We’ve have come a long way since then. The battle against HIV/AIDS isn’t over though and we have to remain vigilant if we hope to attain the target: Getting to Zero – zero infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths by 2015.  There’s renewed optimism among all quarters that battle with HIV/AIDS pandemic is in sight. 

So what is HIV/AIDS?

Human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a disease caused by a virus which in the long run nullifies the immune system which makes a patient vulnerable to various opportunistic infections and diseases which wouldn’t affect a normal person.

HIV/AIDS: Introduction, complications and symptoms

Such has been the advancement in medicine and technology that being diagnosed with HIV is no longer a death sentence.Eminent AIDS journalist Randy Shilts had predicted sometime in the 80s that by 1994 HIV/AIDS would be a ‘manageable conditions like diabetes’ and while we’re still off the mark there’s hope it can be achieved in the near future.

• Living with HIV: Diagnosis, treatment and prevention
• Video: TeachAIDS  - starring Shabana Azmi and Shruti Hassan
• Condoms: The most powerful weapon against HIV/AIDS

 HIV/AIDS: Global response

From the Bill and Melinda Gates to the Clintons, US government to NACO, thousands of people and organisations worldwide have been battling the pandemic. Worldwide, the number of people newly infected continues to fall: the number of people (adults and children) acquiring HIV infection in 2011 (2.5 million) is 20 percent lower than in 2001. In 2011, 1.7 million people died from AIDS-related causes worldwide. This represents a 24 percent decline in AIDS-related mortality compared with 2005 when 2.3 million deaths occurred.

• Together we can end AIDS
• Is the end of AIDS in sight?
• How the HIV/AIDS battle can be won

 HIV/AIDS in India

India’s model to contain the disease has been lauded far and wide by many, including UNAIDS chief Peter Sidibe. Despite lack of healthcare services and sex being a taboo topic we have done admirably to keep the numbers low. 

• India winning the battle against AIDS
• India records 57% HIV drop
• Health minister reveals 56% decrease in HIV infection rate
• India’s HIV/AIDS control mission most successful globally
• Domestic funding on HIV on the rise
• NACO merges with NRHM
• Mumbai winning the battle against AIDS

Another reason why India is a forerunner in the battle against HIV/AIDS is its burgeoning pharmaceutical industry. It’s believed that low-cost generic drugs made by Indian companies like Cipla and Ranbaxy have saved many lives not only in India but also other developing countries like Africa where the older drugs were too costly for the public.

• CIPLA launches QVIR – a four in one HIV for drug for Rs 158
• Gilead sciences inks deal with Ranbaxy and others to provide low cost generic drug
• HIV positive children to receive oral drug

HIV/AIDS: Stigmatisation and Discrimination

Since the disease surfaced the HIV positive have been subject to strong discrimination from various sections of society. One of the primary reasons for this was that initially the disease was more prevalent among drug users, homosexuals and sex workers – people society usually tends to look down upon. This led to the perception that only they could get the disease. Even after widespread awareness campaigns there are lots of myths about the disease. It’s time we cleared those doubts:

• Ten myths about HIV/AIDS
• Men who have sex with men (MSM) and HIV
• Battle against stigma still on
• Outrageous – HIV positive family beaten, thrown out by neighbours
• HIV women face more domestic abuse

 Winning the battle

In order to completely eradicate the disease there will be three things we will need to achieve

• Provide drugs/medication that can treat HIV positive people
• Remove stigmatisation against HIV/AIDS
• And finally create a vaccine or medicine that can prevent HIV and/or reverse the symptoms.

And there actually is optimism among many scientists and experts who believe that the all-elusive cure isn’t too far away. 

• Scientists hope to find cure soon
• Cow’s milk – an unlikely HIV/AIDS cure?
• Truvada – the first pill to beat HIV goes for FDA approval
• Early treatment can stop transmission by 96%: WHO

While there is a tough road ahead, an HIV-free world by 2015 doesn’t seem infeasible. We as a race have managed to eradicate diseases like rinderpest and small pox. Polio too is on its last leg with only a few cases being reported worldwide. If a disease like polio can be on its last leg, so can AIDS.

