World AIDS Day is an international health event observed every year on December 1, to inculcate awareness and knowledge amongst the general public about HIV infection and take effective steps to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. Initiated in the year 1988 by the World Health Organization, the theme of World AIDS Day 2020, currently commemorating its 33rd year, is “Global Solidarity, Resilient Services”. The primary objective comprises conducting universal campaigns that include setting up HIV testing centres, providing improved healthcare amenities to affected people and organizing activities in local communities to educate individuals about AIDS.

Also Read: World AIDS Day 2019: All You Need To Know About HIV

The ultimate goal is to significantly bring down the number of people across the world affected with AIDS through efficient preventive measures, as well as to provide ample access for patients to secure medical treatment and prevent HIV-linked deaths. Recent statistics by experts at WHO reports that more than 38 million people are afflicted by AIDS presently. Moreover, the rapid transmission of COVID-19 or coronavirus disease has presented considerable challenges for many HIV infected patients, in obtaining timely professional medical care. Hence, undertaking dedicated efforts on the central occasion of World AIDS Day, to achieve these targets is of utmost importance.

Also Read: Coronavirus: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
World Aids Day 2020

Salient Details About HIV And AIDS:

So What Exactly Is AIDS?

AIDS refers to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, which is the most advanced and serious stage of HIV infection. HIV, which is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, upon entering the bloodstream of a person, damages the immune cells in the body, thus hampering the inherent defence mechanism from both, functioning normally and shielding the system from disease. HIV is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, via blood transfusion of septic fluids, while sharing needles, syringes after use, or from an already ill mother to the newborn during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.

Also Read: World AIDS Day: Protecting An Unborn Child From HIV

Is There A Treatment For A HIV Positive Person?

Although a cure for HIV has not yet been discovered, it can be treated efficaciously utilizing ART – antiretroviral therapy, that is drugs which inhibit the rapid proliferation of the virus in the body. This assists in lowering the volume of the HIV virus within the system, thereby restoring optimal immunity and ensuring good health of the affected individual. Moreover, the risk of virus transmission is also reduced significantly in instances where the HIV positive patient receives routine ART treatment and ample supportive medical care.

Browse through this article, that enlists practical approaches to curbing the spread of HIV-AIDS in society and dealing with ailing patients capably amidst the pandemic.

Useful Tactics To Handle HIV Infection During The COVID-19 Phase: 

Ensure Continuous Medical Care

As the number of people severely afflicted by coronavirus continues to rise in countries across the world, a majority of doctors and nurses are focused on treating them. As they work round the clock in monitoring their vitals, taking extra efforts to prevent loss of life due to COVID-19, physicians for HIV patients may not always be available. As people who are HIV positive also need constant therapy, their status can be assessed in a single doctor visit and multi-month prescriptions for HIV drugs can be supplied, to guarantee uninterrupted healthcare services.

Safeguard Frontline Healthcare Workers

Doctors, nurses and support staff form the core team of frontline healthcare workers, who operate tirelessly, putting themselves at risk and direct contact, to properly manage and treat HIV-positive and COVID-19-infected patients. In this manner, they prevent the transmission of disease from affected people to healthy individuals. It is hence the need of the hour for all policymakers across the globe, to make sure that necessary protective equipment is provided to them and safety precautions are in place in hospitals and clinics.

Educate The Vulnerable Population

It is crucial to secure the wellbeing of children and adolescents, from contracting HIV and other chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, that not only weakens their immunity but also makes them more prone to acquiring COVID-19. In this regard, instructional classes must be organized for students in schools, colleges, either online or in-person, which lay emphasis on safe sex practices and using condoms and hence, sheltering them from acquiring HIV, preserving their immune functions.