December 1, the last month of 2021, is also a special day: World AIDS Day. Most people have always been worried and scared about HIV, and even want to “back off” at the mention of it.
So, what is HIV?
#The Origin of AIDS
AIDS first appeared in humans during World War I. At the time, the Allied armies – British, French and Belgian – were attacking German colonies in Africa, where food was in short supply.
Soldiers had to go into the African forests and hunt for food.And it was in the process that the AIDS virus may have been first transmitted from chimpanzees to humans.
# Start with yourself, avoid transmission
The basic measure to prevent HIV infection through sexual contact is to avoid high-risk sexual behavior.One of the most effective ways to prevent HIV during sex is to use condoms.
Direct contact with the blood, semen and lotions of people with AIDS must be avoided to cut off the route of infection.
#Drug use is illegal
Sharing intravenous syringes are high-risk behaviors for contracting and spreading HIV. Also, intentional transmission of HIV is punishable by law.
#Work contacts with HIV-infected people are not infectious
HIV is transmitted through three main routes: sexual contact, blood, and mother-to-child transmission. Daily contact between people will not infect everything around them.
It is hoped that society will avoid discrimination against people with HIV or even AIDS-related workers.
#Mosquito bites do not spread AIDS
As mentioned above, HIV is transmitted through sexual contact, blood and mother-to-child transmission; mosquito bites do not cause infection.
#72 hours to save yourself
People with AIDS die not from HIV infection itself, but from infections and malignancies that cannot be controlled after the immune system is destroyed by HIV.
Therefore, as soon as infection is suspected, it is important to get tested in a legal place such as a hospital! This is very important.
Thanks to scientific advances, people have the opportunity to reduce the risk of HIV infection by taking timely blocking medications (PEP) within 72 hours of exposure to the risk of HIV infection.
#Early diagnosis and treatment after infection with the virus
HIV infection is first caused by the virus after it enters the body.
HIV infection can only develop into AIDS after an incubation period of several years or even up to 10 years or more. However, once the disease develops, the consequences can be severe.
Therefore, early diagnosis and early initiation of antiviral treatment can reduce morbidity and mortality.
#There is no cure for AIDS, but there are better treatments
In the 40 years since AIDS was discovered, only two patients worldwide have been confirmed cured.
Because AIDS patients’ immunity is completely destroyed by the virus, they inevitably face difficulties.
While there is no true universal cure, there are now better treatments that can help them live longer and improve their quality of life.
With World AIDS Day, we hope to build at least a basic understanding of AIDS.