There’s enough evidence to suggest that if all of us remain vigilant, that we don’t let stigma and taboo come in the way and increase education, then we can live to see an HIV-free world. Imagine a world without HIV, it’s easy if you try. Believe it. Do it. 

What is HIV?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that destroys or impairs the function of the body’s immune system making the person more susceptible to infections. Unless treated, it develops into full-blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The virus infects humans when it comes in contact with tissues lining the vagina, anal area, mouth and eyes, or through a break in the skin. There are two main types – HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-2 is typically found in Africa and parts of Asia. HIV-2 is typically found in Africa and parts of Asia. Asia can thus no longer be considered free of HIV-2, and testing for HIV-2 appears mandatory, at least in India. Worldwide, when people refer to HIV they are usually referring to HIV-1.

What is AIDS?

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) isn’t a disease in itself. It is a condition in caused by HIV in which the body’s immune system fails to battle foreign microorganisms. This leads to various opportunistic infections and/or certain cancers. It is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

How long does it take for HIV infection to develop into AIDS?

The time taken for HIV infection to develop into AIDS varies widely between individuals. The majority of HIV infected people will develop signs of HIV related diseases within 5 to 10 years, if left untreated. However, HIV infection can take 10–15 years or longer to progress into AIDS. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can slow down the process even further.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV infection is spread from person to person when human blood and sexual fluids (semen and vaginal secretions) are shared. HIV can be transmitted through:

• Unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral*)
• Transfusion of contaminated blood
• Sharing of contaminated needles used for injectable drugs
• Sharing infected needles for tattoos and body piercing
• Oral sex (the risk is small, though)
• From HIV infected mother to her child during pregnancy, child birth or breast feeding

* The chances of HIV transmission through oral sex are low but it can’t be completely ruled out.

The virus cannot survive for long outside the human body and dies quickly when the body fluid in which it is contained dries up. This is why it can’t be spread by insects, can’t spread like the flu virus (public surfaces, coughing, sneezing, etc.) The virus does not live in saliva, tears, urine or perspiration. Hence, casual contact with these body fluids does not be spread HIV. Hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, food or water does not transmit HIV.

How does HIV progress? What are the stages of HIV?

Our blood has something called white blood cells along with red blood cells and thrombocytes. The main function of white blood cells called CD4 cells or T-cells is to fight disease. It’s these cells that are attacked and destroyed by HIV, making the person more susceptible to illnesses. There are three stages of HIV infection:

• Stage 1: Initial stage of infection that occurs within weeks of acquiring the virus. It is characterized by flu-like illness which generally disappears within weeks. AIDS-related conditions are not seen. The CD4+ cells are at least 29% of all lymphocytes with a count greater than 500 (which is a good thing).
• Stage 2: It is a stage with a long duration of infection without symptoms that may last for eight to 10 years. AIDS-related conditions are still not seen. The CD4+ cells fall and are between 14% and 28% of all lymphocytes with a count 200 to 499.
• Stage 3: It is the stage in which the body’s immune system is suppressed and complications develop. It is called the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS-related conditions are present. The CD4+ cells are even less; around 14% of all lymphocytes with a count lower than 200.

What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?

HIV symptoms vary from person to person. Some people experience a flu-like illness such as fever, headache or sore throat in the first few weeks after which the symptoms vanish.  A person can have HIV for many years before developing any symptoms.

As the infection gradually progresses the person’s immune system weakens and they might experience persistent yeast infections on the tongue (thrush). Women may develop severe vaginal yeast infections as well. Some of the other signs and symptoms are frequent fevers, diarrhoea, cough, swollen lymph nodes, persistent skin rashes, lack of energy, weight loss, mouth, genital or anal sores from herpes infections, short-term memory loss, etc.

