KNOW MORE ABOUT AIDS AND ITS PREVENTION
On its causes, myths on the disease and give a low-down On World AIDS Day, today, experts bust symptoms and why early detection is vital for treatment
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, also known as AIDS, has reportedly claimed about 40 million lives globally, but it still remains shrouded in mystery. Many still don’t know the difference between HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS, leading to a widespread fear about these conditions.
Historically, scientists believe that HIV originally came from a virus particular to chimpanzees in West Africa in the ’30s. When natives hunted them for food, the virus got transmitted to humans through their blood. Over the decades, the virus spread through Africa and to other parts of the world. It wasn’t until the early ’80s that people became aware about it. This year’s theme for the day is equalise — emphasising on eliminating inequalities such as gender inequality, that slow down the fight against the disease. “It talks about giving access to everyone, young, poor, rich, trans community, men and women, and puts focus on early testing,” says Sonal Mehta, regional director, IPPF, South Asia regional office. On World AIDS day, today, experts help us bust common myths, while explaining all that you need to know about the disease.
CAUSES
AIDS is a communicable disease caused by HIV viruses, namely HIV-1 and HIV-2. It spreads from one person to another by exchange of body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. “It can spread through unprotected sex and sharing of equipment like injection. It can also spread from mother to child during pregnancy,” says Dr Vineeta Singh Tandon, consultant, Internal Medicine, PSRI Hospital, adding, “HIV-1 is the predominant type and more than 95% of people affected with HIV have this virus.”
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of HIV infection can be divided into three phases. First is, acute HIV where infected person experiences flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes. Second is clinical latency stage. Most people in this stage can live normally without treatment for 10-15 years. But, some people’s health might deteriorate faster. Third and last phase is AIDS, where symptoms include unexplained weight loss, fever, night sweats, lymphadenopathy, chronic diarrhoea, pneumonia and extreme tiredness.
DIAGNOSIS
There are three types of HIV tests. One is antibody test, which is a rapid test and generates results within 23-90 days after testing. Second is antigen/antibody test and third is nucleic acid test, which looks for viruses in the body. The tests are available at all major health centres, government and private.
“Now these tests are being recommended as a part of premarital checkups to know whether the partnerto-be is HIV positive or not,” says Dr Vineeta Taneja, director, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Delhi.
It is not correct to say that if you have HIV, you’re suffering from AIDS too. AIDS is the last stage of HIV. Early detection and timely treatment can help. DR JAYANTA THAKURIA, Associate director, Internal Medicine and Rheumatology
AS PER THE LAST HIV REPORT BY THE GOVERNMENT, INDIA HAD AN ESTIMATED 23.49 LAKH PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). IT SHOWED AN ESTIMATED ANNUAL NEW HIV INFECTIONS DECLINING BY 37% BETWEEN 2010 AND 2019.
TREATMENT
Though there is no cure for HIV yet, phases of the condition can be managed and a person can remain healthy by taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). Oral medicine and injections are also available, as prescribed by doctors.
BUSTING MYTHS
HIV and AIDS are commonly used interchangeably by many, but, there’s a difference between the two. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. “It is not correct to say that if you have HIV, you’re suffering from AIDS too. AIDS is the last stage. But, if an infected person is detected with the disease and treated on time, they can lead a normal life,” informs Dr Jayanta Thakuria, associate director, Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Accord Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad.
There are many myths around its spread too. “People believe that it transmits only through sex, making it a taboo. They also think that people with HIV can’t get other diseases such as hypertension or other lifestyle disorders. And no, it’s not a poor person’s disease,” says Mehta.