In 1988 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared December 1 as World AIDS Day. That was the response to the fact that Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has become pandemic. Over 42 million people currently live with HIV/AIDS. It is one of the most important international days related to health issues and one of the key opportunities for raising awareness, paying tribute to those who died from the disease and the opportunity to celebrate such achievements as expanding access to treatment and prevention measures. The efforts organized are aimed at strengthening public support for programs to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, organizing training and providing information on all aspects of HIV /AIDS. World AIDS Day provides a serious opportunity to increase public awareness of HIV and AIDS, disseminate preventive information in community groups, improve the quality of care provided to people with HIV and combat denial and discrimination.
AIDS – Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
AIDS is a contagious disease and the terminal stage of HIV infection. The virus, getting into another organism, infects it. All viruses exist in two forms. Virions – particles presented in a stable or extracellular form which necessarily include nucleic acid and a protective membrane protein. Only simple viruses are composed of these parts. In complex viruses virion may contain other proteins in addition to this minimal set. HIV belongs to the group of retroviruses. The composition of this virus includes two strands of RNA and the enzyme revertase, capable of reverse transcription, i.e., the transfer of genetic information from RNA to DNA. HIV possesses unique variability which is 5 times higher than influenza virus variability and 100 times higher than that of hepatitis B.
Immunodeficiency virus can enter the human body:
1. Through unprotected sexual contact with HIV-infected or AIDS patient;
2. When blood from HIV-infected or AIDS patient transferred into a healthy person;
3. From HIV or AIDS positive mother to a child;
4. By sexual intercourse;
5. When donating blood;
6. When using poorly sterilized medical instruments.
AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection (human immunodeficiency virus). A few weeks after HIV infection has transmitted, the temperature sometimes rises, lymph nodes enlarge and red spots appear on the skin. But such signs do not always happen, and if they appear, then they quickly disappear. After a few months or years, immunity status decreases. HIV affects the immune system major cells – lymphocytes. As a result, AIDS manifests in the form of tumors or infections. A person can die in 3-10 years after getting the infection.
Most vulnerable to infection are: drug addicts and people who have promiscuous lifestyle, often changing sexual partners with unprotected sex.
Only doctors can diagnose HIV infection based on clinical data and positive laboratory blood test for immunodeficiency virus. Within 5 days after infection spread in the body specific antibodies against HIV virus can be detected in the blood. This reaction is sharply expressed between the second and seventh weeks.
Up to date there is no cure for AIDS. The drugs can only help to maintain health and slow down disease aggravation but not to stop it completely. Since there are still no reliable drugs for treating AIDS, the death rate in infected people is almost predetermined.
Recently various international organizations have concentrated attention in respect and guarantee of human rights for people living with HI /AIDS. For people with HIV travelling can be very problematic as many countries have established discriminatory laws for entry and stay permit.
Many countries criminalize HIV-related behavior.
Many AIDS experts advocate for decriminalization of sexual relations, including HIV transmission. In many countries around the world people with HIV are prosecuted for HIV transmission or for risk of spreading the virus.
Although there has been constant and encouraging progress in HIV/AIDS treatment, most people with HIV still cannot afford the benefits of this progress. The efforts of modern HIV/AIDS activists are aimed both at making adequate treatment available to everyone and informing and preparing community for appropriate use of drug therapy. Many years of international experience have demonstrated that respect for human rights can reduce HIV spreading and also mitigate the epidemy negative effects on people with HIV, their relatives and friends.