Artigenda
World AIDS Day
When: Annually, December 1.
Every year on December 1, the world reflects on HIV and AIDS. We know this day as World AIDS Day. The day is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the first World AIDS Day took place on December 1, 1988.
HIV and AIDS can affect anyone
HIV and AIDS are not diseases that only affect gay men. It is not a disease that is a consequence of a certain lifestyle. It is not a disease tied to certain parts of the world. Nor is it a disease that affects only people of a certain age. HIV and AIDS can affect anyone.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. Its scientific names are human immunodeficiency virus 1 and human immunodeficiency virus 2. This virus is responsible for AIDS. AIDS is derived from acquired immune deficiency syndrome/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This syndrome is caused by HIV. Without treatment, HIV leads to AIDS because this disease attacks and destroys CD4+-t cells. These are a cell group of white blood cells (the lymphocytes). These cells are responsible for the human immune system and protection in case of infection. Thanks to multiplication and switching off the mechanism by which the human body is protected, the body will no longer be protected. This makes the body no longer resistant to all the diseases it should be resistant to under normal circumstances. So a simple infection can already be fatal. So a patient does not die from HIV itself, but from another disease or condition. For example, a rapidly developing form of cancer or a disease or condition that would not have a fatal outcome at all under normal circumstances.
Horrible reality
This is the terrible reality of HIV and AIDS. A disease that kills millions every year. Then we are not just talking about the deaths. We are also talking about the infections with HIV. The new infections.
At this moment, there is no cure for HIV or aids. However, research is ongoing and people have come a long way since the discovery of the disease. In particular, much has been learned about the origin of the disease. For instance, people are convinced that the disease is older than originally thought.
1983
The disease was first officially identified in 1983, and at that time it was not clear exactly what it was. Unjustly, a link was made between gay men and the infections. A relationship that would have major consequences. That relationship is still being made today. For anyone who still does not understand this: the disease also affects persons who are not gay. Indeed, the disease is not limited to any gender or gender identity. Nor is the disease bound by borders or continents.
The disease is described as a sexually transmitted disease. This is true. However, it should not be forgotten that blood-to-blood contact also makes infections possible. This makes it not only a sexually transmitted disease. So that also makes it not a disease you can contract through sexual contact or a blood transfusion. Think also of mother-to-child transmission or breastfeeding. In addition, drug addicts run the risk of contracting the disease through needles.
Research
In the years after 1983, much scientific research has been done on the disease. This has led to new insights and treatment methods. This has included, for example, the discovery of HIV inhibitors. These are essential for delaying the final stage of the disease. The transition to AIDS. What this also yielded was an end to the myths that the disease was also transmissible through saliva, sweat, snot and tears. It also became clear which part of sexual contact was most dangerous. These were (menstrual) blood, vaginal fluid, semen and pus. To a lesser extent, this was pre-cum. Wounds, vesicles and sores on the skin pose risks in this regard. In addition, the virus can enter through certain mucous membranes.
On World AIDS Day, we pause to remember the millions who have died since 1983. We also pause to remember the millions of people suffering from the disease. In addition, we pause to remember the scientists who are busy doing useful work. Finally, today is also about the volunteers who are working to help those affected. Whether they are patients or AIDS orphans in Africa.
Not for everyone
There may one day be a day when science has conquered this terrible disease. When this will be is hard to predict. For a lot of people, that help will come too late. The only question is whether that help will then be there for everyone. HIV inhibitors are already not available to everyone in the world. A day like today is a good time to think critically about that too and speak out about it.
