World AIDS Day, held annually on December 1, is an international event created to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and to show support for those infected by this virus, and to honor those who have died from the infection.
The day further urges governments, health organisations, and communities to come together and fight the stigma faced by so many patients.
The main purpose of World AIDS Day is to spread the right information, encourage early testing, and remind the world that HIV remains one of the major public health challenges, although its treatment has improved a lot in these years.
How Many People Survive with AIDS?
No longer a death sentence, thanks to modern medicine, people living with HIV can lead long and healthy lives with the proper treatment.
Today, more than 75 out of 100 people (over 75%) who get regular treatment survive long-term and live near-normal lifespans.
Life expectancy is significantly increased when treatment is initiated early.
However, millions remain undiagnosed or are unable to access medical treatment, which raises the importance of awareness and testing to a great extent.
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Common Symptoms of AIDS
When HIV becomes AIDS, symptoms can worsen and may include:
- Continuous fever or night sweats
- Extreme tiredness or weight loss
- Frequent infections
- Skin rashes
- Persistent cough
- Mouth ulcers
- Weak immunity
- Chronic diarrhoea
HIV/AIDS Awareness Programs
Across the world, various organizations carry out awareness campaigns on this day, including:
- Free HIV testing camps
- Workshops in schools and colleges
- Social-media campaigns regarding prevention and safe practices
- Free counseling programs for patients
- Distribution of educational material in rural and urban areas
- Red Ribbon movements to fight stigma
- Community events – initiatives supporting people living with HIV
10 Major Diseases That Can Not Be Cured Like AIDS
Even today, science has not found cures for several serious diseases. Many can be controlled or slowed down, but not completely cured.
1. HIV/AIDS: Can be controlled by lifelong medication, but are not cured.
2. Alzheimer’s Disease: A brain disorder causing memory loss and confusion; no cure yet.
3. Parkinson’s Disease: A chronic movement disorder, treatment helps but cannot cure.
4. Type 1 Diabetes: Requires lifelong insulin therapy; no permanent cure.
5. Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Treatments slow the progression, but do not cure it.
6. Rheumatoid Arthritis: A lifetime autoimmune disease; treatable but not curable.
7. Lupus: A chronic and autoimmune condition without a permanent cure.
8. Cystic Fibrosis: Genetic disorder that affects lungs and digestion; has no cure yet.
9. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): A progressive nerve disease with no known cure.
10. End-stage chronic renal failure Requires dialysis or transplant, otherwise incurable.
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