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- World AIDS Day!
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- Informtion
- Unified health days
- World AIDS Day!
World AIDS Day!
December 01

World AIDS Day has been celebrated around the world since 1988. The 2017 campaign, with the theme “My Health, My Right,” focuses on the right to health and the challenges faced by people affected by HIV/AIDS. The right to health includes the right of every person to prevention and treatment, the right to make decisions about their health, and the right to be treated with respect and dignity.
There are more than 40 million people living with HIV on the planet. As of November 1, 2019, more than 18 thousand people with HIV-positive status live in the Republic of Belarus.
During January-October 2017, 7 cases of HIV infection were registered in the region, and 10 during the same period last year.
63% of HIV-infected people in the region are over 30 years of age. Men predominate - 60%. The main route of HIV transmission is sexual, which accounts for 70%.
The increase in sexual transmission of HIV infection over the past few years indicates that people either do not know about infection prevention measures or neglect them, believing that HIV infection is relevant only to certain groups of the population to which they do not consider themselves.
In the social structure of HIV-infected persons newly identified in 10 months of the current year, 43% are persons without a specific activity, 29% are persons in working professions, 14% are persons from prison, 14% are persons on parental leave .
By starting treatment on time and following all the doctor’s instructions, people living with HIV can live a long and fulfilling life. Timely testing is important, as early diagnosis of HIV infection contributes to more effective treatment, improving the quality of life of people living with HIV and reducing risk factors for transmitting HIV to other people.
The Republic of Belarus has joined the European Testing Week, initiated by WHO in the European Region.
As part of World AIDS Day, awareness-raising events will be organized in institutions and organizations: round tables, lectures, conversations, education of workers in the workplace in work collectives, open lessons, speeches organized by medical specialists with the participation of volunteers, media, competitions, exhibitions, etc.
About HIV infection

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the causative agent of a chronic, long-lasting infectious disease called HIV infection.
HIV infection goes through several stages in its development. The later stages of HIV infection are characterized by a condition of the body that is commonly called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
The human immunodeficiency virus infects only certain cells of the human body - mainly the cells of the immune system - which leads to the body's inability to resist various infections.
HIV destroys the human body rather slowly and gradually. From the moment of HIV infection to the development of the AIDS stage, it can take from 7 to 15 years. Until HIV reaches the AIDS stage, an infected person may feel well, look healthy and not even suspect that he is infected. A diagnosis can only be made during this period using a special test for the presence of antibodies to HIV in the blood.
Routes of HIV transmission:
- sexual tract;
- parenteral route (through blood): when using syringes and needles contaminated with infected blood, when using shared needles for tattooing, etc.
- vertical path (from mother to child): during pregnancy and childbirth, during breastfeeding.
Clinical manifestations of HIV infection:
The incubation period lasts from one to several months, although in some cases it extends to several years.
ASYMPTOMIC STAGE of HIV infection includes:
- acute infection
- asymptomatic infection
- persistent generalized lymphadenopathy
ACUTE INFECTION :
The stage develops in the majority of HIV-infected people and in 90% it has a clinical picture similar to influenza. Most often, symptoms appear 1-3 weeks after infection and persist for 1-6 weeks.
The detection of antibodies to HIV at this stage is not constant and is often completely absent.
ASYMPTOMIC INFECTION :
Follows the acute phase of the disease.
Antibodies to HIV begin to be detected 1-3 weeks after the acute stage (or 6-8 weeks from the moment of infection). There are no clinical manifestations.
PERSISTENT GENERALIZED LYMPHADENOPATHY (PGL):
The main clinical sign is enlargement of lymph nodes of 2 or more groups (excluding inguinal ones), for 3 or more months. An increase in temperature, enlargement of the liver and spleen are often noted, and skin manifestations may develop. The duration of the asymptomatic stage varies from 3 to 10-15 years.
AIDS-ASSOCIATED COMPLEX (SAC) (pre-AIDS):
Sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, herpes infection, candidiasis, etc. are common.
Pre-AIDS is characterized by:
- weight loss of 10% or more;
- unexplained fever for 1 month or more;
- unstable stool for more than 1 month;
- profuse night sweats;
- chronic fatigue syndrome;
- fungal, viral, bacterial lesions of the skin and mucous membranes;
- pulmonary tuberculosis, etc.
The duration of this stage is 3-7 years.
AIDS STAGE:
The duration of the infectious process develops over 7-10 years.
This stage is characterized by severe, life-threatening infections that are generalized and malignant.
The existing damage to organs and systems is irreversible.
Treatment of HIV infection.
To treat HIV infection, antiretroviral drugs are used in a certain dosage and combination and must be used for life.
You can be tested for HIV infection anonymously and free of charge in any clinic, regardless of your place of residence or registration.
Why do you need to know if you have HIV?
- in order to start using special drugs in time to stop the development of the disease and prevent the development of AIDS;
- to be even more attentive to your health, since any disease against the background of HIV infection is more severe and requires special treatment.
- so as not to infect your loved ones.
PREVENTION OF HIV infection:
- fidelity to sexual partner;
- using a condom during sexual intercourse;
- use of disposable and sterile instruments for medical procedures;
- tattooing, ear piercing, piercing - only in beauty salons;