Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed

Today Sunday 01 December is World AIDS Day 2024. As every time in Bangladesh, proper initiative has been taken to celebrate the day. World AIDS Day is an international day. Since 1988, the day has been chosen on December 1 every year. The day has been chosen to raise awareness against the spread of the AIDS epidemic due to HIV infection and to mourn those who have died from the disease. Government and health officials, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world observe this day to raise awareness about AIDS prevention and control.

> Place of origin of AIDS virus:-
Three decades after the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), UK researchers claim to have found its origin.
* Oxford University researchers claim that after more than 750 million people have been infected in the last 30 years, it has finally been possible to identify exactly where the HIV virus came from.
* Researchers said that evidence of the first HIV spread was found in Kinshasa, the capital of the Belgian Congo in Africa, around 1920.
* They claimed to get this evidence by analyzing the genetics of thousands of people. The Central African country of Belgian Congo was under the colonial rule of the Belgians from 1908 to 1960. Researchers claim that HIV spread to Central Africa through the railway network from here.
* Researchers say, 'The deadly AIDS originated from a colonial city. Present-day Kinshasa, then known as Leopoldville, later became the largest urban area in Central Africa. Here the meat of wild animals collected from the nearby forests was famous.
* 30 years after the discovery of the HIV-1 virus, the cause of large-scale HIV transmission in humans remains unknown, Oxford researchers claim. Analysis of data on HIV-1 in Central Africa shows that the virus originated in Kinshasa around 1920. Social change and communication systems have played a role in the widespread spread among people.
* Researchers say that this information has been made possible by analyzing the genetics of the HIV virus in a new way. Thirteen cases of virus transmission from chimpanzees, gorillas and monkeys have been documented. But there is evidence that the M group of HIV-1 is more prevalent in humans. Group 'M' and another group 'O' of the HIV-1 virus increased at the same rate until 1960, but later the M group tripled. This may be due to increased rates of multiple needle use and access to sex workers.
* Researcher Oliver Pybus said in this context, 'We analyze all available evidence in a phylogeographic manner for the first time. In this, it is possible to predict where the virus came from based on statistics. This means that it is possible to say with certainty the origin of the virus.
* Researcher Nuno Faria said in this context, Kinsasa was moving fast at that time. As the largest city in Central Africa, it was connected to the entire Congo. Analyzing the data from the colonial period, it can be seen that by the end of 1940, more than 1 million people traveled by rail to Kinshasa every year. Analyzing the genetic information, it can be seen that HIV spread rapidly in the Congo. At present, about 34 million people in the world are infected with AIDS. On average, 5,500 people are infected with AIDS every day. So far about 35 million people have died of this deadly disease.
According to Worldometers, 4 crore 41 lakh 36 thousand 134 people are infected with HIV in the world. 15 lakh 40 thousand 69 people have died in the world due to this deadly virus. The number of infected in Bangladesh is about 14 thousand. So far, 76 percent of the 8,732 people identified in the country have received treatment

HIV infection is relatively low in Bangladesh. However, there is a risk of infection due to geographic location. Because its infection is more in the bordering countries. In addition to intravenous drug users, the risk of HIV infection is high among sex workers, transgender people and homosexuals in the country. Lack of awareness about HIV increases the risk of infection.

According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 28.5 percent of women in the country are unaware of AIDS. However, 71.5 percent of women are aware of at least one AIDS carrier. 36 percent of women are aware of all carriers. Five years ago the rate was 29 percent. That is, the awareness rate among women about carriers has increased by 7 percent. Although the government had planned to increase 8-10 percent.

According to the Department of Health, out of 729 newly infected people in the country last year, 420 were men, 210 were women and 12 were from the third gender. In the last one year, 186 (26) of the general population, 188 (26) Rohingyas, 144 (20) expatriates and their family members, 61 (8) intravenous drug users, female sex workers 17 (2%), homosexuals 67 (9%), male sex workers 53 (7%) and transgender 13 (2%)are thereThe first AIDS patient was diagnosed in Bangladesh in 1989. The first person identified is still alive and well. He is in regular contact with HIV treatment programs. Among those infected are male and female sex workers, homosexuals, people with tuberculosis, migrant workers, mothers coming to the hospital for delivery services and Rohingya. 33 percent of the victims are common people.