Opportunistic infections are common in people with AIDS which affects nearly every organ system. Some of the signs that HIV is turning into AIDS include:

• Persistent fever
• Extreme fatigue not related to stress or lack of sleep
• Persistent diarrhoea
• Severe malnutrition, losing weight
• Swollen glands in the neck, groin, etc.
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Oral thrush
• Headache, confusion and forgetfulness
• Increased risk of developing various cancers like Kaposi sarcoma, lymphomas, cervical cancer, etc. 

What are the complications of AIDS?

People with AIDS are extremely susceptible to infection. Some of the following conditions are commonly associated with AIDS:

• Tuberculosis (TB) – a bacterial infection that primarily infects the lungs. It is a leading cause of death in people living with HIV. Nearly a quarter of a million fall prey to it each year.
• Herpes Simplex - a virus that causes cold sores or genital herpes (painful blisters in the genital area). Severe HSV lesions are common in the advanced stages of AIDS.
• Kaposi’s sarcoma – a skin tumour with purple blotches on the skin or in the mouth. It is caused by herpes virus.
• Lymphoma – tumours develop from white blood cells in the lymphatic system. A common disease associated with AIDS in which cancer cells are found in the lymph systems of AIDS patients.
• Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) – an infection that causes inflammation and fluid build-up in the lungs. It is the most common opportunistic infection in HIV infected people.
• Oral thrush – an infection of the mouth caused by the fungus candida. Candida infection is more likely to develop in HIV infection.
• Cytomegalovirus infection – cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes HIV-associated infections. The virus usually remains dormant in a healthy person. The most common illnesses that CMV causes in a HIV infected person are blindness, pneumonia, liver disease, etc.
• Toxoplasmosis – a parasitic disease which rarely causes any symptoms in healthy adults. But it can be a serious disorder for people with HIV/AIDS. It causes brain lesions in HIV infected people.

Also read: HIV/AIDS: Diagnosis, treatment and prevention

The only way to diagnose HIV is to take a test which looks for signs of the virus in the blood. Presence of the virus in the blood is termed as HIV positive (HIV+). If no signs of the virus are found in the blood, the result is considered negative. It is diagnosed on the basis of positive results from two different HIV tests.

The plasma HIV RNA test (a viral load test) is recommended when recent infection is suspected. The test detects the virus in the blood within 9 days of infection; before the body develops detectable antibodies to it.

Antibody tests: The antibody tests check for HIV antibodies that the body produces in response to the infection. In most people, antibodies to the virus are not detectable during a window period of 3 to 12 weeks after infection. Hence, a HIV antibody test is not useful during this period. Retesting should be done after three months to confirm the test results. Some of the antibody tests are as follows:

• Rapid HIV antibody test, the most common HIV test, is done using blood, urine or saliva and can produce results within an hour.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is an antibody test that is usually the first one used to detect HIV infection. If the result is positive, the test is usually repeated to confirm the diagnosis.
• Western blot test is one of the oldest but most accurate confirmatory antibody tests. It is done to confirm the results of two positive ELISA tests

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR, a viral load test) test finds either the RNA or the DNA of the HIV in white blood cells even if other tests are negative for the virus. The PCR test is very useful to find a very recent infection, screen blood for HIV before donation and in babies born to mothers infected with the virus.

Protein p24, the antigen on HIV that produces an antibody response in the body is produced in excess early in the infection. Antigen p24 tests detect these proteins in the blood. This test is usually not used for general HIV diagnostic purposes.

HIV-infected people may not have any symptoms of disease for eight to ten years or longer (asymptomatic period). Their CD4 (T-cell) count should be watched closely during this time. If they have a CD4 count below 200 and/or if AIDS-related conditions appear, then they are considered to have AIDS.

What is the treatment for HIV? Is there a cure for HIV?

The two main goals of HIV treatment are

• to prevent the virus from damaging the immune system
• to halt or delay the progress of the infection

Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are used for treating and preventing HIV infection. They stop or interfere with the reproduction of the virus in the body.

