World AIDS Day

Today marks a new month, and also a heavy sort of day – it’s World AIDS Day.

(Image found at: http://portal.unesco.org/science/en/ev.php-URL_ID=8014&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html)

HIV/AIDS, or human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome as they are formally known, is “a disease of the human immune system caused by infection with” HIV. The first cases of HIV/AIDS appeared in the United States in 1981. These were linked to a group of drug dealers and homosexual males. Since then, we know now that, yes, drug users and men who have sex with other men are susceptible to the disease, but so is anyone else.

HIV/AIDS is essentially two different diseases. HIV can transform into AIDS, however AIDS cannot convert into HIV. Either stage of this disease comes with a wide range of symptoms and challenges. “During the initial infection, a person may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. This is typically followed by a prolonged period without symptoms. As the illness progresses, it interferes more and more with the immune system, making the person much more likely to get infections, including opportunistic infections and tumors that do not usually affect people who have working immune systems.” And if that’s not enough, if word gets out that you are infected, you also have to deal with the insensitive and demeaning criticism of a species that is reluctant to accept and support those with the disease. Those infected are often subject to harsh judgment about their lifestyle choices, and are not often spared the consideration they require.

I’ve spent the last three months taking a course learning about HIV/AIDS in Africa. While this was not the intended subject matter of the course, the conversation always came back to it. It is both sad and terrifying that we have not found better ways of reducing transmission, subduing the symptoms and the negative physical strains the disease has on the human body, or that we have not found a cure. In this day and age, we can create a new cellphone design every three months, or update any other sort of technology, but when it comes to medical treatments and cures we’re still in the 18^th century! It’s ridiculous! We should be placing far more attention on matters that actually, well, matter! Believe me, I do recognize that there have been some significant strides in the medical field in recent times, but by comparison we aren’t anywhere where we should be.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand, there are three widely known ways HIV/AIDS can be transmitted from one person to another. The first is through sexual activity, second is through bodily fluids (blood), and finally through mother-to-child transmission. Of course, there are also ways to reduce this transmission, such as engaging in safe sex practices, safety measures placed in blood collection and transfusion facilities, and through the use of anti-retroviral (ARV) treatments.

The purpose of World AIDS Day is to provide “an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.” This event began in 1988, which was also the first ever global health day. There are several events that take place globally to bring awareness to the issues concerning the disease. To find out how to get involved click on the “World AIDS Day” link above or do a quick Google search!

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