World AIDS Vaccine Day 2024, History, Importance & How to Celebrate
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Every year on May 18, the world marks World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as H.I.V. Vaccine Knowledge Day. This is a global effort to help people understand why H.I.V. vaccinations are so important in preventing H.I.V. infection and AIDS. In this article, we’ll explore the history, goals, and significance of World AIDS Vaccine Day, shedding light on ongoing efforts to tackle this serious health issue.
History of World AIDS Vaccine Day
The first World AIDS Vaccine Day happened on May 18, 1998, following the ideas shared by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in his 1997 speech at Morgan State University. President Clinton stressed the crucial role of vaccination in fighting the deadly illness. Since then, this day has been recognized worldwide, highlighting the need for preventive measures, educating people about AIDS, and involving communities globally.
Understanding H.I.V. and AIDS
H.I.V. (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. It spreads through things like sharing needles, blood contact, or unprotected sex. The symptoms can be like the flu, and if not treated, the virus can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although there are treatments to slow down the disease, there’s still no permanent cure. World AIDS Vaccine Day focuses on developing vaccines to protect those who don’t have H.I.V.
The Global Impact of H.I.V.
H.I.V. remains a serious global health concern, with around 38 million people living with the virus by the end of 2019. Even though there are better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat H.I.V., the need for a vaccine is still crucial to address ongoing challenges.
How to Observe World AIDS Vaccine Day
Donate: Many organizations are working hard to fight H.I.V. Check online to find groups that you might want to help, especially in places where infections continue to affect many people.
Share on Social Media: Use the hashtag #WorldAIDSVaccineDay to spread the word on social media. The more people who know about the need for an AIDS cure, the sooner we might find one.
Educate Communities: It’s important to keep teaching communities about preventing H.I.V. and AIDS. Make sure to focus on areas where people might not have enough information, and everyone should be aware of how to prevent it.
Why World AIDS Vaccine Day is Important
Recognizing Health Professionals: This day is a chance to thank volunteers, community members, health professionals, and scientists who are working together to create a safe and effective H.I.V. vaccine. It’s also a day to remind everyone about the ongoing research for an H.I.V. vaccine in communities.
Treatment Access: Because international funding for AIDS is going down, and less than half of people with H.I.V./AIDS worldwide have access to treatment, it’s really important to talk about these differences. We need to bring attention to these issues to stop the disease from spreading.
Cost-Effectiveness: An H.I.V. vaccine is a one-time solution, and it’s much cheaper than a lifetime of therapy. This emphasizes the need for more studies and support for this important cause.
In conclusion, World AIDS Vaccine Day is a day for the whole world to come together in the fight against H.I.V. and AIDS. It’s a day to think about the progress we’ve made, appreciate the people working hard for research and awareness, and stress the importance of everyone working together to get rid of this global health problem.
What is AIDS?
AIDS is Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. That is
Acquired - This condition is acquired that is a person becomes infected with a virus.
Immuno - Virus HIV affects the immune system of the person.
Deficiency - The person's immune system becomes weak and not able to work properly.
Syndrome - It may happen that a person suffering from AIDS may also experience other diseases due to a weak immune system.
In 1981, AIDS was first reported in the United States and since then becomes a worldwide epidemic. We can say that AIDS is the most advanced stage of infection caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
A person suffering from HIV infection is said to have AIDS when his or her immune system becomes so weak that it can't fight other kinds of infections and cancers like PCP a type of pneumonia, KS is Kaposi sarcoma which is a type of cancer that affects the skin and internal organs, TB, etc.
It is also seen that even without these infections a person is diagnosed with HIV infection or AIDS if his or her immune system weakens, as is indicated by the number of CD4 cells in his or her blood.
What are CD4 cells?
HIV virus attacks immune cells known as CD4 cells which are a type of T cell. These are white blood cells that move around the body, defecting faults and anomalies in cells as well as infections. When HIV targets and infiltrates these cells, it reduces the ability of the body to combat other diseases.
Do you know that if the CD4 cell count is less than 200 then the person is given a diagnosis of AIDS? It may take 2 to 10 years or longer for someone with HIV to develop AIDS if he or she is not treated. It is also seen that most people with HIV will not develop AIDS if they start proper treatment soon after becoming infected.
So, we can say that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an infection that can lead to AIDS. It damages the immune system due to which it becomes easy to get sick.
Causes of HIV
HIV is transmitted in the body through:
- Blood
- Semen
- Vaginal secretions
- Anal fluids
- Breast milk
It is also said that if a woman suffering from HIV infection is pregnant and gave birth to a child then might be the disease also transferred to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. The risk of HIV transmission through blood transfusions is extremely low in countries that have effective screening procedures in place for blood donations.
Symptoms of HIV infection
Several people do not show symptoms of suffering from HIV infection until months or even years. Also, around 80% of people may develop a set of flu-like symptoms known as acute retroviral syndrome around 2 to 6 weeks after the virus enters the body.
Some early symptoms are:
- Fever
- Joint Pain
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- Enlarged glands
- Sweating particularly at night
- Red rashes on the body
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Unintentional Weight loss etc.
Is AIDS a curable disease?
Currently, there is no safe cure for HIV. Once HIV enters your body it can't be removed but Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can prevent or reverse the damage to your immune system. Most people stay healthy if they are adherent to ART. There are several other drugs that can prevent or treat opportunistic infections (OIs). It is also seen that ART has also reduced the rate of most OIs. Drugs may help in reducing the infection but they can't be cured properly.
About the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID)
NIAID provides training opportunities at a broad level to individuals from several educational backgrounds ranging from high school to postdoctoral level. It is also committed to conducting HIV/AIDS research to prevent new infections, end HIV-related deaths, and complications, and discover a cure.
Therefore, HIV/AIDS Awareness Vaccine Day is observed on 18 May to spread awareness about the infection caused due to the HIV virus which may lead to AIDS. It is necessary to educate people so that they can take proper treatment, and precautions when needed.
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