8th August, 2024,

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a term that applies to the most

advanced stages of HIV infection. It is defined by the occurrence of any of the
more than 20 life-threatening cancers or “opportunistic infections”, so named
because they take advantage of a weakened immune system.

The Symptoms of AIDS can vary from person to person, but here are some
common ones:

 Recurring fevers: Persistent and recurring fevers that last for weeks or
months.
 Fatigue: Extreme tiredness and weakness that interferes with daily life.
 Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss, often significant and rapid.
 Swollen lymph nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin.
 Diarrhea: Persistent and severe diarrhea that lasts for weeks or months.
 Skin rashes: Red, itchy, and painful rashes on the skin.
 Mouth sores: Painful sores or lesions in the mouth, throat, or esophagus.
 Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
 Coughing: Persistent and severe coughing, often with blood or mucus...
 Opportunistic infections: Increased susceptibility to infections like
pneumonia, tuberculosis, and toxoplasmosis.
 Cancer: Increased risk of certain cancers, such as Kaposi's sarcoma,
lymphoma, and cervical cancer.
AIDS is transmitted through bodily fluids. Here are the primary ways HIV is
spread:

 Unprotected sexual contact: Vaginal, anal, or oral sex without using

condoms or pre-exposure prophylaxis with an HIV-positive partner.
 Sharing needles or syringes: Sharing injecting equipment contaminated
with HIV-infected blood.
 Mother-to-child
transmission: HIV
transmission from
mother to child during:

- Pregnancy

- Childbirth

- Breastfeeding (if the

mother is not on effective HIV
treatment)

 Blood transfusions: Receiving blood or blood products contaminated with

HIV (rare in countries with screening protocols).
 Sharing personal care items: Sharing razors, toothbrushes, or other
personal items contaminated with HIV-infected blood.
AIDS is diagnosed through a series of tests and evaluations. Here are the main
steps involved:

1. HIV Testing: The first step is to test for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. This
can be done through:
o Antigen/Antibody Tests: These tests detect both HIV antibodies and
antigens in the blood.
o Nucleic Acid Tests (NATs): These tests look for the actual virus in the
blood and can detect HIV sooner than other tests.

2. CD4 Count: A key indicator of AIDS

is a CD4 cell count below 200 cells
per cubic millimeter of blood. CD4
cells are a type of white blood cell
that HIV targets and destroys.
3. Viral Load Test: This test measures
the amount of HIV in the blood. A
high viral load indicates a more
advanced infection.
4. Opportunistic Infections and
Cancers: The presence of certain
infections or cancers that are rare in
people without HIV can also lead to
an AIDS diagnosis.
5. Physical Examination and Medical History: Doctors will also consider
symptoms such as fever, weight loss, and chronic diarrhea, along with the
patient’s medical history
Preventing AIDS involves a combination of strategies that reduce the risk of HIV
transmission. Here are some effective ways to prevent AIDS:

1. Practice Safe Sex:

- Use condoms correctly and consistently.
- Use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if you're at high risk.
- Limit sexual partners.
2. Get Tested:
- Know your HIV status.
- Get tested regularly if you're
sexually active.
3. Use Clean Needles:
- Avoid sharing needles or
syringes.
- Use sterile needles and syringes
for injecting drugs.
4. Prevent Mother-to-Child
Transmission:
- HIV-positive mothers should
receive antiretroviral therapy (ART)
during pregnancy, childbirth, and
breastfeeding.
5. Avoid Blood Contamination:
- Ensure safe blood transfusions.
- Avoid sharing personal care items like razors or toothbrushes.
6. Get Vaccinated:
- Consider getting vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus) and
hepatitis B.
.
RESPONSE OF WHO {World Health Organization}:

