Moving into a new month, the Medics Club would like to remind the EARJ community about HIV awareness. This is a virus that spreads primarily by sexual contact and causes AIDS, a disease that severely weakens the immune system and may lead to various complications. As of 2020, almost 40 million individuals lived with this disease, but less than 30 million received proper treatment. A cure does not exist, but antiretroviral regimens (ARVs) can slow its progression to a great extent and prevent secondary problems. With many advances, the number of deaths has been reduced by 64% from a peak in 2004, but it is still high, with nearly 700 thousand individuals having died from complications related to it.
December 1st has been the day for World AIDS Day since 1988, and it continues being a necessity for many reasons. Encouraging testing, motivating safe prevention practices, speaking out against the strong stigma, and comprehending treatment are essential to this day. This year’s theme is “Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice,” reminding us of the unequal access to treatment there still exists. To take action, there are many great charity institutions open for donations, like the Elton John AIDS foundation. On a smaller scaler, however, it is important to be open to those who would like to talk about a possible diagnosis and offer support. It is critical to demonstrate to them how they are still the same person – they are more than a diagnosis. Learning about the disease is also a necessity, as it helps individuals be more conscious and understand how to approach it. HIV is still a significant challenge facing the world, but with the necessary attention, the reality could be changed.
Image Source: Dra. Keilla Freitas
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