Every year the world celebrates AIDS day on December 1 to break the myths and stereotypes that are still associated with this deadly disease. World AIDS day is specially celebrated to encourage people infected with HIV. Unfortunately, there is no medical method to treat AIDS, but a few precautions can be beneficial. On World AIDS Day, here are a few things you should know about the deadly disease.

Today, on this important day, we have come up with some crucial facts you should know before forming any perception.

1. HIV causes AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus damages the body’s immune system, which guards the body against viruses and tumours. People with AIDS become weaker because their bodies lose the ability to fight all illnesses. They will eventually die if untreated. There is no cure for HIV, but treatment is available to reduce the symptoms so that even people with the virus can have healthy, productive lives.

2. The onset of AIDS can take up to ten years

This is the major problem associated with AIDS. The onset of the disease can take up to ten years from the time of infection with HIV. Therefore, a person infected with HIV may look and feel healthy for many years, but they can still transmit the virus to someone else. New medicines can keep a person healthy, but still, they will be infected with the virus.

3. HIV is transmitted through HIV-infected bodily fluids

Yes, it’s an infectious disease. HIV is transmitted through the exchange of any HIV-infected bodily fluids. The transfer may occur during all stages of the infection/disease. HIV is found in the following fluids: blood, semen (and pre-ejaculated fluid), vaginal secretions, and breast milk.

4. HIV is most frequently transmitted sexually

HIV is most frequently transmitted sexually. That is because fluids mix and the virus can be exchanged, especially where there are tears in the vaginal or anal tissue, wounds or other sexually-transmitted infections (STIs). Girls are especially vulnerable to HIV infection because their vaginal membranes are thinner and more susceptible to disease than mature women. So, always have sexual intercourse with HIV infected person.

5. People who have sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are at greater risk of being infected with HIV

People with STIs are at greater risk of being infected with HIV and transmitting their infection to others. People with STIs should seek prompt treatment and avoid sexual intercourse or practice safer sex (non-penetrative sex or sex using a condom) and inform their partners.

6. The risk of sexual transmission of HIV can be reduced

The risk of sexual transmission of HIV can be reduced if people do not have sex or they avoid it, if uninfected partners have sex only with each other or if people have safer sex — sex without penetration or using a condom. The only way to be entirely sure to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV is by abstaining from all sexual contact.

7. People who inject themselves with drugs are at high risk of becoming infected with HIV

Stop injecting yourself because it can ruin your entire life. HIV can also be transmitted when the skin is cut or pierced using an unsterilized needle, syringe, razor blade, knife, or other tools. People who inject themselves with drugs or have sex with drug users are at high risk of becoming infected with HIV.

8. Contact a health worker or an HIV/AIDS centre to receive counseling and testing

If a person comes to know that they have AIDS, it can disturb their mental state. Anyone who suspects they might have been infected with HIV should contact a health worker or an HIV/AIDS centre to receive confidential counselling and testing. It is your right. (Article 24 of the Convention on the rights of the child)

9. HIV is not transmitted by everyday contact

HIV is not transmitted by: hugging, shaking hands; casual, everyday contact; using swimming pools and toilet seats; sharing bed linens, eating utensils and food; mosquito and other insect bites, coughing, or sneezing. So, don’t treat the person as untouchable.

10. Everyone deserves compassion and support

Discriminating against people who are infected with HIV or anyone thought to be at risk of infection violates individual human rights and endangers public health. Everyone infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS deserves compassion and support.

Stay safe, stay uninfected!

Edit-Ayushi Mittal