The spread of AIDS can be stopped with science backed protocols

The spread of AIDS can be stopped with science backed protocols

Subject : Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

• As of December 1, 2023, individuals with HIV who consistently undergo antiretroviral therapy (ART) experience a life comparable to those without HIV, with modeling studies indicating nearly identical life expectancies.
• This development challenges historical perceptions of HIV as a life-threatening condition and emphasizes the efficacy of sustained antiretroviral treatment.

Key Highlights:

Normal Life with ART: 

• Individuals with HIV who adhere to uninterrupted antiretroviral therapy are reported to lead normal lives.
• This marks a significant shift from earlier perceptions of HIV as a potentially life-threatening condition.

Life Expectancy Parity:

• Modeling studies have demonstrated that the life expectancy of individuals with HIV under consistent antiretroviral therapy is nearly indistinguishable from that of individuals without HIV.
• This finding underscores the effectiveness of modern medical interventions in managing the virus.

Global HIV Statistics: 

• Since the first reported case of HIV in 1981, approximately 39 million people globally are currently living with HIV.
• In India, the number stands at 2.4 million. This highlights the global and national impact of the virus.

New Infections: 

• Despite progress in managing HIV, there were 1.3 million new HIV infections worldwide in 2022, with India contributing 63,000 to this figure.
• The data emphasizes the ongoing challenges in preventing new infections.
• Key Populations at Risk:  Most transmissions occur within key populations, including female sex workers, men having sex with men, the transgender community, and injecting drug users.

About Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):

• HIV is a lentivirus, a sub-classification of retrovirus, that leads to the HIV infection and, over time, progresses to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

Types of HIV:

• Type One (HIV-1): This is the most common type, further categorized into four groups – Group M (Major), Group N (Non-M & Non-O), Group O (Outlier), and Group P.
• Group M is responsible for approximately 90% of HIV cases worldwide.
• Type Two (HIV-2): Found primarily in Western Africa, with some cases in India and Europe, HIV-2 is further categorized into eight groups (A to H).
• It is closely related to the simian immunodeficiency virus endemic in a monkey species.

AIDS: This is a severe condition where the immune system fails, making the affected person susceptible to life-threatening infections and cancers.

Transmission: HIV can be transmitted through blood, breast milk, vaginal fluids, semen, or pre-ejaculate. It exists as free particles and within infected immune cells in bodily fluids.

Survival Period: Without treatment, the average survival period for a person with HIV is nine to eleven years, depending on the subtype of HIV.

Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy can prevent the progression of HIV to a severe form.

First-line HIV Treatment – TLD:

• Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, Lamivudine, and Dolutegravir (TLD) is a single-pill antiretroviral treatment.
• WHO endorsed TLD in 2018 due to its effectiveness, fewer side effects, and simplicity.

Historical Progress and Collaboration:

• 2017: TLD was introduced at $75 annually in low- and middle-income countries with global support.
• Partnerships led to 19 million in resource-limited settings receiving TLD, promoting efficiency and sustainable pricing.

Future Initiatives and Impact:

• Global Fund’s NextGen approach focuses on affordable HIV treatment through collaborations, particularly in India and Africa.
• Pooled Procurement Mechanism and Reach
• Mechanism negotiated $1.5 billion in 2021 orders, serving 90 countries, and providing access to essential health products.

The Global Fund

• The Global Fund is an international financing and partnership organization.
• It was created in 2002 and its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The Global Fund aims to attract, leverage, and invest additional resources to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria to support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• It is designed to promote innovative solutions to global health challenges. It works in partnership with governments, civil society, technical agencies, and people affected by the diseases.
• Public sector contributions have constituted 95 percent of all financing raised; the remaining 5 percent comes from the private sector or other financing initiatives such as Product Red.

Govt Initiatives to control HIV

• Government of India provides free lifelong antiretrovirale (ARV) medicines for people living with HIV. Under its National AIDS Control Programme, presently 15.23 lakh (Approx.) people living with HIV are given ARV medicines through 687 ART centers and 1261 link ART centers irrespective of their income background. It includes free adherence counselling, diagnostic and monitoring services like baseline laboratory investigations, CD4 count testing, viral load testing, etc.
• To de–stigmatize the myths revolving around the disease, NACO implements multimedia campaigns along with mass media supported by outdoor media such as hoardings, bus panels, information kiosks, folk performances and exhibition vans to create awareness on HIV/AIDS and promoting services/facilities across the country. At the inter-personal level, training and sensitization programmes for Self-Help Groups, Anganwadi workers, ASHA, members of Panchayati Raj Institutions and other key stakeholders are carried out to spread awareness about treatment and other facilities. This year’s World Aids Day, observed on 1st December, was observed widely with the theme Equalize.
• The Adolescence Education Programme is implemented in more than 50,000 schools, providing 100% coverage to students of class 8^th, 9th and 11^ththrough co-curricular activities based on life skill education approach in senior and senior secondary schools. 32 States included the topic of HIV /AIDS in curricula of schools.
• Red Ribbon Clubs are formed in colleges to encourage peer to peer messaging on HIV prevention and provide a safe space for young people to seek clarification to their doubts on myths surrounding HIV/AIDS.