World AIDS Day is held on the December 1st every year since 1988. This day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. Globally there are an estimated 34 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
The theme of World Aids Day 2015 is: Getting to zero; end Aids by 2030.
Did You Know???
- There are an estimated 10 lakh people currently living in India with HIV (PLHIV).
- HIV positive status means a person who has the Human Immunodeficiency Virus in his/her bloodstream but the person’s immunity is not compromised enough to make him/her a full blown case.
- ART is therapy administered by using a cocktail of anti-retroviral drugs (HIV is a retro or RNA virus). ART stands for anti-retroviral therapy.
- According to a latest global report by UNAIDS, the number of people on life-saving antiretroviral drugs has doubled since 2010, while incidents of new cases have fallen by 35% since 2000.
- In June, about 15.8 million people out of a total of 37 million people living with HIV were taking the drugs.
Try This…
ELISA test is usually the first one used to detect infection with HIV. What is the full form of ELISA?
