Fight AIDS scientifically and keep loving till the end!

Author: Fan Ruirui, PhD in Medicine, Attending Physician, Peking Union Medical College Hospital Macau Medical Center

Reviewer: Chen Jin, Chief Physician of Dermatology and Venereology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chairman of Dermatology Branch of Chongqing Medical Association

As a major challenge in the current medical field, AIDS has become a major public health and social issue, which has attracted great attention from the World Health Organization and governments of various countries. In January 1988, the World Health Organization designated December 1 of each year as "World AIDS Day" to call on people around the world to unite and fight AIDS together.

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1. What is AIDS?

AIDS, or human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a highly contagious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). According to data from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, by the end of 2023, there will be approximately 39.9 million HIV-infected people worldwide[1]. The overview of the epidemic situation of notifiable infectious diseases in my country in 2021 shows that AIDS is currently the Class B infectious disease with the highest mortality rate, with young people aged 18 to 25 accounting for the highest proportion[2]. This may be related to the fact that people in this age group are in the stage of sexual activity, are not yet fully mature psychologically, and lack self-protection awareness, making them prone to high-risk sexual behavior. AIDS is highly transmissible, has a hidden onset, and has a high mortality rate. Both patients and HIV carriers are sources of infection. All populations are generally susceptible, but the risk of infection varies depending on lifestyle. People who engage in unsafe sexual behavior are at high risk.

2. Transmission routes and clinical manifestations of AIDS

There are three main ways of HIV transmission: blood transmission, sexual transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. Sexual transmission is the main cause of AIDS transmission due to unsafe sexual behavior, including unsafe same-sex, heterosexual, and bisexual contact. Transmission through blood and blood products includes intravenous drug injection using shared needles, transfusion of HIV-contaminated blood or blood products, and non-standard medical operations. Mother-to-child transmission mainly occurs during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding. The virus can be transmitted to the fetus or infant through the placenta, birth canal, and breast milk.

AIDS patients usually go through an acute phase, a latent phase, and an onset phase. HIV mainly invades and destroys the patient's immune function, causing the infected person to have a reduced resistance to various diseases or even death. The incubation period can be as short as a few months or as long as several years. In the early stages of infection, symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle aches may occur. The symptoms disappear after about two weeks, but may be accompanied by repeated swelling of lymph nodes throughout the body. During the onset phase, HIV gradually invades various systems, such as the skin, mucous membranes, nervous system, respiratory system, and digestive system, resulting in systemic symptoms, and may also lead to secondary tumors and serious bacterial and fungal infections.

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III. Prevention and Treatment of AIDS

At present, there is no effective cure for AIDS, and the key lies in prevention. Since HIV mutates during replication, causing the human immune function to lag behind the virus mutation, it is very difficult to develop an effective vaccine. However, we can take the following measures to prevent the spread of AIDS: do not abuse blood products and avoid unnecessary blood transfusions; be chaste, abide by sexual ethics, and avoid unprotected sex; use strictly disinfected or disposable medical equipment when performing tattoos, eyebrow tattoos, medical beauty and other operations to avoid cross-infection. It is worth noting that daily contact with HIV-infected people, such as shaking hands, hugging, talking, eating together, sharing bathrooms, etc., will not infect HIV, so discrimination against AIDS patients should be avoided.

Although AIDS is currently incurable, HIV blocking drugs have been developed that can block HIV infection with a high probability within 24 to 72 hours. Therefore, once a high-risk behavior that may lead to HIV transmission occurs, antiviral drugs should be taken within 72 hours to prevent infection [3]. In addition to personal efforts, social support is also crucial. The government should increase investment in AIDS prevention and treatment and provide more resources and support. At the same time, all sectors of society should strengthen their care and understanding for AIDS patients and let them feel warmth and hope.

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In short, AIDS is a challenge for all mankind. Although it cannot be completely cured, it can be prevented. The key lies in early detection, early testing, and early treatment. On this special day, we express our care and support to all people affected by AIDS, and jointly call for strengthening preventive measures, eliminating discrimination, and promoting global joint response to this major public health issue. Let us work together to "fight AIDS and prevent AIDS", share health responsibilities, and work hard to achieve the goal of "zero" AIDS!

References:

[1] Overview of the national statutory infectious disease epidemic situation in 2021[J]. Chinese Journal of Viral Diseases, 2022, 12(03): 236.

[2] Yu Wei, Fan Lu, Liu Qiang, et al. Analysis of the current status and characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus and Treponema pallidum infection in unpaid blood donors in Jiangxi Provincial Blood Center from 2019 to 2023[J]. Nursing Research, 2024, 38(22): 4124-4128.

[3]DE SOUZA MIS, CRISPIM MAE, FRAIJI NA, et al. HIV acute infection and long-term undisclosed HIV status among blood donors from the highly endemic Amazonas state, located in the Brazilian Amazon[J]. Braz J Infect Dis, 2024,28(4):103848.