India’s fight against AIDS

Fact Box: What is HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)?

• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.
• It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex (sex without a condom or HIV medicine to prevent or treat HIV), or through sharing injection drug equipment.
• If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
  • AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the virus.
• Treatment: The human body can’t get rid of HIV and no effective HIV cure exists. However, effective treatments are available that enable individuals to manage the virus and lead healthy lives.
• Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): ART consists of medications specifically designed to treat HIV. When taken consistently as prescribed, ART can significantly reduce the amount of HIV in the bloodstream, a process known as viral suppression.
  • Viral Load: The term "viral load" refers to the amount of HIV present in the blood. ART can lower this to very low levels, and if the viral load becomes so low that it is undetectable by standard laboratory tests, this is referred to as having an undetectable viral load.
  • Living with HIV: Individuals with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load through consistent ART can live long, healthy lives. Importantly, they will not transmit the virus to HIV-negative partners through sexual contact.
• Prevention Methods: In addition to treatment, there are effective strategies to prevent HIV transmission:
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): PrEP is a medication taken by individuals at high risk of contracting HIV to help prevent infection from sexual activity or injection drug use.
  • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): PEP involves taking HIV medications within 72 hours after a potential exposure to the virus, reducing the likelihood of HIV establishing an infection.
• India’s Measures:
  • National AIDS and STD Control Programme (2021-2026)
  • HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017

PYQ

Q. Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing? (2013)

1. Chikungunya
2. Hepatitis B
3. HIV-AIDS

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Solution: (b)