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 1st 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.
- Although there are no cures for the infection at present, the disease can be managed using antiretroviral therapy.