On World AIDS Day 2022, we have taken the initiative to spread awareness regarding AIDS. Recently HIV infection has been on the rise in Pakistan, with more than 9,000 cases reported in Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan. It shows the spread of the disease to the general public.
There are 165,000 cases of HIV/AIDS in Pakistan, of which only 15% know that they are suffering from this deadly disease. Lack of awareness and education, especially in rural areas, makes it harder to provide treatment and stop the spread of this disease. Even though the prevalence rate is low, Pakistan is still at risk of an Aids epidemic.
Table of Contents
What is HIV?
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lethal disease that attacks the immune system and lowers your immunity, making you susceptible to infections and viruses. It destroys the immune cells with time, hindering their ability to fight ailments. Those with HIV can transmit it to others through bodily fluids, sharing injections, or blood transfusions. Mothers can also transmit HIV to their children from pregnancy or breastfeeding if they do not get proper treatment for HIV.
HIV spreads in your DNA and becomes a lifelong condition. Even though scientists are working towards developing a cure, there is no definitive cure for it so far. It is possible to increase the life expectancy of those who have HIV through antiretroviral therapy; however, life expectancy significantly decreases if one contracts AIDS.
What is AIDS?
HIV can develop into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), an advanced stage of HIV. Not every case of HIV turns into AIDS; however, if you do not consult an Internal Medical Specialist in Islamabad, the HIV may progress to AIDS.
This life-threatening disease can severely damage your immunity; the immune system cannot fight any infection and fails to respond. It can expose your body to several illnesses, some of which are rare and deadly. If a person with AIDS contracts one of these ailments, their life expectancy falls to one year or below. Preventative measures are the only way to save yourself from AIDS if you have HIV.
Symptoms of HIV/AIDS
There may be no obvious indication of HIV after contracting it. Early signs of HIV may present as flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, headache, etc. Many people may ignore these indicators, thinking it is a minor infection. Even doctors may not initially suspect HIV when a person consults them for common flu signs, making it hard to detect. During HIV, the virus in the blood increases and heightens the chances of transmission.
Once HIV progresses to the next stage, there may not be any visible symptoms too. They may experience unexpected health issues, but nothing pointing directly to HIV. AIDS is the next stage during which acute opportunistic infections may occur in this stage. Opportunistic infections take advantage of low immunity and severely damage your body, decreasing life expectancy. The only way to diagnose HIV/AIDS is by getting tested. If you suspect you may have HIV, it is better to get tested.
Myths about AIDS debunked
Myth 1: Straight people are safe from HIV
Fact: One of the top causes of HIV is unprotected anal sex between gay and bisexual people, but that does not mean they can only get it. Straight men and women can also get HIV by having unprotected sex with multiple partners, sharing used needles with others, having unsafe blood transfusions, accidental administration of contaminated needles, and having other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HIV can happen to anyone, and it is vital to be aware of it if you practice any of the above behaviors.
Myth 2: HIV means that you are about to die
Fact: Initially, the death rate was higher, leading many people to assume their life was over because they got diagnosed with HIV. With technological and medical advancements, people with HIV can lead healthy and productive lives. It is best to consult the best Internal Medicine Specialist in Rawalpindi or near you as soon as you become aware of the infection. The doctor may then suggest the appropriate treatment. Following that treatment method vigorously can decrease the chances of early death. They have HIV does not necessarily mean that you will get it too. Managing HIV on time can help you avoid AIDS and lead an everyday life.
Myth 3: HIV-positive people cannot have kids.
Fact: Mothers with HIV can carry a pregnancy and deliver a healthy child. It is crucial to inform the doctor if the mother is HIV-positive so that they can get suitable medications to reduce the risk of transmission from mother to child. Other ways to avoid transmitting HIV from mother to child is by opting for C-sections or bottle-feeding the baby instead of breastfeeding. Women who conceive with a partner with HIV may also need certain medicines to reduce the risk of transmission.
