According to a survey conducted in the United States, it states that about 36.7 million people in the world are currently suffering from AIDS. Although, now everyone is educated about AIDS, how it spreads, and its side effects. We expect them to behave accordingly.
Yet, people still ought to believe in superstitions brought up by their ancestors in the past and treat these poor sufferers badly.
These patients may be already depressed upon being affected by this illness and on top of that, they are mistreated by denying them social support when they need it the most.
What can be more depressing? In such situations, what a person needs the most is emotional and social support. As it’s rightly said that good mental health is crucial for good physical health.
How does AIDS spread?
AIDS (autoimmune deficiency syndrome) is caused by HIV( human immunodeficiency virus) which interferes with the immune activity of our body gradually leading to a weak immune system making it prone to several diseases.
HIV spreads through bodily fluids like infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or mother milk.
How can it be prevented?
It’s mostly seen in people having multiple sex partners. So it’s precautioned to restrict to one sexual partner and to have sex safe. In hospital settings, it’s advised to use a separate new pair of disinfected syringes for every new patient.
Treatment
No specific cure is discovered right now but antiretroviral regimens do the job. They delay the progress of this disease to a great extent.
Myths in India
- HIV is a curse
For ages, Indians particularly the villagers have been enthusiastic about treating these poor souls as cursed by God himself for some sin they had committed in their past.
These patients are deprived of social contact. In some areas, this issue is so critical that they are not even allowed to leave their houses.
- They are treated as untouchables
As you read the above point, these patients are deprived of basic social contact. They aren’t even allowed to go to the market for basic purchases. They gradually develop depression.
People have this mindset that even if they touch them, they will catch this infection so they maintain huge distances and ensure that they or their loved ones never go near them.
Whereas the reality is that a simple touch can never earn you this illness. This spreads through body fluid diffusions.
- It’s a death sentence
The moment you get to know that you are affected by AIDS, it’s nothing less than a nightmare. The thought of death haunts you.
Everybody suddenly starts showering you with sympathy which is all the scarier like your life is going to end tonight.
Whereas this also is not the reality. Many recover from this or their life span is increased by antiretroviral drug therapies.
- She is a slut or a sex worker
As you read that the precaution itself is to avoid multiple sex partners. People associate this with those suffering from AIDS. They think this happened because of their own deeds and it is they who have to be blamed.
But no, it may not always be the reality. These types of mishaps can happen in a hospital setting where injections are not properly disinfected for every new patient.
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