The Ministry of Health (MOH) has launched many AIDS awareness activities in observance of the World AIDS Day 2020 Campaign: ‘Check, Consult, Relax’.
In this regard, MOH has released many infographics via Twitter and ‘Live Well’ Awareness Platform. The infographics comprised comprehensive information about AIDS: an overview, symptoms, transmission causes, people at high risk, and prevention methods. According to the infographics, AIDS is defined as a chronic condition caused by a virus called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that affects and destroys CD4 cells, a type of white blood cells responsible for immune responses. In people with HIV, the disease develops into AIDS when there are fewer than 200 CD4 cells per cubic millimeter of blood.
As regards HIV symptoms, it was highlighted that they vary depending on the stage of infection: primary infection and clinical latency. Moreover, MOH has demonstrated HIV transmission modes. HIV is transmitted through blood and body fluids (semen and vaginal discharge), by way of sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, sharing contaminated needles or syringes, mother-to-child transmission (if the mother does not receive proper treatment during pregnancy), as well as breastfeeding.
It was also noted in the infographics that people at high risk for HIV infection are those who had unprotected or homosexual sex, people with sexually transmitted diseases (SSD), those who shared needles (especially drug users), and uncircumcised men (studies have shown they are at higher risk).
It is worth mentioning that there is no cure for HIV; however, antivirals are used to deactivate it.
Prevention methods include avoiding both extramarital and homosexual relationships. Besides, a condom should be used if one of the spouses has the disease. People should also keep away from sharing needles, piercing, or shaving tools. It should be noted that there is still no vaccine to prevent HIV infection.
To view the infographics: