“AIDS can destroy a family if you let it, but luckily for my sister and me, Mom taught us to keep going. Don’t give up, be proud of who you are and never feel sorry for yourself” Ryan White.
Every year on December 1 we celebrate World AIDS day to raise awareness about AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). It is an opportunity for people worldwide to fight against this virus to support those people who live with HIV.
AIDS is a pandemic disease caused due to the infection of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). We use this day to commemorate those people who died of AIDS-related illness. World AIDS day first conceived in 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter who were the public relations officers for the global program on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva.
Bunn, a former television journalist, recommended the date December 1 hoping to maximize the maximum coverage of world AIDS day by western n media, between the US elections and the Christmas holidays.
Both governmental and non-governmental organizations and the people around the world observe this day for education on AIDS prevention and control. Initially, the awareness activity focused on children and young people, and the coming generation.
AIDS was first recognized in the 1980s in the US as an epidemic, but it began in 1920 in Kinshasa the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1980 78 million people across the world, were infected by this virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over1.2 million Americans have HIV, every year more than fifty thousand people are diagnosed with HIV.
“The younger generation has lost some fear of HIV because of the success of current treatment protocols. This has caused them to engage in risky behaviors, leading to high rates of infection in young men who have sex with other men” said American senior scholar Dr. Amesh Adalja.
HIV can spread through sexual contact and blood or from mother to child during the pregnancy or through breastfeeding. HIV becomes AIDS as HIV destroys the CD4- white blood cells which plays important role in the body’s ability to resist infections. How? HIV decreases the white blood cells which causes poor immunity.
“Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS,” said Nelson Mandela.
Many a time, people get infected with this deadly virus because of a lack of awareness about the disease.
The Myths
HIV is scientifically proven that is a disease that is transmitted by sexual contact or blood infusion; still, a lot of myths surround it.
There are people who still believe that HIV transmits through touch and air. Another myth is that HIV positives cannot safely have children, HIV always leads to AIDS, and HIV is a death sentence.
These myths make HIV patients’ life discriminated from others and people make them be alone. Everyone sees an HIV patient as a vaguer person. Sometimes people treat them worse than animals which is miserable.
HIV patients have all the rights and freedom to live in this world with equal consideration. They must not be discriminated against or isolated. The fact is HIV is a situation in which one sometimes has no control over and we must empathize with those who have contracted the virus.
Unfortunately, HIV has no cure even though HIV +ve patients can lead a long and normal life with early detection and adequate antiretroviral treatment. In India, around 23.49 lakh people are living with HIV or AIDS.
We all need to be infected by the positives of the situation, equality, empathy, and love. Give them a handshake, a hug. Nothing worse can happen; let your grace increase, let their happiness increase. Let us make a pledge to live unitedly without any kind of discrimination and differentiation. Let us be a part of their growth their happiness.
“HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands and give them a hug: Heaven knows they need it.” Said Princess Diana. So true. The Princess may be dead, but that positivity must live on.
