Campaign to end Discrimination Towards HIV Patients

• 14 Aug 2024

Why in News?

According to the sources, a campaign will be started in Jharkhand on 1^st September, 2024 to create awareness for eliminating discrimination against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients.

Key Points

• It was announced during the launch of an intensified IEC (information, education, communication) campaign at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University auditorium.
• According to the Jharkhand State AIDS Control Society's Project Director the campaign will be conducted at district, block, and village levels.
  • Especially the youth will be made aware of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases through the campaign.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• About:
  • HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system in the human body.
  • It primarily targets and damages CD4 immune cells, which are essential for the body's ability to fight infections and diseases.
    • Over time, HIV weakens the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers.
• Transmission:
  • HIV is primarily spread through the exchange of certain bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
• Severity:
  • If left untreated, the virus destroys a person’s immune system and they are said to be in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome stage (AIDS) where they get several opportunistic infections that may result in death.
• Cure:
  • Although there are no cures for the infection at present, the disease can be managed using antiretroviral therapy.
    • These medicines suppress the replication of the virus within the body, allowing the number of CD4 immune cells to bounce back.