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The
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic is rapidly progressing
among key populations at higher risk of infection, such as sex workers
especially male sex workers, drug users and homosexuals, truck drivers,
expatriated migrant workers and jail ...
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The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic is rapidly progressing among key populations at higher risk of infection, such as sex workers especially male sex workers, drug users and homosexuals, truck drivers, expatriated migrant workers and jail prisoners.
The epidemic is well established in Pakistan and can be defined as concentrated epidemic as the prevalence in traditional risk groups exceeds 5 per cent.
According to estimates, currently, the national average prevalence of HIV among Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs) is nearly 37.8 per cent and the number of people living with HIV in Pakistan is nearly 100,000. The most advanced stage of HIV infection, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has killed about 5,000 people in Pakistan so far.
Young people in Pakistan are more vulnerable to HIV in urban areas as they are sexually more active. In Pakistan many women get the disease from their husbands who had stayed abroad before coming to get married. There is a need of legislation to ensure that men contracting marriage are HIV free.
Head of Community Medicine at CMH Lahore Medical College Professor Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhry expressed this while talking to ‘The News’ in connection with World AIDS Day being observed on December 1 with an aim of raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The observance of the day provides an opportunity to express solidarity and support for those living with HIV/AIDS, and to ensure that pandemic is kept on the national and international agenda. The Red Ribbon is global symbol of solidarity with people living with HIV and AIDS.
Dr. Ashraf said that in 2013, World AIDS Day has the theme of “Getting to Zero: HIV and adolescents”. In 2013 campaign, the WHO is launching new guidelines, and a policy brief on HIV testing and counselling, treatment and care for adolescents living with HIV. Globally, adolescents who are members of key populations are also at higher risk for HIV through sexual transmission and injecting drug use, he said.
AIDS is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that infects cells of the human immune system, destroying or impairing their function. AIDS is also called “Slim Disease”.
Studies reveal that the symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infection. Though people living with HIV tend to be most infectious in the first few months, many are unaware of their status until later stages. In the early stages of infection, the person has no symptoms.
However, as the infection progresses, the immune system becomes weaker, and the individual can develop other signs and symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, diarrhoea and the more susceptible to so-called opportunistic infections like TB, neurological disorders and unusual cancers.
Diagnosis of HIV and AIDS is made on the symptoms, signs and blood tests. If someone has had a recent possible HIV exposure, retesting should be done after six weeks to confirm test results. Dr. Ashraf believes that testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is strongly advised for all people exposed to any of the risk factors so that they can learn of their own infection status and access necessary prevention and treatment services without delay.
He said that there are serious risk factors such as having unprotected anal or vaginal sex, low literacy rate especially among women, indiscriminate transfusion of unscreened blood, use of non-sterilized medical instruments, re-use of used syringes and needles, sharing contaminated needles and syringes, quackery, community dental clinics, street barbers, commercial sex, sex of men with men, labour migration, rising number of drug addicts, low condom use rates etc that put Pakistan in danger of facing a rapid spread of HIV if immediate and vigorous action is not taken.
To a query, he said it can take 10-15 years for an HIV-infected person to develop AIDS, the most advanced stage of HIV infection, which is the end-stage of HIV infection — usually a patient dies within six months. “There is no specific treatment of AIDS; however, antiretroviral drugs (ART) can slow down the progress and people with HIV can enjoy healthy and productive lives.”
Since there is no vaccine or no definite cure of AIDS, prevention of HIV infection is the only answer, said Dr. Ashraf while talking of the remedies. There is no single magic bullet for HIV prevention, but we can choose wisely from the known prevention options available, he said.
He added that individuals can reduce the risk of HIV infection by limiting exposure to risk factors. The recommendations include male circumcision, partner reduction, offering ART for the HIV positive partner, correct and constant use of condoms, and interventions targeting most at risk populations, also known as “Combined Prevention”. He added that post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with ARV drugs within 72 hours of exposure to HIV is often recommended for health-care workers following needle stick injuries in the workplace.
Dr. Ashraf said that prevention is everybody’s responsibility. AIDS is not solely a medical problem. Government should use all ways of communications for creating awareness on HIV and AIDS throughout the country.
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