> What is the significance of this day?

AIDS is a disease that people are still ashamed to talk about openly. AIDS is not only caused by sexual intercourse, but if a wound is caused by a sharp object anywhere on your body, this disease can also develop from that wound. There are some superstitions among people about this disease, due to which there is no way to get rid of this disease. This day is observed to fight this disease together.

> Why is AIDS?
Apart from sexual intercourse, there are many reasons for becoming HIV positive. A retrovirus called 'Human Immunodeficiency Virus' (HIV) is responsible for AIDS. The virus survives only in human blood and other bodily fluids.
Spread from the patient's body to others through blood and semen. This disease is considered as a 'sexually transmitted disease' because it is transmitted through semen. This virus reduces the immune system once it enters the body. The body cannot stop even a cold. As a result, death due to the effects of 'acquired immunodeficiency syndrome' or AIDS became certain.

However, there is no end to the efforts of medical science to save those infected with HIV. One study after another is going on.

> How does AIDS spread?

1. If a man or woman has this virus in their body, this retrovirus can easily enter the other person's body as a result of sexual intercourse.

2. There is no chance of contracting HIV by using condoms. Because you can be in danger if the condom leaks during sex with an infected person.

3. If new syringes and needles are not used when injecting, the virus can quickly enter the body of others.

4. A child born to a mother with AIDS can also develop AIDS. The virus enters the baby's body through breastfeeding. According to UNICEF statistics, every 2 minutes a child is diagnosed with AIDS in the world.

5. With some modern medicines, the life of the patient with this disease can be extended for some time, but all those treatment methods are not at all within the reach of the middle class.

6. Injecting syringes, various surgical instruments inserted into the body of an HIV-infected person can spread the disease if they are mistakenly used in the body of a healthy person.

7. The virus can spread from saliva and fluid from wounds on the gums and body of people infected with HIV.

> Symptoms of AIDS:-
* Fever * Headache * Rash
* Muscle or joint pain * Sore throat
* Swollen glands * Fatigue * Diarrhea * Weight loss * Fungal infection may be, * Rapid weight loss. * Dry cough. * Frequent fever. * Profuse sweats at night.* Constant and inexplicable weakness. * Swelling of lymph nodes in some places. * If you have diarrhea for more than a week. Exceptionally, any spots appear on the tongue or inside the mouth. * Gradual loss of memory and depression. HIV AIDS may be present in the patient's body even without physical symptoms.

> What to do to prevent AIDS:-
Key components of HIV prevention are education, awareness, proper knowledge and understanding of risk levels. Positive change in people's thinking and behavior is very important.
Adhering to religious practices is one of the ways to prevent AIDS. Religious and social norms should be followed in sexual relations. Premarital sex should be avoided. Multiple sexual partners should be avoided.
Uninfected people can stay free from HIV infection by practicing safe sex. Regular and proper intercourse without a condom should be avoided. Abstaining from free and illegal sexual activity is the best way to stay free from HIV infection. For people who take drugs by injection, the best way is not to take drugs by injection. If this is not possible, the use of reusable needles, syringes, blades or other instruments with an HIV-infected patient should be avoided.
Single-use sterile needles and syringes should be used.
If it is necessary to receive blood or organs, the body must be tested to ensure that the blood or organs contain HIV.
Having sexually transmitted or reproductive tract infections increases the risk of contracting HIV. So if someone has a venereal disease or reproductive system infection, it should be treated quickly.
There is a high risk of HIV infection from a mother to her child. However, in the case of mothers who receive the necessary therapy, the risk of the unborn child being affected is 85 percent.
Prevention information should be conveyed to the public with the help of various media to increase public awareness.
> AIDS care

We know the consequences of the deadly AIDS. A person with AIDS does not infect others very easily and does not lose his function as soon as he is infected. So we should be careful not to isolate the person with AIDS from our society. He should be encouraged to lead a normal life. So our duty to them will be:

1) Treating AIDS patients with sincerity and cordiality,

2) Trying to keep them mentally cheerful and caring for them,

3) Giving them equal opportunities like everyone else,

4) Not depriving HIV positive people of daily activities,

5) Family and other members of the society to arrange their necessary treatment.

