HIV/AIDS DAY

The first day of December every year is set aside as World AIDS Day worldwide to raise awareness about the AIDS pandemic, caused by HIV infection and to mourn those who were killed by the disease.
In today 's News Analysis,Correspondent underscores the significance of the World AIDS Day towards achieving a HIV free Nigeria Society
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AIDS are health conditions caused by infection.
Initially an infected person may not notice any symptoms or may experience a brief period of influenza, but this is followed by a prolonged period of no symptoms.
As the infection progresses, it interferes more with the immune system, increasing the risk of common infections like tuberculosis as well as tumors which rarely affect people whose immune systems are still in tact.
These late symptoms are referred to as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome AIDS which includes experiences such as weight loss that leads to death.
In order to prevent or reduce this death caused by HIV/AIDS, was what made world leaders in 1988, came up with the decision to set aside December 1, to celebrate World AIDS Day and to acknowledge the progress made in HIV prevention and treatment around the world as well as a renewed commitment towards ensuring a society free of HIV/AIDS.
Statistics shows that about thirty six point seven million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, while more than one million people each year die of AIDS related cases and two point one million people are infected by HIV.
Research findings show that two thirds of the new HIV infections worldwide occur in sub - Saharan Africa.
It is worthy to note that HIV is spread primarily by unprotected sex,which includes anal and oral sex, contaminated blood transfusion, the use of not sterilized sharp objects, infections from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.
Luckily enough, some bodily fluids, such as saliva and tears do not transmit HIV.
According to medical reports, the methods of prevention are safe sex and avoiding the sharing of sharp objects.
Furthermore disease in a baby can be prevented by giving both the mother and child antiretroviral medication.
Some medical experts have emphasized that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS but however opined that antiretroviral treatment can slow the disease and may lead to a near normal life expectancy.
The treatment of HIV/AIDS patients, is recommended as soon as the diagnosis is made but without treatment, the average survival time after infection is eleven years.
Many have warned against stigmatization, adding that an HIV/AIDS patient is a normal human that needs love and regular medication to live long.
AIDS is real, know your status by testing and protecting yourself.
A word is enough for the wise