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HIV Outbreak in Uttarakhand Village
Why in News?
Recently, a HIV outbreak has been reported in Ramnagar, Nainital, raising awareness on the impact of drug addiction and unprotected sexual interactions.
Key Points
- HIV Spread:
- Over 19 men in Ramnagar tested positive for HIV after unprotected sexual interactions.
- Authorities emphasize this as a wake-up call for stricter community health vigilance.
- HIV in India - Statistics:
- As of 2022, around 2.47 million Indians live with HIV, with a 0.2% adult prevalence rate.
- New infections have dropped by over 42% since 2010, with AIDS-related deaths declining by nearly 77%.
- Government Efforts:
- India’s National AIDS and STI Control Programme (2021-2025) is funded largely domestically, focusing on prevention, testing, and treatment.
- The Ministry of Social Justice operates a national helpline to support those with addiction and substance-related issues.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- About:
- HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which 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.
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