HIV and AIDS, as we all know, are a constant health concern in our society. There is currently no vaccination available and accessible to stop the spread of this fatal virus.
Everyone celebrates every year on May 18. World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is commemorated. The event emphasizes the critical need for a vaccine to prevent the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from causing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and educating people on HIV and AIDS, the prevention of HIV/AIDS, and why they should get vaccinated. This day also pays tribute to the thousands of doctors, scientists, community members, and volunteers working to create an AIDS vaccine.
What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV is a virus that affects cells in the body that help it fight infection, leaving a person more susceptible to other illnesses and infections. HIV is a contagious illness that may be spread through unprotected intercourse, needle sharing, or body fluids. Moreover, it can also be passed on from mother to kid through pregnancy. Within a few weeks of the infection, specific early symptoms such as flu, fever, and sore throat might be detected.
Once HIV is not treated, it can progress to AIDS. AIDS is a late stage of HIV infection in which the virus has severely and fatally impaired the body's immune system. Every individual who may be at risk of contracting HIV should get tested, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). People at a higher risk of contracting HIV should seek comprehensive HIV prevention, testing, and treatment programs. Simple and inexpensive fast diagnostic tests and self-tests can detect HIV infection.
HIV, however, cannot be eradicated by the human body, and there is no effective HIV cure. As a result, if a person has HIV, they will always have it. Antiretroviral treatment (ART) can, however, slow the progression of the illness. It also helps individuals from passing HIV on to their sexual partners. Infected persons may live long and healthy lives because to modern HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. Other successful techniques for preventing HIV infection from sex or drug use include pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
World AIDS Vaccine Day
The World AIDS Vaccine Day was inspired by a speech given by former US President Bill Clinton at Morgan State University in Maryland on May 18, 1997. Clinton emphasized the need for a "truly effective, preventative HIV vaccine" to stop the spread of HIV and finally eradicate it in his address. The day was designated as the inaugural World AIDS Vaccine Day or HIV Vaccine Awareness Day the following year.
The annual practice has continued since then all around the world. Every year on this day, communities all around the globe do various activities to promote awareness about HIV/AIDS vaccinations, prevention, and education.
Why You Should Get Vaccinated
Vaccines are essential for keeping individuals healthy. They safeguard you against potentially fatal illnesses.
Vaccines are especially crucial for people with chronic illnesses like HIV, making it more challenging to fight vaccine-preventable infections like pneumococcal disease and the flu. Getting prescribed immunizations is an essential component of your overall HIV medical treatment since HIV might make it more likely that you'll have significant problems from such diseases.
Vaccines are extremely successful, and they do more than merely protect people from disease. They also serve to safeguard communities. There is minimal probability of a disease epidemic when most individuals in a community are vaccinated and immune to it. The disease eventually becomes infrequent, and it is completely eradicated in some cases.
However, there is presently no FDA-approved vaccine to prevent HIV infection or treat individuals who already have it. Scientists, on the other hand, are attempting to develop both types.
Nonetheless, People living with HIV should get the following vaccines:
- COVID-19
- Hepatitis B is a virus that causes liver disease.
- HPV (for those up to age 26)
- Influenza virus (flu)
- Meningococcal vaccine.
- Pneumococcal disease (pneumonia)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
Other vaccines may be recommended based on your age or other circumstances. Consult your doctor about the immunizations that are suggested for you.
Prevention of HIV/AIDS
To defend yourself from the virus, follow these steps:
- When having sex, abstain or use a condom.
- Never share needles, syringes, or other injectables.
- Get tested if you're sexually active.
- Be aware.
This entails:
- Taking responsibility for one's health and happiness
- Protecting the health and well-being of others by acting responsibly
- Everyone living with HIV is treated equally and with compassion.
The last point is crucial. Many HIV-positive patients find it challenging to notify others that they have the virus. Some have faced rejection from friends, family, coworkers and verbal and physical assault.
There is still a significant deal of misunderstanding regarding how HIV is transmitted and a scarcity of resources. There is still a lot of misunderstanding about how HIV spreads, a lack of knowledge about what it's like to live with HIV, and harsh preconceptions and judgments about those who acquire HIV. Many people avoid getting tested and seeking treatment because of the stigma.
Periodically testing persons who are most at risk for HIV and subsequently administering antiretroviral medications to HIV/AIDS patients decreases the number of new infections significantly. People will continue to spread the virus to their partners without treatment or education.
You become a part of the solution by being aware.
Unfortunately, no vaccine to prevent HIV/AIDS has yet been developed. In truth, a slew of roadblocks has been preventing researchers from producing a vaccine to combat the disease, or AIDS, that has claimed so many lives. However, the world's vast scientific community is still on the lookout for a cure. On World AIDS Vaccine Day, let us all honor the healthcare workers, scientists, and volunteers who have committed their lives to develop an effective and safe AIDS vaccine.
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