HIV therapy includes combinations of drugs. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) consisting of combination of three or more antiretroviral drugs to suppress the virus. ART does not cure HIV infection. It controls replication of the virus thereby strengthening an individual’s immune system to fight off infections. These drugs must be taken at the right time every day. Incorrect or inconsistent therapy can mutate the virus causing resistance to treatment. In such cases, other medication options must be used. The amount of the virus in the blood (viral load) is measured to monitor the efficacy of the treatment. The goal of treatment is to get an undetectable viral load in lab tests.

There is no cure for HIV. But the progression of the virus in the body can be reduced to a near halt with continued adherence to appropriate antiretroviral therapy. If the infection has progressed to AIDS, treatment may also include drugs to fight and prevent the opportunistic infections.

People with HIV need counselling and psychosocial support in addition to antiretroviral treatment. A high quality of life needs to be maintained with basic hygiene, adequate nutrition and safe water.

Can treatment prevent HIV from advancing to AIDS?

Yes. Treatment with anti-HIV medications prevents the virus from multiplying and destroying the immune system, thus helping the body fight off infections and cancers and preventing HIV from advancing to AIDS.

Can HIV be prevented?

By limiting exposure to risk factors, a person can reduce the risk of HIV infection. The preventive measures include:

• Correct and consistent use of condoms can protect against the spread of HIV.
• Antiretroviral drugs taken by the HIV-negative partner can be effective in preventing acquisition from an infected partner. This is called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) - WHO recommends that countries implement demonstration projects on PrEP for serodiscordant couples and men and transgender women who have sex with men.
• Health care workers with needle prick injuries in the workplace are recommended post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Antiretroviral drugs are used within 72 hours of exposure to HIV in order to prevent infection. Counselling, first aid care and HIV testing are also done. A 28-day course of antiretroviral drugs with follow-up care is advised depending on the level of risk.
• People exposed to any of the risk factors are strongly advised to test for HIV and other STIs.
• Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding can be fully prevented if both the mother and the child are provided with antiretroviral drugs
• Male circumcision reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60%.
• Use sterile needles and syringes for each injection.
• Antiretroviral therapy decreases the HIV concentration (viral load) in the blood and in genital secretions. According to a new trial the risk of transmitting the virus through sexual contact can be reduced by 96% if an HIV-positive person follows an effective antiretroviral therapy regimen.

Also read: HIV/AIDS – causes, symptoms and complications

The theme for World AIDS Day from 2011-15 is ‘Getting to Zero’ – zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. Many people are gravely misinformed about the disease and how it spreads and this often leads to stigmatisation of the HIV positive. To commemorate World AIDS Day we bust some of the most common myths about the condition:  

Myth 1: One can get HIV by being around people who are HIV+.

The disease can only be transmitted through body fluids like blood, semen or breast milk. HIV cannot be spread through saliva, sweat or by touching. The virus finds it hard to survive when it isn’t living in bodily fluids. So you cannot catch HIV by:

• Breathing the same air as someone who is HIV+
• Hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with someone who is HIV+
• Touching a toilet seat or doorknob handle after an HIV+ person
• Sharing food with an HIV+ person

Myth 2: One can get HIV from mosquitoes.

There’s no way you can get HIV from a mosquito. Technically, even if a mosquito which has bit an HIV positive person were to bite you there’s no chance of the virus being transmitted because mosquitoes don’t inject any blood into your system. Academically speaking you could get the virus, if a mosquito which has bit an HIV positive person were to bite you and you killed the mosquito over broken skin allowing its blood to enter your system through the broken skin. But this is just theoretical and it has never been recorded in real life.

Myth 3: A person who is HIV+ or has AIDS is easy to spot.

No. Symptoms vary from person to person. In most cases, after contracting the virus people experience some flu-like symptoms which then disappear. The condition can lay dormant for years without people realising they have the disease.

Myth 4: HIV will progress to AIDS and the person will die soon

HIV only progresses to AIDS if left untreated. Antiretroviral treatments can stop the various AIDS-like conditions from manifesting for years. If the drug procedure is continued the viral load in the blood is undetectable and the person will not exhibit any AIDS-like diseases. Regular medication will prevent the HIV strain from affecting the resistance of the body.

