WORLD AIDS DAY

1 December marks the World AIDS Day.
Published on: 28 November 2009

With the arrival of another World Aids day probably being ignored again by most of our population there are certain things about HIV I wish to hammer home to anyone willing to read this. The first point I wish to emphasise is that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus. I’m going to say it again – HIV is a virus. Anybody wanting to equate HIV to a judgement of lifestyle should punish themselves next time they contract a cold. Yes the virus may be more prevalent in certain groups, but focussing on categorising the contracting of the virus is counterproductive to accepting what it is. Most information focuses on how not to get HIV which is important – but often the message stops there feeding the stigma that if one contracts the virus there is nothing which comes after.

For those who may be uncertain about the mechanics of the virus let me do a short description of how it works and of the biological terminology used around this virus. HIV primarily infects vital cells in the human immune system most importantly helper T cells (specifically CD4+ T cells). HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4 cells. When CD4 numbers decline below a critical level the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections. During initial infection the number of CD4 cells declines (uninfected people start with around 1000-1200 cells per mm³ of blood), while the amount of virus present in the blood increases, commonly approaching several million viruses per mL of blood. Thereafter either through antiretroviral therapy if required or through healthy living CD4 counts generally increase and the viral count can be brought so low as to be undetectable in the blood. This maintenance phase is what all people who are infected with HIV wish to attain to remain healthy.

The next important point I wish to make is around the importance of knowing your status. This has nothing to do with your decision about disclosing your status (where it is your right to keep this private) or trying to increase the accuracy of government statistics. Why it is important to know if you have been infected is that within the first 6 months of infection HIV does a great amount of imprinting on cells in various organs in the body. Current research suggests that taking a course of antiretrovirals in this time period reduces the imprinting and therefore increases your ability to reach and preserve good health in the future – even without ongoing medication. HIV is a manageable disease and most infected people will live healthy, happy lives. If you are sexually active and especially if you are unsure of the safety of your relations you should test at least 3 times a year to monitor your status.

A number of misconceptions have arisen surrounding HIV/AIDS. Three of the most common are that AIDS can spread through casual contact, that sexual intercourse with a virgin will cure AIDS, and that HIV can infect only homosexual men and drug users. These are all untrue. Other misconceptions are that any act of anal intercourse between gay men can lead to AIDS infection, and that open discussion of homosexuality and HIV in schools will lead to increased rates of homosexuality and AIDS. As with many viruses that have threatened humanity in history our biggest weapon against HIV is knowledge. Talk about it and most importantly – know your status.