We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hand to make a difference…………Nelson Mandela
By AshaStucki-Subba
World AIDS DAY has taken place on December 1st every year since 1988. It provides an opportunity to draw attention to the HIV epidemic around the world. Focus behind to raise awareness of HIV, to remember loved ones who have died and to raise the funds for campaign against HIV infection and for further research.
Each year there is a theme for World AIDS DAY. From 2011 until 2015 there is an ongoing international theme of “Getting to Zero” with the global target of ending the epidemic by 2030. The theme is set by the World AIDS Campaign, an international committee of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) groups and networks.
New infections have been fallen by 35% since 2000 and AIDS related deaths by 42% since 2004. Some 16 million people are now receiving antiretroviral treatment (new hope for HIV) more than 11million of them are in Africa. HIV and AIDS still remains a significant world challenge. In 2014 around 2 million were newly infected with HIV and 1.2 million died from AIDS related illnesses. Globally 36.9 million people are living with HIV (2014), but only 16 million people are getting antiretroviral treatment.
Risk factors
: Having unprotected sex with diagnosed or undiagnosed HIV infected person/s.
:Having ulcerative sexually transmitted infection such as syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea.
:Sharing contaminated needles, syringes and other injecting equipment when injecting drugs.
:Receiving unsafe injection, blood transfusion, medical procedures that involve unsterile cutting and piercing.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of HIV and AIDS vary, depending on the stage of infection. Many are unaware of their status until later stages.
Possible signs and symptoms include weight loss, fever, muscle aches and joint pain, sore throat, diarrhea, enlarged lymph nodes.
Diagnosis
HIV is most commonly diagnosed by blood test/s. These tests detect either viral antigen, HIV antibodies or RNA copies to demonstrate viral load.
Key facts
:HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 34 million lives so far.
:There were approximately 36 million people living with HIV (end of 2014).
:2 million people becoming newly infected with HIV globally (2014).
:There is no cure for HIV infection. However effective treatment with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can control the disease.
:It is estimated that currently only 51% of people with HIV know their status (2014).
: Approximately 150 million children and adults in 129 low and middle income countries (2014).
: 15.8 million people accessing antiretroviral therapy (June 2015) .
Facts about HIV Epidemic in Nepal
: The first HIV case was detected in 1988.
:HIV prevalence among adult population in the country is below 1%.
HIV and AIDS estimates in Nepal (2014)
:39,249 estimated number of people living with HIV
:Children(0-14 years) 1,968
:Adults (15-49 years) 28,869
:Adults (50+ years) 8,412
:Adult HIV prevalence (15-49 years) 0.2%
:Estimated new infections 1,493
UK activist Angelina Namiba talks to Marie Claire about her HIV: “People still ask me ‘how I got’ HIV, almost assuming that I must have done something wrong. But HIV doesn’t discriminate, no matter whether you’re rich or poor, young or old, black or white, you name it. The fact that I have HIV is not because of what I did, it’s because of what I didn’t do. And what I didn’t do is what millions of young people are not doing in this world today – they’re not using a condom.”
Prevention is better than cure…………..think today! think now!
References:
National Centre for AIDS and STD Control Teku, Kathmandu
www.unaids.org/…/NPL_narrative_report_2014