Myth 5: The only people who get HIV are homosexuals, sex workers and intravenous drug users. I don’t need to worry.

There’s a common misconception that unless one falls in the above group they can’t get HIV. It was particularly bolstered because the aforementioned groups are high-risk groups who are more exposed to the virus. The fact remains that anyone can get HIV. For example, a normal person can get it from a faulty blood transfusion procedure and everyone needs to remain vigilant.

Myth 6: Drugs are so powerful that you can stop taking them after some time

Sometimes the medical treatment can be extremely agonising for patients because the drugs are quite strong. But stopping the procedure will again make the person vulnerable to the virus which can then allow opportunistic infections to attack the body. It’s vital not to stop the medication procedure.

Myth 7: One can’t get HIV from oral sex

While it’s true that HIV is harder to transmit through oral sex than anal or vaginal intercourse, there still remains some chance of the virus being transmitted. For example, a person’s genitals could have cuts and bruises which could cause the virus to be transmitted.

Myth 8: Only people from the lower socio-economic class are affected by HIV/AIDS.

HIV knows no class. Anyone can fall prey to the condition. Participating in risky sexual behaviour like unprotected sex with strangers, unhygienic use of syringes and needled and transmission from an HIV positive mother to child are all possible scenarios.

Myth 9: HIV and AIDS are only caused through sex.

The viral strains can also spread through unsafe and unhygienic usage of needles. This can occur in hospitals, tattoo parlours and in individuals taking intravenous drugs. Also, breast milk from an HIV infected mother can cause HIV in the new born, if breast fed unknowingly. Very rarely, HIV can also spread through deep kissing if either of the persons are HIV+ and have bleeding gums.

Myth 10: The baby of a HIV+ pregnant mother will also have the infection.

There are less than two per cent chances of the baby being infected with HIV. If the condition of the mother is previously known, ART can prevent the unborn baby from being infected. Whether an HIV mother can or cannot breastfeed is still in a grey research area. One research in South Africa found that babies who were breastfed by their HIV positive mothers showed a lesser likelihood of mother-to-child transmission HIV than the ones who were breastfed and also given additional solids. Others state that HIV positive mothers shouldn’t breastfeed. For the record, the WHO endorses breastfeeding among HIV positive women who are undergoing antiretroviral treatment. 

India, as a nation usually performs worse than its South Asian neighbours when it comes to basic healthcare parameters – the infant mortality rate of Bangladesh (37) and Sri Lanka (11) are lower than India’s – but there’s one disease that the country has been battling successfully – HIV/AIDS.

According to the latest UNAIDS report, India managed to reduce its HIV count by a staggering 57percent while both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka saw an increase in HIV cases by 25 percent. This has led to various international figures likepraising India’s HIV/AIDS prevention model.

India is not alone though in reining the overall spread of the disease. Worldwide, the number of people newly infected continues to fall: the number of people (adults and children) acquiring HIV infection in 2011 (2.5 million) is 20 percent lower than in 2001. In 2011, 1.7 million people died from AIDS-related causes worldwide. This represents a 24 percent decline in AIDS-related mortality compared with 2005 when 2.3 million deaths occurred.

In India, according to the health ministry (National Aids Control Organization-NACO) approximately 21 lakh people are living with HIV. Globally, according to the UNAIDS report, 34.0 million people have been estimated to be living with AIDS in 2011 and about half of them do not know their HIV status.

In South and South-East Asia, the estimated 270 000 [230 000–340 000] new HIV infections in 2010 is 40 percent less than at the epidemic’s peak in 1996.

Concurring with the view that the world might have seen off the worst phase, Dr KK Aggarwal, consultant, medicine and cardiology at Moolchand Heart Hospital, New Delhi, reiterates, ‘During the last decade there has been a reduction in HIV infection cases because of an increased level of awareness among masses and effective government initiatives by timely recognising the magnitude of the epidemic and decentralising the programme at the time of the implementation of National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) to the State AIDS Control Societies (SACS).’

