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The first mentions of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) emerged in 1981. In the initial patients, it was already at least in the third stage, where the immune system could no longer resist bacteria and viruses. From five infected individuals 32 years ago to 39 million people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in 2022, the HIV/AIDS epidemic stands as one of the most serious contemporary threats to public health.
Disease History
Initially, the unknown illness was called lymphadenopathy, due to the similarity of symptoms with this disease. The first case of HIV in humans was documented in 1959 in Congo. Cases were later recorded in Haiti in the ’60s, considered one of the main points of entry for the virus into the United States.
The first documented patients in 1981 were American intravenous drug users and members of the gay community. At that time, it was referred to as GRID – Gay-related immune deficiency. However, by 1982, it became clear that the disease affected people beyond the gay community, and it was named AIDS.
All patients were identified through existing opportunistic infections common in individuals with severely compromised immunity. These included fungal pneumonia and Kaposi’s sarcoma, a rare form of skin cancer. Only in 1986 were the virus proteins identified, and the name HIV was coined.
World HIV/AIDS Day 2023
According to a statement from UNAIDS, the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is a call to action: “Let Communities Lead.” It emphasizes that communities of people living with HIV, their loved ones, and those at risk are at the forefront of the fight against the epidemic.
That principle, where communities lead, has guided significant strides forward. That is reflected in the fact that the number of people on antiretroviral treatment worldwide rose almost fourfold, from 7.7 million in 2010 to 29.8 million in 2022.
Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
International and national health organizations urge participation in a global campaign to combat the epidemic every day of the year. Key steps include raising awareness, prevention, and treatment.
Empower Yourself
HIV is transmitted through three main routes: sexual contact, blood transmission, and during childbirth. We can control the first two: proper contraception and the caution with injections. Even after unprotected sex, post-exposure prophylaxis is an option – antiretroviral drugs significantly reduce the risk of infection.
However, infection is not a sentence. Modern antiretroviral therapy not only allows for a full and active life but also enables the birth of healthy children. The crucial aspect is to undergo regular screenings and promptly address any health issues.
