HIV Self-Testing
Context:
Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Translational Virology and AIDS Research (ICMR-NITVAR) and the Mizoram University have brought in a study about the effectiveness of HIV self-testing solution
Relevance:
GS-02 (Health)
Key Highlights of the Study:
- HIV Prevalence in Mizoram: The state of Mizoram has the highest HIV prevalence rate in India, at 2.73%, which is approximately 13 times the national average. The epidemic is primarily driven by injecting drug use and commercial sex work.
- Challenges to HIV Detection: The study identifies a lack of early testing and the persistent stigma around HIV as key barriers preventing timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Self-Testing as an Effective Solution: HIV self-testing, where individuals collect their own blood or saliva samples and interpret results via a test kit, was found to be more convenient and effective for high-risk groups. It provides a confidential, stigma-free way to determine HIV status, making it a promising alternative to traditional HIV testing campaigns.
- Global Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed HIV self-testing since 2016. To date, 41 countries have implemented self-testing programs, though India has yet to formalize national guidelines for HIV self-testing.
About HIV and Its Impact:
- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the immune system by targeting CD4 cells, which are crucial for immune defense. If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), rendering the body vulnerable to various infections and cancers.
- Modes of Transmission: HIV spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex, sharing of needles, or unsafe blood transfusions. Casual contact does not spread the virus.
- Symptoms and stages of HIV:
- Early Stage: Fever, rash, fatigue.
- Later Stage: Swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, diarrhea.
- Severe Stage: Tuberculosis, meningitis, and cancers like lymphoma.
- Risk Factors for HIV:
- Having multiple sexual partners or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Unsafe blood transfusions or sharing of needles.
- Diagnosis and Testing:
- Rapid diagnostic tests and self-testing kits offer the advantage of providing same-day results.
- Confirmatory virological tests are used to verify diagnosis.
- Prevention Measures:
- Regular HIV testing, STI screening, and using sterilized needles for tattoos.
- Ensuring safe blood transfusions and practicing safe sex are critical for preventing HIV transmission.
- Treatment of HIV: Although there is no cure for HIV, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) helps control the virus. ART must be taken daily for life to maintain health and prevent the progression to AIDS.
- Advanced HIV Disease (AHD): WHO defines AHD as having a CD4 count of less than 200 cells/mm³. Individuals with AHD are at a higher risk of death, even after starting ART.
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