According to the World Health Organization, 3.5 million people have died of HIV infection so far. Ten million died last year alone. Another 37 million people worldwide are affected by this disease. About 1.8 million new people are infected with this virus every year.
The virus first started spreading in the 1980s. Since then, various ideas have been created about it, many of which are completely wrong. In 2016, 20 per cent of the UK population believed that touching someone with HIV, or touching their skin and saliva, would get you infected.
But it is not a contagious disease. If you breathe the same air, shake hands, hug, kiss, eat food from the same container, drink water, use personal items used by an infected person, use the toilet used by him, you will not be infected with the HIV virus.
In some African countries, India and Thailand, many believed that after being infected, having sex with a virgin or someone who had no sexual experience eliminated the virus. But this is a completely wrong idea. Rather, virgins are affected. This belief has led to rape of virgins in the region.
Similar beliefs were prevalent in 16th-century Europe when syphilis and gonorrhea were contracted. However, even in such instances, engaging in sexual activity with virgins is not efficacious. Mosquitoes tend to bite people in the same room. It is a misconception that it can be spread if an infected person is bitten by another. The idea that taking a shower after sex cleans the HIV virus is also completely wrong.
It is not spread by skin contact or saliva. Although the virus is spread through blood, studies have shown that you will not be infected by mosquitoes or insects that feed on blood. There are two reasons for that. One is that by taking blood from one's body, he does not inject that blood into another person's body. And in the body of a mosquito or other kit, this germ lives for a very short time.
Oral sex with an infected person is relatively less risky. However, it is possible to be infected through oral sex with an HIV positive woman or man. But its rate is very rare.
It is also not true that there is no chance of contracting HIV by using condoms. Because you can be in danger if the condom leaks while having sex with an infected person. Therefore, recent prevention campaigns are not only encouraging condom use, but also regular blood tests.
Another reason is that at least one in four people with the disease do not know they have it. Whose number is one crore. He may be unknowingly hurting others.
It is also a misconception that one does not have HIV if one does not show any symptoms. Even after being infected with this germ, a person may not show any symptoms for a long time. Thus an infected person can live ten to fifteen years.
In the first few weeks after the virus enters the body, flu-like symptoms may occur, including mild fever, headache, sore throat, and body rash.
Other symptoms will appear when the body's immune system gradually declines. The main danger of HIV is to destroy the immune system.
A weakened immune system can cause cough, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes or lumps under the skin, and weight loss.
Lack of treatment can lead to more serious illnesses. Due to the reduced immunity of the body, even a minor illness can lead to death if it is not treated because the body can no longer fight the disease with its normal function.
Recently, due to various types of treatment, HIV positive people are also able to live a healthy life for a long time.
The United Nations AIDS agency says 47 percent of those infected have HIV levels under control.
Sometimes even a blood test does not detect the germ. But if they neglect the treatment, its levels can become strong again. An infected mother may not infect her baby if the infection is controlled. The common belief is that if an infected woman gives birth, her baby will also lose this germ. However, this may not always be true. If the level of germs in the infected mother's body is under control, she may not infect the baby during childbirth.
An individual can acquire the virus through sexual intercourse with an infected person, either man or woman, without the use of a condom. Or taking the blood of an infected person, even if the same syringe used by someone like that enters the body, you will be infected with this germ. These are the biggest reasons. However, recently, the way it is tested before giving blood, the chances of receiving blood are decreasing. Beyond that there are a few rare causes.
