Saving lives from HIV starts with early testing
Do you remember the Bollywood movie that highlights how the main protagonist’s world turns upside down when she is tested HIV positive? Not surprisingly, the movie wasn’t a box-office success for treading the forbidden path. HIV and AIDS still continue to be shadowed by societal stigma. This World AIDS Day, Transasia does a reality check on the prevalence of the infection and re-emphasizes the need for early diagnosis. HIV and AIDS Most people confuse HIV and AIDS. While HIV is the virus that attacks the immune system; AIDS, also known as late stage HIV, is a set of symptoms that are manifested due to an immune system seriously damaged by HIV. Though there is no cure for HIV, early diagnosis can aid in timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy that can stop the virus from damaging the immune system. An HIV patient who has received timely treatment can live a normal and long life without progressing to late stage HIV. Arresting the infection early on! H...