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FAQs on AIDS Answered by Dr. Pujari

How severe is the problem of AIDS?
AIDS has emerged into a global health problem of extraordinary scope and unprecedented emergency. It is estimated that 33.6 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the world today. Everyday 16,000 new infections are occurring, 1500 in children alone. The majority of infections are concentrated in the age group of 15–40 years. Hence AIDS is a disease which predominantly affects the young population.
The AIDS Clock: Everyday 16,000 new infections are occurring globally.

What is the AIDS situation in India?
India is supposed to harbor the largest number of HIV infected individuals in the world. Currently it is estimated that 3–4 million people in India are carrying the AIDS virus. The spread of HIV infection in India has been extremely rapid.

When was AIDS first discovered?
In 1981, few homosexuals in the USA presented with unusual cancers and pneumonia’s that were indicative of a defect in their immune system. Initially these symptoms were restricted only amongst the homosexual population. However, later these conditions were also seen amongst intravenous drug users (IVDUs) and people who needed repeated blood transfusions e.g. hemophiliacs. This peculiar constellation of signs and symptoms associated with the defect in the immune system was defined as AIDS. Subsequently the causative organism of AIDS i.e. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was discovered.

When and how was HIV discovered?
In 1983, French scientists isolated a virus from the lymph nodes of homosexual men. They called it Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus (LAV). Simultaneously scientists in the USA discovered a virus from the cells of individuals with AIDS. They called it HTLV III. Subsequently it was found that both these viruses were similar and a common name i.e. HIV was accepted internationally.

How is HIV transmitted?
There are four documented modes of transmission of HIV:

Sexual transmission.
Transmission through contaminated blood.
Sharing of needles and syringes.
Mother to child transmission.

What is the major mode of transmission of HIV in India?
Heterosexual transmission is the major mode of transmission in India. However, in the North–eastern states sharing needles and syringes while injecting drugs is the predominant mode of acquisition of HIV.

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