Bihar ranks third in new HIV infections

Bihar ranks third in new HIV infections

Part of: GS-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context: Bihar ranks third in the country, after Maharashtra and UP, in new HIV infections every year, despite a 27% reduction in new infection rate from 2010. 

• With 1.34 lakh infected, Bihar accounted for nearly 5.77% of India’s 23.19 lakh people living with HIV/AIDS.

• With 0.17% PLHIV prevalence rate (the number of people testing positive for HIV/AIDS out of a population of 100), the state, however, fared better than the national average of 0.22%, as it strode towards the national goal to eliminate the public threat of the disease by 2030.

About HIV

• 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.