By Habiba Ibrahim Abdullahi
World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness on the AIDS epidemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease. The acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) is a life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV infects and destroys cells of your immune system, making it hard to fight off other diseases. When HIV has severely weakened your immune system, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Because HIV works backward to insert its instructions into your DNA, it is called a retrovirus. A retrovirus is a virus that works backward from the way human cells do. Human cells have instructions (DNA) that send a message (RNA) to make building blocks for your body (proteins).
HIV infects white blood cells of your immune system called CD4 cells, or helper T cells. It destroys CD4 cells, causing your white blood cell count to drop. This leaves you with an immune system that cannot fight off infections, even those that would not normally make you sick.
HIV initially makes you feel sick with flu-like symptoms. Then it can hide in your body for a long time without causing noticeable symptoms. During that time, it slowly destroys your T-cells. When your T-cell count becomes very low or when certain opportunistic illnesses appear, HIV has progressed to AIDS.
It is a myth that HIV only infects certain people — anyone can get HIV if exposed to the virus.
Some populations are statistically more affected by HIV than others. Groups disproportionately affected include people who are gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM). Certain races such as Black and Hispanic populations, and those who exchange sex for money or other items, are also at higher risk.
Nigeria has the world’s second-highest burden of HIV/AIDS, with approximately 1.9 million people living with HIV, a national prevalence of 1.4% among adults aged 14–49, and significant regional variations particularly in the South-South and North-Central zones.
Symptoms
HIV/AIDS spreads more easily in the first few months, but many people remain unaware of their status. Symptoms include fever, headache, rash, and sore throat, which may gradually progress into more severe illnesses such as tuberculosis, severe bacterial infections, and cancers like lymphomas.
Transmission
HIV can be transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids such as vaginal secretions, semen, blood, and breast milk from people living with HIV. It cannot be transmitted through day-to-day activities such as hugging, kissing, or shaking hands.
Diagnosis
HIV can be diagnosed using rapid diagnostic tests that provide same-day results. Individuals can self-test, but confirmatory testing must be done by a qualified healthcare worker.
Prevention
HIV/AIDS is preventable, and the risk can be reduced through:
- Using condoms during sexual interactions.
- Regular testing for HIV and other STIs.
- Using harm-reduction tools when injecting drugs.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is also available for HIV-negative individuals to reduce the risk of HIV acquisition.
Treatment
There is no cure for HIV infection. However, it is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs that stop the virus from replicating in the body. ART lowers the amount of virus in a person’s body, stops symptoms, and allows individuals to live full and healthy lives.
As we mark the 37th anniversary of World AIDS Day, there is a need to reflect on past policies, their implementation, and the lives affected by HIV/AIDS. Increased awareness is needed to combat stigma, which remains a major challenge globally and in Nigeria.
People living with HIV/AIDS have the same right to dignity and inclusion as everyone else. Their condition should never be a basis for discrimination.
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