World wide, each week about 4,900 younger girls aged between 15 and 24 turn out to be contaminated with HIV.
Annually, on December 1, the world commemorates World AIDS Day.
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a continual and probably life-threatening situation attributable to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
HIV assaults the immune system, weakening it to the purpose the place it can not battle infections.
In response to UNAIDS, in 2021, some 1.5 million individuals grew to become newly contaminated with HIV, bringing the overall variety of individuals residing with HIV to 38.4 million.
International AIDS-related deaths
HIV/AIDS has killed as much as 40.1 million individuals and contaminated 84.2 million over the previous 40 years.
In 2021, some 650,000 individuals died from AIDS-related sicknesses, down 68 p.c from its peak of two million deaths in 2004.
Since 2010, new HIV infections have declined by 32 p.c, from 2.2 million to 1.5 million in 2021.
Amongst youngsters, new HIV infections have dropped by 52 p.c, from 320,000 in 2010 to 160,000 in 2021.
About 5.9 million individuals worldwide weren’t conscious of their HIV standing in 2021.
Whereas there may be nonetheless no remedy for the epidemic, there are lots of efficient HIV prevention, therapy and care choices that may improve the standard of life.
HIV infections by age and gender
In response to the UNAIDS report, Harmful inequalities: World AIDS Day report 2022, each two minutes, an adolescent woman or younger girl aged 15-24 acquired HIV in 2021.
AIDS-related causes stay the third-leading explanation for dying globally for girls aged 15 to 49 years and the fourth-leading explanation for dying amongst youthful girls (aged 15 to 29 years).
In sub-Saharan Africa, six in seven new HIV infections amongst adolescents aged 15–19 years are amongst ladies. Ladies and younger girls aged 15–24 years are twice as prone to be residing with HIV than younger males.
Prevention and therapy choices
UNAIDS has really helpful a spread of instruments and coverings to deal with HIV.
Intercourse Schooling
Intercourse schooling is important for younger individuals to know methods to maintain themselves secure from sexually transmitted illnesses (like HIV) and keep away from unplanned pregnancies.
Entry to antiretroviral remedy
In 2021, no less than 28.7 million individuals acquired entry to antiretroviral remedy (ART) – a therapy that reduces the quantity of HIV within the blood.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP)
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) entails taking antiretroviral remedy previous to potential publicity to HIV. UNAIDS says this has been efficient throughout all populations.
Insurance policies for male circumcision
In international locations the place there are excessive charges of HIV transmission, voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) can assist cut back transmission.