The efforts to tame the overall spread of the disease have, however, yet to make a significant dent in the worst affected high risk category. According to the latest Technical Report of India’s HIV estimates, at the national level, HIV prevalence in men who have sex with men (MSM) stands at 4.43 percent and for female sex workers (FSW) the figure is recorded at 2.67 percent respectively.

Throwing spotlight on the worst-affected categories in India, Dr. Aggarwal at Moolchand warns, ‘According to a recent study more men are HIV positive than women. Nationally, the prevalence rate for adult female is 0.29 percent, while for male it is 0.43 percent. This means that for every 100 people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHAs), 61 are men and 39 women. Prevalence is also high in the 15-49 age group (88.7 percent of all infections), indicating that AIDS still threatens the cream of society, those in the prime of their working life.’

Globally, the biggest gain has been made in reducing new HIV infections among children. Half of the global reductions in new HIV infections in the last two years have been among newborn children. The new HIV infections in children have dropped by 24 percent in the last two years.

Rapid increases in Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) coverage are helping more countries achieve universal access to treatment, care and support. Antiretroviral therapy has emerged as a powerful force for saving lives. In the last 24 months the numbers of people accessing treatment has increased by 63 percent globally. In India approximately 40 -59 percent of eligible people were receiving ART at the end of 2011.

UNAIDS latest says to achieve universal access to HIV treatment, prevention, care and support by2015, and to maintain it, HIV programme funding needs to be scaled up from US$ 16.6 billion in 2011 to US$ 24 billion in 2015, before declining to US$ 19.8 billion in 2020.

Emphasising on continuing the prevention activities in full swing, Anjali Gopalan, executive director at Naz Foundation, a non-profit organisation working on sexual health, asserts, ‘If we look around we would see that the prevention activities are not happening very actively. It is high time that one should be aware of the fact that care and prevention are part of the same continuum to control the spread of the infection.’

According to a survey conducted by the Epidemiology division of NICED in the state, sex workers, truck drivers and street children are the most affected. ‘About 150 out of 15,000 street children are HIV positive. This is probably due to sexual abuse and drug intake via shared injections,’ said Sarkar. The fact that HIV positive patients do not diligently follow the drug therapy regimen adds to the woes.
‘They stop taking medication after the emergency period. This makes the virus drug resistant,’ added Sarkar. As per data from the World Health Organization in 2011, there were 2.5 million new cases of AIDS patients and around 1.7 million people died due to the disease.
However, there were seven lakh lesser new HIV infections than 10 years ago and six lakh fewer deaths from AIDS than in 2005.

Source: IANS

 On Friday, Azad told Parliament that discrimination is rampant in India. The minister said the operational guidelines for ART services clearly mention that ‘irrespective of HIV status of a person, all patients are entitled to receive general and special outpatient and inpatient services in a hospital.’ He added that ‘confidentiality should be maintained at all levels irrespective of HIV status as per medical ethics and the law.’ But he admitted that cases of discrimination ‘are reported from time to time’.

According to him, 21 cases of discrimination have been reported in the last three years. 11 cases of suicides by HIV/AIDS patients have also been witnessed. North India, the minister feels, still has to go some way to control the virus.‘North India has been slow to address the HIV threat. Southern states have done better,’ said Azad.

On the bright side, new HIV infections among children are going down, but to create an AIDS-free generation HIV+ pregnant women need to receive antiretroviral treatment, said UNICEF. The total number of people living with HIV in the country has seen a decline from approximately 2.3 million to 2.1 million. The drop has been much higher among men (16%) than women (2.6%). ‘Thanks to remarkable global commitment, the world has seen a 24% reduction in new HIV infections in children – from 430,000 in 2009 to 330,000 in 2011. Much progress has been made in the field of treatment. In low and middle-income countries, coverage of effective antiretroviral treatment for preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) reached 57% in 2011,’ UNICEF added.