> When to go to the doctor

If AIDS or HIV is caught in the early stages, symptoms can be alleviated with treatment. Apart from that, if the disease is caught, the risk of spreading the disease to others without knowing it also decreases. Know some suspicious symptoms.

Fever for more than 10 days.

Prolonged diarrhea.

Fungal infection of the mouth or cervix (thick, whitish coating in the mouth or tongue or whitish discharge from the cervix and itching of the cervix).

Sores in the mouth, throat, genitals, or anus.

Several types of infection (ie often fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhea) followed shortly after.

Weight loss for no reason.

Lumpy, swollen lump in neck or groin.

Bleeding from any part of the body for no reason (patches of bleeding under the skin) or a red rash on the skin (rashes without itching).

Excessive tiredness all the time for no reason.

If any of these occur, a doctor must be consulted.

> Homeo Remedies:-The patient is treated not the disease-Position of Homeopathy on AIDS:-As we know, HIV transmission occurs through blood, semen, vaginal or cervical discharge and mother's milk. It may not show any symptoms in the early stages. However, acute retroviral syndrome can occur. Clinical stage-1, the symptoms are not so evident; But the lymph nodes may remain swollen for a long time, especially the inguinal lymph nodes. Clinical stage-2, in which weight loss occurs. Recurrent sinusitis, tonsillitis, otitis media and pharyngitis may occur. At this stage, herpes zoster, mouth sores and fungal infections of nails can occur. Clinical stage-3, where weight loss continues. May have diarrhea for more than a month. There may be constant fever. Mouth sores persist. Tuberculosis can occur in the lungs. Or pneumonia, empyema and joint pain may occur. Symptoms of anemia and neutropenia are also seen at this time. Clinical stage-4, pneumocystitis pneumonia or recurrent bacterial pneumonia may occur. Apart from this, lymphoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, invasive cervical carcinoma can also occur at this stage. Chronic diarrhea is a daily companion of such patients. These described symptoms apply to elderly patients. Many other symptoms are found in such patients.
* AIDS and homeopathic treatment HIV or AIDS is a chronic disease. Clinical studies conducted by the Government of India since 1989 have shown that homeopathy medicines are effective for HIV or AIDS patients. Research paper published by the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy under the Ministry of Health, Government of India
HIV/AIDS and Homeopathic Management, a beacon of hope for the whole world. Clinical studies of 22 homeopathic medicines are included in the research book. We hope that our government will open the doors of homeopathy medicine for HIV or AIDS patients in Bangladesh by taking guidance from such research papers, so that patients can get effective results of homeopathy medicine. And the homeopathic medicine that is effective in treating most of the patients during the epidemic of any disease, there is a great opportunity for government research on the safe natural system that homeopathy has to prevent this disease by applying it to healthy peopleThe development of homeopathy will be achieved if the medicines which are already stored in the homeopathic stock for new diseases like corona, dengue swine flu are verified through government initiative research.

Finally, I would like to say, establishing testing centers in every district to prevent the transmission of AIDS patients; ensuring HIV treatment in public hospitals among intravenous drug users, sex workers, third gender and homosexuals; Adopting various programs including removing the prejudices, misconceptions and discrimination among the common people about the victimshave to doSo people have to take more precautions to avoid contracting AIDS.

The writer is a Founder and Chairman, Jatiya Rogi Kallyan Society Physician, columnist and researcher