AIDS cannot be cured, but the disease can be prevented!

About the history of HIV infection

The inhabitants of our planet learned about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 1981. Almost simultaneously, the discoverers of the virus were Luc Montenier from the Pasteur Institute (France) and Robert Gallo from the National Institutes of Health (USA).

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But only two years later (in 1983), after the first cases of the disease were identified, the “Human Immunodeficiency Virus” (HIV) was isolated.

Since then, HIV has spread to almost the entire planet. Currently, according to official data, more than 33 million people are registered in the world; their real number is 5-10 times greater.

Every year, more than 2 million people in the world become infected with the HIV virus and the same number die from AIDS. HIV knows neither geographical nor national boundaries; it is equally merciless to both rich and poor.

This problem is also relevant for Belarus. Every year about 1,000 HIV-infected people are registered in our country, and about 300 people in Minsk. In terms of the prevalence of HIV infection, Minsk ranks 3rd in the republic, after Gomel and Minsk regions.

In Minsk, the annual increase in the number of detected cases of HIV infection continues. The main causes of infection in HIV-infected patients in Minsk in 2014 were: injection drug use - 54.5%, sexual transmission - 43.6%, of which 33.3% of patients were infected through heterosexual and 10.3 % - during homosexual contacts. The majority of HIV-infected people are registered in 3 age groups: 30-34 years old - 29.7%, 25-29 years old - 26.1%, 40 years old and older - 18.9%.

What is HIV/AIDS?

HIV infection is an infectious process in the human body caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, characterized by a slow progression, damage to the immune and nervous systems, with the subsequent development against this background of opportunistic (concomitant) infections and neoplasms, leading to death in the HIV-infected person.

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the terminal stage of HIV infection, occurring in most cases after a very long period from the moment of infection with the virus.

Source of infection

  • The only source of infection is an HIV-infected person at all stages of the disease.

Modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS

There are three main routes of transmission:

  • Parenteral route (through blood) - infection occurs through injection of infected drugs, use of unsterile needles and syringes, transfusion of contaminated blood, through undisinfected instruments for hygiene procedures.
  • Sexual route - infection occurs through sexual contact with an HIV-infected person.
  • Vertical, or intrauterine route - the virus is transmitted from an infected mother to a child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

A high concentration of the virus that can infect a healthy body is contained in the blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. It is found in urine, saliva, and tears in low concentrations and is not dangerous in small volumes.

HIV is not transmitted

  • with friendly kisses;
  • when shaking hands;;
  • when coughing, sneezing;
  • through dishes, clothes, linen;
  • when visiting the pool, sauna, toilet;
  • for insect bites.

Treatment of the disease

Over the past years, despite the efforts of various specialists around the world, huge amounts of money spent on research and treatment of the “plague” of the 20th century, no means have yet been found for carrying out preventive vaccinations and for radically curing infected patients.

The medicines available to doctors can only temporarily stabilize the condition of an HIV/AIDS patient, alleviate his suffering and prolong his life.

HIV - among women

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is increasingly taking on a female face:

  • almost half of all people living with HIV in the world are women;
  • women are especially vulnerable to HIV infection and its consequences;
  • the likelihood of contracting HIV for girls and young women is 2.5 times higher than for their male peers;
  • Women are more likely than men to become infected with HIV even from a single unprotected sexual intercourse;
  • the spread of HIV infection among women leads to an increase in children born to HIV-infected mothers; Most children become infected with HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

Prevention and protection measures

There are currently no specific means of preventing HIV infection in the world. Therefore, protection from this terrible disease in overwhelming cases depends entirely on the behavior and lifestyle of the person himself.

  • The main condition for maintaining health and preventing infection is moral purity and loyalty to your chosen life partner.
  • Always and everywhere use only personal hygiene items (toothbrushes, razors, blades, etc.).
  • Avoid casual sex; If this occurs, be sure to use a condom.
  • Do not have sex with people who use drugs.
  • Accustom yourself and your partner to systematically and correctly use a condom; this will help reduce the likelihood of contracting AIDS, protect against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.
  • Do not use narcotic drugs.

You can be examined for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus in the blood at any health care institution in Minsk, incl. anonymously, as well as in the HIV/AIDS Prevention Department of the Republican Center for Geology and Health (Klara Zetkin St., 4).

Remember! AIDS is incurable, but it can and should be prevented!