World AIDS Day 2009

Change Sexing and Drugging Behaviour to Prevent AIDS

Dr Raghbir Singh Bains

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 each year. It is dedicated to raise awareness about the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV nfection.This year also the entire world is celebrating 21st anniversary of this day on December 1, 2009 as designated by United Nations to remember and support those who are touched by HIV and AIDS. The global theme for 2009 and 2010 World AIDS Day is "Universal Access and Human Rights".

AIDS is a growing ‘global disaster'.

AIDS is a severe pandemic that has swept the globe for many years. It is a fatal disease that started from Africa and has now spread its tentacles in almost every part of the world. The disease can infect anybody irrespective of one’s caste colour, creed and country of origin.

Disease caused by sexing and drugging

AIDS is mostly a disease caused by adulterous sexing and drugging through needle exchange. The disease is common amongst flesh traders, homosexuals (men who have sex with men) bisexuals and drug users who exchange syringes. These individuals are often labeled a 'key risk group' in the context of fast spreading HIV and AIDS by the society.

Global Spread of AIDS

AIDS is said to have been first identified in USA during the year 1981. Historically, the AIDS epidemic in India was first reported in 1986 amongst sex workers and their clients, before other sections of society became affected. There is no unanimity in figures of AIDS patients in the world because it is difficult to examine huge population on the entire globe. However, according to UN report 2008, there are about 33.2 million AIDS patients in the world. According to estimated figures, Punjab is home to 60,000 to 70,000 HIV-AIDS patients and India is soaring with around 3 million patients waiting for death caused by the most fatal disease of the globe.

AIDS is Invisible to Youth

More than half of the new HIV victims in the world are young boys and girls in the age group of 15 to 24 years. Youth commit evil experiments of contaminated needles and are swayed by emotions of sexy glamour. Sex workers usually have a high number of sexual partners. This means that if they do become infected with HIV, they can potentially pass it on to multiple clients. Due to poor role modeling, the epidemic is invisible especially to youngsters. While developing sexual contacts before marital and extramarital relationship, they are not able to comprehend fully the extent of their exposure to the deadly risk. Most people who are HIV infected don't know their status till they develop AIDS. Unfortunately, the youth are becoming easy prey to the disease which is not curable in the world so far. Average life of the patients range from 5 to 10 years.HIV means ‘Human Immunodeficiency Virus’. It is a virus that infects cells (T Lymphocytes) of the human immune system (mainly CD4 positive T cells) weakening the entire system. The virus multiplies in living cells and causes HIV/AIDS. The virus is located in blood, saliva, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids. The virus can enter the body through lining of the vagina, mouth, penis, rectum and vulva. It can spread through anal intercourse, oral intercourse or vaginal intercourse with infected partner. AIDS means ‘acquired immunodeficiency syndrome’. It is the advanced stage of HIV infection, when the immune system is damaged. It is a combination of various signs and symptoms which occur together due to the HIV infection as well as many compounded diseases as a result of the immunodeficiency. The virus wreaks havoc with immune cells, drives up HIV viral loads and puts people at greater risk of other ‘opportunistic infections’ that cause AIDS. It is incurable because the immune system is so damaged by HIV that it is unable to fight off certain bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

Symptoms of AIDSThe term AIDS applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection, defined by the occurrence of any of more than 20 opportunistic infections or HIV related cancers. In addition, the CDC defines AIDS on the basis of a CD4 positive T cell count of less than 200 (or persistently low) per mm3 of blood.

Myths about Transmission of HIV-AIDS

The disease is not transmitted through biting insects such as mosquitoes or bedbugs, sharing of bedding, sharing of food utensils, sharing of towels, swimming pools, telephones, embracing or cuddling, kissing without exchange of saliva, touching an HIV infected person, or through touching objects such as clothes, door knobs and toilet seats.

Treatment and Cure

The infection rates are growing among intravenous drug users, prostitutes and gay men around the globe. Although there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, yet treatment with antiretroviral drugs can delay the onset of AIDS and allow someone to live with HIV infection for longer years without becoming ill. It is said, “Prevention is better than cure” and as such to increase awareness and educate people to stop AIDS, sensitization campaigns must be started by socio-religious leaders, teachers, preachers, media and government to create understanding of HIV/AIDS issues to send a loud, clear and strong message against this pandemic. People need to change sexing and drugging behaviour to prevent AIDS. Let us pray together for those affected and living with HIV and AIDS throughout the world. The sufferers need empathy rather than hatred.
The Red Ribbon is the global symbol for solidarity with HIV positive people and those living with AIDS.

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Dr. Raghbir Singh Bains O.B.C
M.A. LL.B. Ph.D , Surrey, B.C. Canada.

Dr Raghbir Singh Bains