December 1 is observed as World Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Day which is better known as AIDS day. This day is being celebrated every year on 1 December since 1988. It is celebrated with an aim to raise awareness about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. This year, the theme of campaign is ‘Right to health’.
What is HIV?
The virus of HIV leads to infection and it weakens the immune system. HIV can be transmitted and targets the immune system. Thus, it impairs the function of immune cells and makes the people immunodeficient.
What is AIDS?
AIDS is a condition that is acquired only after a person has contracted the HIV infection. AIDS is the final stage of the HIV infection.
How to identify the symptoms of HIV?
When a person is aware about HIV then there has a great possibility of being saved from disease. There are times when a person does not find any early symptoms of the disease but later it emerges in greater form. Talking about the symptoms of HIV, they are ulcers in the mouth, diarrhoea, headache, sore throat, rashes, swollen lymph nodes, cough, fatigue, weight loss, muscle, ulcers on the genitals and joint pain.
What are the major factors that can cause HIV?
One major reason is unprotected anal or vaginal sex. Another reason is using contaminated needles and syringes. Other reasons are blood transfusions, tissue transplantation and medical procedures that involve unsterile cutting or piercing.
It is important to understand that HIV can’t be cured. The effective antiretroviral regimens (ARVs) can significantly slow the disease’s progress.
Programme by Indian government for HIV/AIDS
Indian government is quite active in making people aware about it. In 1992, the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) was launched for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in India.
Bollywood celebs who came in support
There are many Bollywood celebrities who are supporting the noble cause of spreading awareness about HIV and AIDS through their actions. They also donate good amount of money for HIV patients. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty donated the winning amount of reality show Big Brother for AIDS awareness campaigns in India. In fact, Preity Zinta worked with Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS to spread awareness in India. Another name on the list is of Dia Mirza. She is associated with Andhra Pradesh Government for spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS.