Global health sector strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually

transmitted infections for the period 2022–2030 (GHSSs) guide strategic
responses to achieve the goals of ending AIDS, viral hepatitis B and C, and
sexually transmitted infections by 2030.
WHO’s Global HIV,
Hepatitis and STIs
Programmes
recommend shared
and disease-specific
country actions
supported by WHO
and partners. They
consider the
epidemiological,
technological, and
contextual shifts of previous years, foster learning, and create
opportunities to leverage innovation and new knowledge.
WHO’s programmes call to reach
the people most affected and most
at risk for each disease, and to
address inequities. Under a
framework of universal health
coverage and primary health care,
WHO’ s programmes contribute to
achieving the goals of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable
Development.
 MEASURES TAKEN BY INDIAN GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL AIDS IN INDIA:

India’s AIDS Control Programme is globally acclaimed as a success story.

The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), launched in 1992, is being
implemented as a comprehensive programme for prevention and control
of HIV/AIDS in India. Over time, the focus has shifted from raising
awareness to behavior change, from a national response to a more
decentralized response and to increasing involvement of NGOs and
networks of PLHIV.

In 1992, the Government launched the first National AIDS Control

Programme (NACPI) with an IDA Credit of USD 84 million and
demonstrated its commitment to combat the disease. NACP I was
implemented with an objective of slowing down the spread of HIV
infections so as to reduce morbidity, mortality and impact of AIDS in the
country. National AIDS Control Board (NACB) was constituted and an
autonomous National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) was set up to
implement the project. The first phase focused on awareness generation,
setting up surveillance system for monitoring HIV epidemic, measures to
ensure access to safe blood and preventive services for high risk group
populations.

In November 1999, the second National AIDS Control Project (NACP II) was
launched with World Bank credit support of USD 191 million. The policy
and strategic shift was reflected in the two key objectives of NACP II:
(i) to reduce the spread of HIV infection in India, and
(ii) to increase India’s capacity to respond to HIV/AIDS on a
long-term basis.

Key policy initiatives taken during NACP II included:

I. Adoption of National AIDS Prevention and Control Policy (2002);

 II. Scale up of Targeted Interventions for High risk groups in high
prevalence states;
III. Adoption of National Blood Policy;
IV. A strategy for Greater Involvement of People with HIV/AIDS (GIPA);
V. launch of National Adolescent Education Programme (NAEP);
Introduction of counseling, testing and PPTCT programmes;
VI. Launch of National Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) programme;
VII. Formation of anointer-ministerial group for mainstreaming;
VIII. and setting up of the National Council on AIDS, chaired by the Prime
Minister;
IX. and setting up of State AIDS Control Societies in all states.

In response to the evolving epidemic, the third phase of the national

programme (NACPIII) was launched in July 2007 with the goal of Halting and
Reversing the Epidemic by the end of project period. NACP was a
scientifically well-evolved programme, grounded on a strong structure of
policies, programmes, schemes, operational guidelines, rules and norms.
NACP-III aimed at halting and reversing the HIV epidemic in India over its
five-year period by scaling up prevention efforts among High Risk Groups
(HRG) and General Population and integrating them with Care, Support &
Treatment services. Thus, Prevention and Care, Support & Treatment (CST)
form the two key pillars of all the AIDS control efforts in India. Strategic
Information Management and Institutional Strengthening activities provide
the required technical, managerial and administrative support for
implementing the core activities under NACP-III at national, state and
district levels.

The capacities of State AIDS Control Societies (SACS) and District AIDS
Prevention and Control Units (DAPCUs) have been strengthened. Technical
Support Units (TSUs) were established at National and State level to assist
in the Programme monitoring and technical areas. A dedicated North-East
regional Office has been established for focused attention to the North
Eastern states. State Training Resource Centres (STRC) was set up to help the
state level implementation units and functionaries. Strategic Information
Management System (SIMS) has been established and nation-wide rollout is
under way with about 15,000 reporting units across the country. The next
phase of NACP will build on these achievements and it will be ensured that
these gains are consolidated and sustained.