and agreed to such a day as a way of highlighting the enormity of the AIDS pandemic and nations responsibility to ensure universal treatment care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS. Each year’s World AIDS Day celebration comes with different theme and the theme for this year is “getting to zero”. Zero new HIV infection. Zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related death.
HIV is a virus. AIDS is a medical condition. HIV is a virus which attacks the T-cells in the immune system while AIDS is the syndrome which appears in advanced stages of HIV infection. Both the virus and the syndrome are often referred together as HIV/AIDS.
HIV infection causes AIDS to develop. However, it is possible to be infected with HIV without developing AIDS. HIV infection progress and eventually develop into AIDS in the vast majority of cases, without treatment. Infection may be identify at early stages through HIV testing. This allows the patient to use prophylactic (preventive) drugs which will slow the rate at which the virus replicates delaying the onset of AIDS.
HIV can be transmitted through:
1. Perinatal transmission- mother can pass the infection unto her child during pregnancy, childbirth and also through breastfeeding.
2. Sexual transmission- this can happen while having unprotected sex, including vaginal, oral and anal sex or sharing sex toys with someone infected with AIDS.
3. Blood transmission- this can happen among drug users, sharing and reusing syringes contaminated with HIV. Infected blood is extremely hazardous. People who give and receive tattoos and piercings are also at risk and should be very careful.
AIDS patient still have the HIV virus and are still infectious i.e. someone with AIDS can pass HIV to someone else.
There are many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. The virus cannot be transmitted from shaking hands, hugging, pecking, sneezing, sharing towel, using the same toilet, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, touching unbroken skin or other form of “casual contact”.
Symptoms of early HIV infection includes: fever, sore throat, joint pain, red rash, tiredness, weight loss, weakness, muscle ache, enlarged glands and sweat (particularly at night).
Symptoms of late stage HIV infection includes: blurred vision, dry cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, permanent tiredness, swollen glands lasting for weeks and white spots on the tongue or mouth.
During the last-stage HIV infection, the risk of developing a life-threatening illness is much greater due to the patients’ weak immune system to fight illnesses. They are: nervous system infections (e.g. meningitis), cancer, esophagitis, pneumonia, toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis. With proper HIV treatment, life-threatening illnesses may be controlled and treated.
Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS is made through a blood test that screens specifically for the virus and through ultra-sensitive HIV sensor.
There is currently no vaccine or cure for HIV/AIDS. Treatments have evolved which are much more efficacious, they can improve patients’ general health and quality of life considerably. Treatment includes:
1. Emergency HIV pills- this treatment is called PEP (Post- Exposure Prophylaxis). The treatment should be taken as soon as possible after contact with the virus within the last 72hours (3days). It may stop the infection. PEP is a very demanding treatment lasting for 4weeks. It is also associated with unpleasant side effects like diarrhea, malaise, nausea and weakness. After a positive HIV diagnosis, regular blood tests are necessary to monitor to progress of the virus before starting treatment. The therapy is designed to reduce the level of HIV in the blood.
2. Antiretroviral drugs- HIV is treated with antiretrovirals (ARVs). The treatment fights the HIV infection and slow down the speed of the virus in the blood. Generally, patients take a combination of medication called HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy). HIV treatment is usually permanent and lifelong and is based on routine dosage. Pills must be taken on a regular schedule every time. Common side effects includes: nausea, fatigue, moodiness, diarrhea, skin rashes etc.
HIV can be managed through adherence, general health, additional precaution and psychology.
Prevent HIV by having protected sex, share needle carefully, not exposing yourself to body fluids, health education and for expectant mothers, take your medication during pregnancy and after delivering to prevent your baby from HIV.
Ignorance is the faster killer not even HIV/AIDS. Getting to a zero HIV-AIDS world begins with you. Get counsel from your pharmacist.
Live healthy! Get tested! Think positive! Zero HIV.