World AIDS Day 2020

World AIDS Day 2020

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health

In news

• The World AIDS Day is observed on 1st December every year all over the world.

Key takeaways

• It was founded in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Theme for 2020: “Global solidarity, resilient HIV services.”
• In 2019, 6,90,000 people died from HIV-related causes and 1.7 million people were newly infected, with nearly 62% of these new infections occurring among key populations and their partners.

Important value addition

• AIDS is a pandemic disease caused by the infection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which damages the human immune system.
• It is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition.
• By damaging immune system, HIV interferes with the body’s ability to fight infection and disease.
• The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids.
• AIDS symptoms include weight loss, fever or night sweats, fatigue and recurrent infections.
• No cure exists for AIDS.
• Strict adherence to antiretroviral regimens (ARVs) can slow the disease’s progress and prevent secondary infections and complications.