World AIDS Day 2023: Remember and Commit
The importance of dedicating a day as World AIDS Day
As we know, dedicating a day to a specific topic shows the high importance of that category and is done in order to attract public attention. The choice of a day under the title of World AIDS Day was also for this reason. The 1st of December every year, which coincides with the 10th of Azar, has been chosen as a day to raise awareness and inform about this disease. The World Health Organization announced for the first time in 1988 that from now on December 1st will be named World AIDS Day.
From that year onwards, a special theme is considered for this day every year. A theme that generally reminds people that AIDS still exists and we should be diligent in preventing its spread. The symbol used for this day is a red ribbon. On this day, people install this ribbon on their chest and draw the attention of others to the importance of this disease.
What is AIDS?
But what is AIDS and what effect does it have on the life of the sick person that has infected so important and a day has been dedicated to it in the world calendar? AIDS is derived from the term “Acquired immune deficiency syndrome”. As the name of this disease suggests, the AIDS virus disrupts the body’s immune system. As a result, there are infections in the body that a person is not able to fight some of them. These infections are called opportunistic.
Also, AIDS can cause diseases that occur in the absence of a weak immune system. As soon as a person’s body is infected with this virus, white blood cells (WBC) are being attacked. White blood cells, which are responsible for keeping our body safe from diseases, are themselves destroyed by the AIDS virus. As a result, the immune system of the affected person is weakened and the possibility of contracting various infections and even cancer increases.
Ways of transmission of the AIDS virus
One of the things that is emphasized on the World AIDS Day is the ways of transmission of this disease. Because according to the fact that AIDS does not have a definitive treatment until today, the only remaining way to deal with this disease is to prevent its transmission and spread. As we know, prevention is always better than cure. Knowing the ways of contracting AIDS protects us from contracting it. Common ways of transmission of this disease are:
Sexual contact: The fastest and most common way of transmitting AIDS is called sexual contact. In fact, if a healthy person has sex with a person infected with the virus, there is a high probability that he will also get this disease. The possibility of transmission of this disease exists in all forms of sexual relations, including male-female, male-male and female-female. Although this virus can be transmitted through oral sex, etc., the greatest risk of transmission is related to sexual intercourse.
Infected blood or tissue: The spread of this infection is abundantly seen among drug addicts. The main reason for this is the use of contaminated syringes and injection equipment. This is especially common among injecting drug addicts. In such a way that the wound caused by the needle of a contaminated syringe easily infects a person. Although disinfecting shared injection equipment lowers the risk of contracting AIDS, it does not completely eliminate the risk of transmission.
In addition, it should be mentioned that sometimes AIDS is transmitted among people due to the use of contaminated and unsterilized medical equipment. Also, injecting infected blood into a healthy person can cause him to get AIDS. Another example that can be used to transmit AIDS through blood is tattooing. In cases where contaminated tools are used for tattooing or piercing (piercing ears or any other part of the body), there is a risk of contracting AIDS.
Vertical transmission from mother to child: There is a possibility of transmission of this virus from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
The mentioned cases are the only possible ways of transmitting AIDS. It should be noted that the virus of this disease is not transmitted through talking or contact with an infected person (for example, shaking hands and hugging). Also, urine, feces, vomit, sputum, saliva, nasal discharge, tears and sweat do not play a role in the transmission of this disease. Unless each of these items are stained with blood.
Emphasis on conducting screening tests on World AIDS Day
It is clear that one of the goals of the World Health Organization on World AIDS Day is to emphasize the laboratory diagnosis of this disease in suspected and susceptible people. There are several types of tests to diagnose AIDS. But before getting acquainted with these tests, it is better to know the description of the word HIV or the human immunodeficiency virus and the term AIDS.
When the HIV virus enters a person’s body, it weakens his immune system and can remain latent and hidden in the person’s body for several years without showing any specific symptoms. At the same time, a person can transmit the disease to others. But AIDS is a disease caused by disorders caused by the presence of the HIV virus in the body. In fact, if HIV is present in a person’s body, it causes a disorder of the immune system and may eventually lead to AIDS.
On World AIDS Day, it is emphasized that if you have had unprotected sexual intercourse or if you have been exposed to HIV in any other way, you must seek laboratory diagnosis of this disease. There are several types of tests to diagnose this disease, click to view the information.
Consult your doctor to choose the right type of test. By using the best and most up-to-date equipment in the field of molecular and serology tests, Payvand Medical Laboratory offers complete services related to HIV diagnosis tests with the highest quality and speed.
World Health Organization slogan on World AIDS Day 2023
As we mentioned, every year on World AIDS Day, in order to draw the public’s attention to this disease, a slogan is considered for it. This year, the World Health Organization has chosen the theme of World AIDS Day 2023 as “Remember and Commit”. This organization expresses its reason for naming the 35th year of the World Alliance Against AIDS as follows: We must celebrate the progress we have made in the field of this disease and recognize the challenges ahead. The battle is not over yet; We honor the memory of the victims of this disease and strive to increase fair access to care services for everyone. In this way, we gain the necessary strength and will to end this epidemic.
