HIV & AIDS
HIV & AIDS has had a devastating effect since the discovery of the virus in 1981. To date there have been over 65 million HIV infections and 25 million deaths due to the disease. In 2007 there were 33.2 million people living with HIV & AIDS (2.5 million new infections and 2.1 million deaths).
What is HIV? What is AIDS?
HIV stands for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus. The virus attacks the body’s immune system and makes it vulnerable to various infections. People who contract HIV may look healthy and not even know that they have the virus, but they can still pass it on to others.
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is caused by HIV. It occurs when the number of immune system cells falls drastically low and the body can no longer fight off certain ‘opportunistic’ infections. There is currently no known cure for AIDS.
HIV & AIDS: the facts
Despite the worldwide impact that HIV & AIDS has had since its discovery in the early 1980’s, there is still a lack of knowledge among the general public about the virus and how it can be transmitted.
Modes of HIV Transmission :
- Having unprotected sexual intercourse with a HIV positive person
- Blood transfusion from a HIV positive person
- Needle sharing (with a HIV positive person) during the taking of drugs
- From mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding
The HIV virus cannot be transmitted in any of the following ways:
- Hugging and kissing on the lips
- Sharing crockery and cutlery
- Shaking hands
- Using the same toilet facilities
- Coughing or sneezing
- Insect or animal bites
- Using the same laundry facilities
Condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission during sexual intercourse (when used correctly and consistently). For this reason, condom distribution and education is critical in the response to HIV & AIDS.
Impact of HIV & AIDS on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s)
The United Nations published its MDG’s in 2000. The Goals are a set of 8 guidelines to try to improve issues related to poverty and development by 2015. Goal 6 aims to combat HIV & AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
The realisation of all the MDG’s by 2015 has been severely hampered by the impacts of HIV & AIDS on human and social capital, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The MDG’s have been affected by HIV & AIDS in the following ways:
- Poverty & Hunger: Illness or death of the household’s breadwinner(s) due to HIV or AIDS leads to loss of income, increased medical costs and an inability to produce food.
- Education: HIV & AIDS has had a significant impact on education, through the loss of teachers, withdrawal of children from school to support the family and inability to pay school fees.
- Gender Equality: Girls are often removed from education to care for sick family members and/or to work to generate income.
- Child Mortality: Infant and child mortality rates due to HIV & AIDS infection are on the increase.
- Access to Healthcare: Healthcare systems are being affected due to loss of human and financial capital as a result of HIV & AIDS.
HIV & AIDS in the Developing World
In total, 65% of all HIV & AIDS infections occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. HIV and AIDS are more prevalent in developing countries because poverty, malnutrition and HIV & AIDS are inextricably linked. Poverty can make a household more vulnerable to food insecurity and poor nutrition. It also leads to high-risk survival strategies like migration and prostitution, which increase the chances of contracting HIV.
In 2007 there were 22.5 varied people in Sub-Saharan Africa living with HIV or AIDS. UNAIDS estimates that 85% of children living with HIV & AIDS (2 million in total) are located in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Worldwide, young women (15-24 years) are 1.6 times more likely than men, of the same age category, to be HIV positive. This ratio is 3:1 in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Anti Retroviral Drugs (ARV’s) are medications that can hinder the development of HIV to AIDS by 20 years or more. ARV’s slow the HIV replication process in the body, delaying the breakdown of the immune system. ARV’s need to be taken daily, often in a combination of 3 or more drugs. ARV treatment is expensive, and extremely difficult to come by in some developing countries. Less than 30% of people living in low/middle income countries who are in need of immediate ARV treatment can access and afford it.
HIV & AIDS in Ireland
HIV & AIDS infection rates are on the increase in Ireland, despite increased awareness campaigns, availability of information and knowledge about the virus. HIV was originally associated with homosexuality and sharing “dirty needles” during drug taking and it was considered a source of shame to people who had contracted the virus. HIV is still not openly talked about in Irish society and people living with HIV still experience seclusion and prejudice.
Irish Statistics (Year End 2009, Health Prtection Sorveillance Centre):
- The cumulative total number of HIV infections reported up to the end of December 2009 is 5,637.
- 395 new cases of HIV infection were recorded in Ireland in 2009
- Half of all HIV infections were through heterosexual transmission
- Over 47% of people were infected through heterosexual transmissions
- There were 136 babies born to HIV 131 infected mothers (5 twin deliveries) in Ireland during 2009. Based on serial HIV PCR testing; 122 are not infected, 13 remain of indeterminate status (i.e. do not meet the criteria for HIV infection and are <18 months at time of test) and one is infected.
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What can I do to improve awareness about HIV & AIDS?
Encourage family members, friends and work colleagues to participate in activities that highlight HIV & AIDS issues. These activities could include:
Wearing a red ribbon as a symbol of solidarity with those living with HIV and AIDS or asking your company to put one on its website. - Writing a letter or sending an email in support of campaigns such as the World AIDS Campaign or UNICEF Ireland
- Inform yourself and others- check out websites like www.avert.org or sign up for email updates on www.healthdev.org. Pass this information on to friends and colleagues.
- Plan an event or fundraise on World AIDS Day, December 1.
- Organise for an EIL Global Awareness volunteer to come to your community/youth group/school/workplace to talk about their experience.
"History will judge us on how we respond to the AIDS emergency..." - Bono
Useful websites
HIV Services Network - The HIV Services Network came into existence in Spring 2000 in response to a growing demand for improved co-operation and skills development amongst those working within the HIV sector in Ireland.The Network is open to any individual or agency providing services to those affected by HIV.
Open Heart House - HIV Positive (HIV+) member-led organization with a mission to empower and enhance the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS.
Dublin AIDS Alliance - DAA is a voluntary organisation working to improve conditions for people living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS.
UNAIDS - the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS brings together the efforts and resources of ten UN system organizations in the AIDS response to help the world prevent new HIV infections, care for people living with HIV, and mitigate the impact of the epidemic.
The Body - a HIV & AIDS resource website.
AIDS.org - a resource website providing information and education on HIV & AIDS.
Avert - an international HIV and AIDS charity based in the UK, working to AVERT HIV and AIDS worldwide. Avert has HIV and AIDS projects in countries where there is a particularly high rate of infection, such as sub-Saharan Africa, or where there is a rapidly increasing rate of infection such as in India.
World Health Organization - WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
Health Protection Surveillance Centre - reports on HIV and AIDS cases in Ireland. HIV and AIDS reports are published biannually on the HPSC website.