World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is celebrated around the world on December 1st. The date is aimed at informing the public about the disease that has claimed the lives of 40 million people since 1981. Also today people gather to honor their memory. The pandemic continues, so each of us should know about its existence!

History

The holiday was first celebrated in 1988. It happened shortly before the virus was discovered: in 1983 the French biologist Luc Montagnier classified the human immune deficiency virus. Then scientists from all over the world began to study it. They found that after the virus falls into the blood, T-lymphocytes are damaged. Their reduction is one of the main indicators of the development of the disease: the virus behaves asymptomatically at the first stages, showing strength after serious destruction, when the body cannot cope with even a minor infection.

No one gave an exact answer where the illness came from. The most popular theory is that humans got infected from monkeys. This probably happened in West Africa – chimpanzees here are carriers of the virus. An animal could have bitten a person or the virus got into the bloodstream by cutting the carcass. By the way, despite the fact that everyone has heard about AIDS, myths are being spread about it that people believe in. For example, that it is easy to get infected through a handshake, an insect bite, water or food.

Interesting facts

Did you know that AIDS:

• instantly dies outside the human body – it is as unstable as possible;
• not treated, at the moment no method has been found to remove all viral particles;
• can become chronic – when taking therapy, a person lives a long and fulfilling life;
• most often infected through unprotected sexual contact;
• allows you to start families and give birth to healthy children.

How to celebrate

Learn more about the disease – there really is a lot of false information in the world that is confusing. Communicate with infected people, learn about their well-being and listen to stories from life. Put on a red ribbon in solidarity! Many organizations are fighting AIDS every day – make a donation to a good cause.

When is World AIDS Day celebrated in 2022?

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 each year.

Observations