Myth 4: HIV is curable
Fact: The advances in medicine have made it possible for people with HIV to live more extended ad better lives. It does not mean that they do not have the disease anymore. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the medication that people with HIV use. They help lower the virus in the body and increase the life span of people, but people with HIV are under the constant threat of disease progression and other complications. You must take this disease seriously, and precautions can prevent you from suffering.
Myth 5: People with HIV are easily recognizable
Fact: HIV does not show any symptoms until its final stages. Most people with HIV may be aware of their condition unless they get tested for HIV. As the symptoms of HIV overlap with many other diseases, even a doctor may not be able to diagnose the issue. However, complete transparency by the patient can help with the diagnosis. As there are no signs specific to HIV, it is not easy to know whether someone you meet is HIV-positive.
Myth 6: HIV is easily transmissible through touch
People may abstain from meeting someone with HIV, as they may think they will get it too. Touching, kissing, or hugging someone with HIV does not transmit the disease. HIV/AIDS is also not transferrable by sharing utensils for food, using exercise equipment at the gym, or touching surfaces an HIV-positive has touched. HIV transmission can happen through the vaginal fluids, blood, and semen of an HIV-positive person. It can also transfer from a mother to a child from pregnancy or breastfeeding, but treatment can help lower the risk of transmitting HIV from a mother to a child.
Myth 7: Mosquitos bite, and pets can transmit HIV
Fact: It is a misconception that mosquitos and pets can spread AIDS. Mosquitos or other insects can extract blood from your body but do not reinject it. Moreover, mosquitos do not have the same genetics as humans, so an HIV infection cannot survive in a mosquito. Pets, including dogs, cats, birds, or fish, cannot transmit the HIV infection to humans, nor can they contract it from humans. Nonetheless, people with HIV must stay away from pet stools as they can lead to other illnesses that may harm their immune-compromised bodies.
Myth 8: If both partners are HIV-positive, they do not need protection
Fact: HIV has different strains, and both partners don’t need to have the same HIV strain. Some strains of HIV can be drug resistant; if one partner has it, they can transfer it to the other partner. Due to this reason, partners who have HIV need to have safe sex, as contracting a different strain can cause complications in treatment. Unprotected sex also increases the likelihood of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), especially with a new partner, which can be disastrous for people with low immunity.
Addressing the stigma around HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is a lifelong and lethal disease that can be tough for anyone. The stigma around the illness comes from ignorance and misinformation regarding the condition. Many people with HIV do not come forward due to the stigma and discrimination they may face at the hands of society. Even though the cases are fewer, they are relatively higher than in many other parts of the world. To prevent or stop the spread of this ailment, we all need to make a collective effort to make those around us aware of the facts about HIV/AIDS.
oladoc is on a mission to spread awareness of aids through its social media channels. We are doing a campaign to end the taboo around AIDS and spread awareness among the masses of Pakistan. Through this effort, we aim to provide authentic information from verified doctors on our multiple channels, including YouTube and TikTok, under the hashtag #EndTheAidsTaboo.
@oladoc.com What is AIDS? Treatment of AIDS #treatment #oladoc #tiktok #fyp #doctor #sexualhealth #endtheaidstaboo ♬ original sound – oladoc.com – Book Top Doctors
Takeaway
HIV/AIDS is a chronic illness that lasts for a lifetime, with no definitive cure. People with AIDS often face discrimination as people around them believe in information they get from various non-medical sources. It is vital to share accurate information regarding the disease to end the taboo around it. As the condition has a sexual aspect, many people in Pakistan are reluctant to start this conversation.
Though if we’re going to save ourselves and others from this dangerous disease, we need to start the discussion to bust the myths regarding HIV/AIDS. With the rising cases in Pakistan, making people aware of the symptoms, causes, and facts about this disease can help prevent HIV/AIDS epidemic in Pakistan.
