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Focus, Partner and Achieve an Aids-free Generation

Focus, Partner and Achieve an Aids-free Generation

World Aids Day, an idea that was conceived by two public information officers in 1987, is dedicated to raising awareness to the Aids epidemic that affects approximately 35.3 million people worldwide. World Aids Day is observed on 1 December every year.

The theme this year “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free generation”, is directed at Government health officials, NGOs and the public to emphasize the need for addressing HIV/Aids prevention and treatment.

Some facts about HIV/AIDS:

    • Aids is one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history.
    • Caused by infection with HIV, a person may experience a brief period with flu-like symptoms, before a long period with no symptoms. It renders the patient susceptible to infections like tuberculosis and certain cancers.
    • In the final stages of Aids, lung infections and a type of cancer known as Kaposi’s sarcoma are common.
    • HIV is primarily transmitted via unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated blood transfusions,hypodermic needles, and from mother to child, via pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.
    • Sub-Saharan Africa remains most severely affected, with nearly one in every 20 adults living with HIV and accounting for nearly 71% of the people living with HIV worldwide.
    • There are around two million deaths from Aids each year, of which about 270,000 are children.
    • HIV is treated with antiretrovirals, which work by stopping the virus replicating in the body, allowing the immune system to repair itself and preventing further damage. Patients tend to take three or more types of antiretrovirals – known as combination or antiretroviral therapy.
    • In 2013, nearly seven out of 10 pregnant women living with HIV – 970 000 women – received antiretrovirals.

Show your support on social media by tweeting, posting and commenting with the hashtag #WAD2014.

– Supplied

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