Dean of Biruni University Faculty of Medicine Our interview with Prof.Dr.Dilek Sema Arıcı on ‘HIV’

HIV remains a major public health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Seperation, inequality and disrespect for human rights have contributed to HIV becoming a global health crisis. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a disease caused by HIV. HIV targets the immune system and affects the body’s defense system and makes it vulnerable to infections and some types of cancer. December 1 has been declared as World AIDS Day in order to draw attention to the efforts of the World Health Organization against HIV infections and AIDS.

The 2022 theme for World AIDS Day on 1 December is “Equalize”. WHO is calling on global leaders and citizens to boldly recognize and address the inequities that impede progress in ending AIDS and access to essential HIV services, especially for children and target populations. Today, HIV infection is accompanied by life-threatening opportunistic infections, including access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care services, have become a manageable chronic disease and patients can now live long, quality and healthy lives. AIDS is a high level of immune system damage caused by HIV at which it is vulnerable to infections and cancers and is life-threatening. HIV infection is not always a disease that leads to AIDS. With regular medication, average life expectancy of individuals living with HIV is brought closer to the life expectancy of healthy individuals. The first condition for this is to start treatment as early as possible. For early diagnosis and treatment, it is recommended to get tested immediately in cases of suspected risk and to consult a doctor. Consultation should not be hesitated. Also, increasing social awareness is of great importance to ensure early diagnosis and prevention to reduce the number of new cases. In addition, in order to reduce the number of new cases, public information and raising the awareness on the subject; updating the relevant information in the formal and non-formal education curricula and campaigns through written-visual documents will be our most important helpers in the fight against HIV/AIDS.