HIV/AIDS is a Global problem that is posing a serious threat to humanity ever lived on this earth. It is an extra ordinary challenge to almost all categories of people. AIDS is a complex syndrome of disease, which manifests in the deterioration of human immune system. AIDS is unique in the sense that things keep emerging and nothing is final about it. The HIV virus has the power of wiping out entire continents if preventive steps are not taken in time. It seems that Africa is already being decimated by AIDS. According to report, the rich were buying up property in Africa hoping that the local populations will soon be destroyed. A situation is likely to develop in which poor countries lacking education and even primary medical facilities would be the worst victims of AIDS, while the developed countries were well prepared to deal with this alarming disease.
The first case of HIV was identified in the year 1981. In 1983, a team of French scientist extracted a new virus from two patients with glandular fever-like illness that often happens to people before they develop AIDS. The scientist called this virus ‘LAV’ (lymphadenopathy-associated virus). A year later, a group of American scientists discovered a very similar virus in many AIDS patients, which they called HTLV3. Most AIDS patients had this virus and majority of them were either homosexuals, or drug users or hemophiliacs as they are found to be mostly through, unsafe sexual intercourse, use of contaminated needles or transfusion of infected blood. It is believed that at least two different viruses can cause AIDS, although it is possible to be infected by either of the virus without having AIDS itself. One can be an AIDS virus carrier but the person may not be suffering from AIDS itself. The LAV/HTLV-3 (Human T lymphocyte) virus is now called human immunodeficiency virus or HIV-1. It is often referred to simply as AIDS virus.
Globally we swank about the potency and growth of human race and the advancement of science and medicine, but, we appear to be quite helpless in front of HIV. HIV/AIDS is a complex issue that brings social realities like poverty, ignorance, gender discrimination and inequality. It is now estimated to be above 40 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the world.
In India, the first case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection was detected in Chennai in the year 1986. During the same year, the first AIDS case was also reported from Mumbai. It is believed that the patient got infected in USA. Since then large number of HIV/AIDS cases have been reported from all over the country and the rate of infection is increasing at an alarming rate to reach 5.17 million people by September 2006, with an adult prevalence rate of 0.9 %. Although India is still considered as a low prevalence country, the absolute number of its current HIV cases places India as the second, next to South Africa. The HIV infection is spreading not only among the ‘high risk behavior’ persons but also among the general population.
In Nagaland an estimated number of 328 deaths (since 1994 to August 2006) have been reported, 1183 are AIDS infected and a total of 3928 HIV positive. Lamentably Nagaland has reached the second highest prevalent state in the country with the rate 1.5 %. The major route of transmission of infection is sexual. Sexual practices being a very personal and private affair of humans, ways of implementing preventive measures have limitations. Promotion of condoms use is apparently aimed as breakthrough success in prevention. True, it has achieved a certain success. The moral and social issues involved in this have not been addressed too well. Therefore we are still far away from, even a near total prevention.
HIV/AIDS in family members is a shocking and embarrassing issue for all, as it is related to be a very personal and private matter. The reality is that sigma and discrimination continue to stop people from having an HIV test. The condition under which people undergo HIV testing must be anchored in human rights approach which protects their rights and pays due respect to ethical principles. The testing of HIV must be confidential, be accompanied by counseling, and only be conducted with informed consent, Meaning that it is both informed and voluntary.
Misconception regarding HIV/AIDS still continues even among the educated masses, and as such, there is acute necessity to generate some change in the attitude and perception of the family members as well as among the society members, because, family’s perception and attitude is more or less influenced and shaped by the society’s perception. Keeping this in view, social scientists can continue their mission to comprehend the social, psychological, economical and socio-culture dimensions behind HIV/AIDS and thereby pave a new track in solving the root of the problem. “Those suffering from HIV/AIDS must be provided with complete care and shown full respect, and be given every possible physical, moral and spiritual assistance, and indeed treated in a way worthy of Christ himself”-Pope John Paul-II
N. Longshio Yanthan
Shalom Rehab Centre
Chumukedima
