In response to the Nationwide Aids Management Organisation (NACO), in 2021, there have been over 24 lakh folks residing with HIV-AIDS in India. The northeast area states- Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur have the very best grownup HIV prevalence adopted by Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. States with most speedy decline are Himachal Pradesh (with round 73% decline from 2010-2021), Tamil Nadu (round 72% decline) and Telangana (practically 71% decline). An rising development is estimated within the northeast states of Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Mizoram, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
December 1 is noticed as World AIDS Day.
Dr. Raj Harjani, infectious ailments specialist on the Jaslok Hospital and Analysis Centre, Mumbai speaks to THE WEEK concerning the HIV-AIDS myths and information.
Why after so a few years and a lot consciousness constructing, myths round HIV-AIDS nonetheless persist?
There aren’t any AIDS consciousness packages now- not the type which occurred at the beginning of the pandemic. Now hardly any NGO or authorities organisations concentrate on myths and information. Folks discuss of huge issues like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (submit publicity prophylaxis) however the fundamentals have been forgotten. Common lectures on the fundamentals of HIV-AIDS consciousness to high school and school college students, truck drivers, migrant employees and many others. could be useful in clearing misconceptions.
What’s the commonest fable round HIV-AIDS?
Essentially the most persistent fable has remained that HIV is transmitted by means of informal contact. It isn’t unfold by means of hugging or kissing on the cheeks. It is just transmitted by unprotected sexual activity with an HIV contaminated accomplice (man or girl), blood transfusion from HIV contaminated particular person, HIV contaminated mom to new child child and lastly utilization of contaminated syringes and needles utilized by intravenous drug customers throughout needle alternate packages. Additionally, HIV just isn’t transmitted by mosquito bites.
HIV unfold doesn’t discriminate age, intercourse, gender, or sexual orientation.
Additionally, any type of sexual activity- anal, vaginal or oral could cause HIV. Nonetheless, anal intercourse is riskier than vaginal and oral. Oral intercourse is least dangerous however different STIs like gonorrhea, herpes, Human Papilloma Viral infections (HPV) are very possible.
It was for lengthy held that solely males having intercourse with males (MSM) may get HIV whereas really anyone- MSM, transgender, heterosexual or straight, indulging in unprotected sexual activity and needle alternate program can get HIV.
Ought to we nonetheless consider HIV as a loss of life sentence?
Lately folks taking Anti-retroviral Remedy (ART) stay longer and more healthy. It’s now not a killer illness or a loss of life warrant. HIV is now a continual manageable illness. Folks on ART who’ve achieved full viral suppression and have undetectable viral load don’t transmit HIV to the uninfected accomplice. HIV contaminated people who obtain undetectable viral load, change into Untransmittable (U-HIV), meaning they don’t transmit the HIV virus even when having intercourse with no condom.
Do contraception tablets supply safety towards HIV?
Contraception medicines are helpful for avoiding pregnancies. Any unprotected intercourse results in alternate of sexual secretions which carries HIV and is infectious.
Is it appropriate that condoms present safety past simply towards HIV?
Appropriate utilization of lubricated condoms is a extremely efficient method of stopping HIV transmission. This additionally prevents from buying different Sexually transmitted Infections (STIs) like herpes simplex virus (HSV), gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid and chlamydial infections.
Can HIV affect an individual in a fashion that may be recognised simply by taking a look at him/her?
You can not say from anybody’s face that s/he’s affected by HIV/AIDS. If a blood take a look at (HIV-ELISA) is optimistic and a repeat take a look at of a contemporary pattern of the identical particular person can be optimistic, solely then can we are saying that particular person is HIV optimistic.
Is it a whole no for HIV contaminated folks to have youngsters?
That could be a fable. U-HIV sufferers is not going to get HIV when the HIV contaminated affected person or accomplice is on ART, and s/he has an undetectable viral load.
Can these in a monogamous relationship be assured of not contracting HIV?
It’s good to depend on trusted relations however even then, you can’t simply depend on your accomplice to remain secure. Chances are you’ll get it from blood transfusion from HIV contaminated sufferers or in case you have undergone pores and skin piercing procedures like tattooing. It’s advisable for each the companions to get HIV take a look at accomplished collectively periodically.
We nonetheless assume that HIV and AIDS are the identical. What’s the distinction?
HIV is a virus which might infect anybody. A affected person will not be symptomatic however is infectious to anyone and all people. S/he wants remedy. AIDS is a terminal or final stage of HIV and affected person is affected by opportunistic infections like Herpes zoster, Herpes simplex, HP, tuberculosis, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), Toxoplasmosis of mind, continual diarrheas and AIDS defining cancers.
