The Hidden Reality of HIV Worldwide

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, HIV Worldwide still remains a serious health concern. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are almost 36.7 million people living with the condition, and almost half of them are undiagnosed and do not know about their condition.

HIV Worldwide infection is a life-threatening situation and needs addressed. In this blog, we will talk about the infection, the reasons for it to remain undiagnosed, and the advancements in the field.

HIV Worldwide: Understanding Its Prevalence

WHO declared in 2015 that almost half of people do not know about the condition. It indicates that around 14 million people are living with the condition without having any idea about their status.

The 2015 report suggests that the situation is improving as earlier only 12 percent of people knew about the condition. It indicates substantial improvement from earlier.

The progress behind the massive improvement can be credited to global awareness programs, improved healthcare facilities, and worldwide campaigns.

HIV Worldwide– What should you know?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks the immune system, and affects the body’s immunity towards infections.

It can be transmitted via:

Blood contact – One can get infected with shared needles, razors, etc. Drug addicts are commonly affected by sharing needles and can further transmit the virus.

Sexual contact – Unprotected sexual activities can also transmit the infection. HIV Worldwide can be transmitted via vaginal and anal sex, and there is no safe around except using proper contraception.

Mother-child contact – HIV can be transmitted from a mother to her child during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

What should you avoid?

There are common things you should be careful about to protect yourself from infection. First things first, there is no foolproof method to avoid transmission of the disease during sexual activities. 

You should use barrier contraception with condoms to stay clear of the disease. There is a common misconception that anal sex may not transmit the infection. However, the truth is anal sex is equally responsible for spreading the infection as vaginal sex.

If you are at a higher risk for some reason, it is recommended to consult a doctor and get on medication. People who are on drugs should be careful of the needles they use and emphasize using brand-new packets every time.

How can you diagnose the condition?

It is advised to get yourself regularly tested if you have multiple sex partners, or share needles. Early diagnosis can be your saviour and help in better management. There are readily kits available that have high accuracy rates and help in early detection.

You should be least worried as HIV testing is confidential and healthcare providers are bound to maintain privacy. 

Is treatment available for HIV?

There are effective treatment strategies available for HIV patients. The most commonly use treatment is Antiretroviral therapy (ART) which helps in controlling the virus and prevents the progression of the disease. 

It is extremely crucial to stick to your medication and not miss the doses to fully utilise the efficacy of the treatment.

Moreover, having a balanced diet and including proper exercise can help people living with HIV lead a better life. 

What are the obstacles to fighting for HIV patients?

The biggest obstacle that people with HIV have to face is the shame and embarrassment linked to the disease. Most people avoid getting tested due to fear and judgement from the society. WHO recommends antiretroviral therapy for people diagnosed with HIV. 

At present, almost 80 percent of diagnosed people are receiving therapy, which is significantly more compared to previous years.

But lesser testing and diagnosis over the masses fail the purpose as there are still lot many people who are living with HIV. 

How can you fight the obstacles?

One step that will help in early diagnosis at a massive scale is the availability of home testing kits. The kits provide the opportunity to test yourself in the privacy of your home without any fear of judgement.

The kits can reach places where there is a lack of appropriate healthcare facilities or there is no proper healthcare infrastructure.

The kits can help in early detection and timely intervention that can save several lives. It will also reduce the risk of transmission further saving more lives and overall reducing the number of HIV patients throughout the world.

The next main motto is to overcome the stigma associated with HIV. The fear leads to hurdles in testing, diagnosis, and treatment which further complicates the process. 

It is important to encourage people to understand the transmission and avoid treating HIV positives as untouchables. Affected people should know about their rights against discrimination and help more people going through the same.

The efficacy of early diagnosis is helpful only when we build community engagement and encourage education programs. People need to be educated about testing and kits along with treatments available. 

It is important to conduct educational workshops and seminars to spread awareness. Knowing the ins and outs of the disease will help in creating an inclusive and supportive society for the HIV-affected.

More people should come up including healthcare providers to disseminate accurate information. Promoting sexual health education is also an important step towards acquiring the required knowledge. 

The knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases should be considered to vote in favour of including sex education in schools. 

HIV is a global concern, and fighting the battle needs conscious efforts towards HIV diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, governments and international health organisations should initiate more programs to reach more people. It will help in spreading awareness and getting home testing kits available all over the world.

Bottom Line

HIV is still a common infection that affects the immune system. Through consistent efforts all over the world, mortality has substantially declined. 

Home detection kits have served to save many people against complications. 

More educational programs and awareness campaigns need to be conducted to educate people about the transmission of the disease. People should try to consistently test themselves if they are prone to risks associated with HIV transmission. 

Also, more educational initiatives will help in creating a supportive environment which will help HIV-affected people lead a better quality of life.