 Regarding access to treatment of children in need, it increased from 6% in 2006, when the paediatric HIV programme was launched in India to 34% last year.  ‘It is simply wrong that adults are twice as likely as children to receive the treatment they need,’ said Anthony Lake, executive director of UNICEF. ‘By definition, an AIDS-free generation depends on protecting the youngest and most vulnerable from HIV infection. We must do still more to help mothers and children who live with HIV be able to live free from AIDS.  We must rededicate ourselves to boosting the number of pregnant women and children being tested and treated through basic antenatal and child health programmes,’ he added.

The number of cases is highest in Kangra, Hamirpur and Mandi districts. Kangra has the highest number of 639 AIDS patients, followed by Hamirpur (512), Mandi (235) and Bilaspur (206 cases). The state capital has 65 AIDS patients. But another remote district, Kinnaur has one AIDS patient and 14 HIV positive. Dogra said this year 412 new cases of HIV positive were detected in the state, where the first case was reported in 1992. Interestingly, Lahaul-Spiti has set an example with 1,017 females per 1,000 males in the 0-6 age group — the highest in the country at the district level — as per the census for 2011.

The district has also seen a rise in sex ratio in the past 10 years. It has shown an improvement of 114 — 916 in 2011 against 802 in 2001. The district, spread over 13,835 sq km, is a place of remote, untouched beauty with just 31,528 people. The climatic conditions of the area are harsh as much of the land falls under a cold desert where the mercury drops below minus 20 degrees Celsius during winter. 

Source: IANS

The shelter home was started with two children in 2010 and today it has over 25. Besides providing for their lodging and food, Rays supplies medicines and also takes care of their education and extra-curricular activities.‘We have dance and music teachers visiting the children every week. We also get Art of Living classes conducted time to time,’ said Virk, adding the entire sum of Rs.150,000 per month needed to run the home is contributed by a band of 50 patrons.

What is unique about the shelter home is it is also managed by HIV positive women, who sort of become ‘mothers’ to similarly-affected children — a project where care-givers themselves are patients. ‘Hiring an HIV-positive person was definitely a challenge due to the still prevailing social stigma and unawareness about the disease. But I had full faith in Anuradha’s capabilities and her experience with the hospital came as a huge help,’ Virk, 57, told IANS. 

The unique shelter house has five neatly decorated large rooms occupied by five children each, apart from a study room and a library. The five caregivers also live on the premises. The children go to Rawat Public School, which fully supports Virk. ‘We had been to a state government orphanage once and saw that the people there were reluctant to admit a kid who was HIV positive. That very day I and my friend decided that we will open one such place where we will have only HIV-positive children,’ said Virk, who given up his job effective Oct 1 to devote his full time to the home.

According to latest figures from National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), a 57 percent drop has been recorded in number of new HIV infections in India during the past one decade. The NACO report, released by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Friday, also says nearly 1.5 lakh lives have been saved due to free ART medicines provided to HIV/AIDS patients.

India has demonstrated an overall reduction of 57 percent in estimated annual new HIV infections (among adult population) from 2.74 lakh in 2000 to 1.16 lakh in 2011, said a NACO report released Friday.

‘Major contribution to this reduction comes from the high prevalence states where a reduction of 76 percent has been noted during the same period. However, rising trends of new infections are noted in the some of the low prevalence states,’ the report said.

‘The latest round of HIV Sentinel Surveillance was completed in 2011. The data generated there has been used for estimation of HIV burden and projection of HIV epidemic trends in the country,’ a statement said.

‘The HIV estimations 2012 indicate an overall continuing reduction in adult HIV prevalence, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in India.’

The report, released on the eve of World AIDS Day, says adult HIV prevalence at national level has continued its steady decline from estimated level of 0.41 percent in 2001 through 0.35 percent in 2006 to 0.27 percent in 2011

The estimated number of people living with HIV was 20,88,642 in 2011, the report said. It is estimated that about 1.48 lakh people died of AIDS related causes in 2011 in India. Deaths among HIV infected children account for 7 percent of all AIDS-related deaths.

It is estimated that around 1.16 lakh new HIV infections among adults and around 14,500 new infections among children occurred during 2011.

Also read: Together we can end it

Source: IANS