Importance of World AIDS Day

Introduction

In 1981, 31 severely immunosuppressed cases with Pneumocystis carnii Pneumonia (PCP), and Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) were admitted to hospitals in Los Angeles and New York. Dr. Michael Gotilieb, a public health officer inquired all the 31 patients in detail to understand the reason for their severe immunodeficiency. He observed that all these patients were in different jails of United States of America for more than 10 years as prisoners, were practicing homosexuality, and they were taking intravenous drug Amyl nitrate. Since all these 31 patients were homosexuals (Gay), Dr. Michael Gotilieb named this new disease as “Gay Related Immuno Deficiency (GRID)”.¹

Hemophilic children visiting the same hospitals for blood transfusion also developed severe immunodeficiency and PCP infection. The scientists observed the suffering of these very young hemophilic children and suspected this new disease of hemophiliacs to be a hospital acquired infection, caused by a microbe.

Discovery of causative agent

In 1983, Dr. Luc Montagnier, the Director of Louis Pasteur Institute of Paris, discovered AIDS-causing virus.² He examined all the patients and all of them had enlarged lymph nodes. He collected the lymph and examined under electron microscope. He observed a virus and named it as ‘Lymph node-Associated Virus (LAV)’. In 1984, Dr. Robert Gallo observed that this newly discovered virus multiplies in human T lymphocytes. Hence, he named this new virus as “Human T Lymphocyte Virus – III (HTLV-III)”. HTLV-I and HTLV-II were already described as the causative agents of leukemia. In 1986, International Committee for Nomenclature of Viruses studied this new virus, and concluded that, “LAV” and “HTLV-III” are the same virus causing immunodeficiency in humans. They compared other RNA viruses causing immunodeficiency in primates which is called Siemen Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV), and in canines called Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

As this new virus is causing immunodeficiency in humans, International Committee for Nomenclature of Viruses named this virus as “Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)”. HIV causes the diseases called “Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)”. In 1986, people in Senegal town (West Africa), started losing weight and became emaciated. Initially, it was called as “SLIM disease”.³ Dr. Luc Montagnier who visited the town to attend a function, examined all the patients carefully and discovered that blood of African Green Monkey (AGM) was given to humans. Dr. Luc Montagnier examined the blood of AGM, and found the same type of RNA virus with a little change. He called it HIV-2 in 1986. HIV discovered in 1983 was called as HIV-1. Dr. Luc Montagnier discovered HIV-1 in American chimpanzees.⁴

World AIDS Day (WAD)

Initially AIDS was seen in high risk promiscuous people who often changed their sexual partners, or in IV drug users, and blood, organ transplantation patients. Later the infection spread to everyone. HIV/AIDS was first reported in early 1980s, and by 1988, the disease spread to all the continents, all nations, states, districts, and to all villages. Many celebrities suffered, were isolated, many had fear of this disease. Any lesion seen on genitalia was equated to HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Jonathan Mann felt the need to educate people all over the world about this new disease, on how to protect themselves from this disease, and on the treatment options available. He wanted one day in a year to be devoted by WHO members to educate common people. He opined that this particular day should be: 1) easy to remember, 2) should be convenient to everyone, and 3) none of the nations should have their important national days to coincide. All over the world, WHO members felt that, “1st December” would be easy to remember and none of Nation’s days were coinciding. Therefore, from the year 1988, World AIDS Day is observed all over the World on 1st December. Health professionals organize symposium, conferences, and health education activities to bring awareness among people. Every year a new slogan is announced, and health professionals start their health education activities with that slogan. Each year, WHO changes the slogan according to the need of the year and new research information available.

Conclusion

Each year, on the 1st of December, the World commemorates “World AIDS Day”. People around the world unite to show support for those living with HIV and AIDS, and to remember those died due to AIDS related illnesses. Each WAD focuses on a specific theme, with United Nation Agencies, Government and Civil Societies joining together to campaign around a specific theme related to HIV. WAD is also a day to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, and try to find a cure. These awareness programs have helped to increase the practice of safe sex and as a result, prevalence of HIV has been declining. As HIV spreads like a wildfire, the awareness about the disease and its prevention has also increased. People all over the world were alarmed with the spread of this prosodemic, focused on the preventive measures. Thus the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is witnessing a downward trend.

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Conflict of interest

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