World AIDS Day. dossier
The key event of the action was the student forum “Let's Stop AIDS Together,” which opened in the capital. According to the head of the Ministry of Health, Veronika Skvortsova, out of 37 million HIV-infected people, 900 thousand live in our country. And in order to overcome the disease, you need information, timely treatment and an understanding that this diagnosis is not a death sentence.
Everyone has heard about this virus. But does everyone know that they are not sick? Several hundred students from different universities and officials came to RUDN today to talk about HIV and how to stop it.
“If you find out that you are HIV positive, you may receive free treatment, the most modern drugs which are recommended by leading international structures. This treatment virtually reduces the viral load to zero, allowing people to live long and happily, so it is important to find out about infection as early as possible,” emphasized Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova.
“The All-Russian campaign “Stop HIV/AIDS” finds a lively response among young people. In literally every corner of our country, guys are posting the campaign hashtag #StopHIVAIDS, discussing with friends the importance of the problem and the need for testing. Today it is important to know about this problem. It is important to know in order to live,” said Svetlana Medvedeva, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the All-Russian Action “Stop HIV/AIDS”.
It is important to know: HIV is not a death sentence. By taking therapy, a person with the immunodeficiency virus can now live for decades without infecting their loved ones. Now not only doctors talk about this on the streets, in enterprises, organizing flash mobs, filming social videos and calling for people to take an HIV test, but also those who were personally affected by this, hoping that there will be fewer new cases of infection.
“There is a difference in attitude towards HIV infection among different generations. And, unfortunately, the stereotype that this is the lot of only risk groups still exists,” notes chief physician regional center prevention and treatment of HIV infection in Sverdlovsk region Angelika Podymova.
Scientists have not yet invented a vaccine against the immunodeficiency virus. And therefore, information remains the main weapon against this plague.
There is an opportunity for schoolchildren to ask questions that concern them about the immunodeficiency virus and learn more about it. For example, that HIV is not transmitted through a handshake, insect bites, shared utensils, or airborne droplets.
“They also very often ask whether this is really fatal disease, and some ask whether it really exists,” says Alevtina Kiseleva, a member of the All-Russian Medical Volunteers movement.
When Yura recently admitted that he had been living with HIV since birth, not all his friends and classmates believed him. But the young man says: he is tired of hearing that the immunodeficiency virus is a fiction. After all, the lives of HIV-positive people depend on whether they take therapy.
"As one guy said, 'I've never seen them.' I asked, “How would you react if you met such a person?” He replied: “I would run away,” says Yuri.
I have been in love with HIV for 20 years. Observation by a doctor and medications - allow you to work, tell how difficult it is to determine by eye whether a person has the immunodeficiency virus or not. Seeing Roman on stage, the guests of the forum at RUDN University did not immediately believe that in front of them was not an actor.
“Always the first reaction is caution. Even if a person smiles at you, you feel that he internally shuddered from this news,” notes Roman.
Doctors now need only 10 minutes to determine whether there is an immunodeficiency virus in the blood or saliva? This analysis can be done anonymously. And only for Last year, according to the Ministry of Health, more than 32 million people decided to take it.
“80 percent of HIV infections are early stages doesn't show itself at all. No clinical symptoms, according to which experts or a person himself could suspect. And it is very important that they come and regularly find out their HIV status,” explained the doctor, head of the Khabarovsk Prevention Department regional center ANTIAIDS Olga Misak.
It is important not to be afraid, it is important to know, doctors are sure! After all, sometimes the price of these minutes spent on a test for a person can be their own health or the lives of loved ones.
The day before World AIDS Day celebrated by the UN around the world December 1, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the WHO Regional Office for Europe published a report from which it follows that Russia is allegedly the first in Europe in the number of infections with this “plague of the 20th century,” followed by Ukraine and Belarus.
Federal News Agency First Deputy State Duma Committee on Education and Science, Honored Doctor, Doctor medical sciences, Gennady Onishchenko, who visited our studio on the eve of AIDS Day. According to Onishchenko, the situation with HIV/AIDS in our country is not simple, but the data provided by WHO is disingenuous and incorrect, which indicates the political bias of the authors of the report.
The parliamentarian told how Russia has come in the area of prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS over the past 30 years, and what remains to be done. Word - Gennady Onishchenko.
1987-2017: from first infection to 1 million 220 thousand HIV-infected
The situation with HIV/AIDS throughout the world is quite complex, and Russia is no exception. The first case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was registered in the USSR back in 1987. He was an engineer and military translator Vladimir Krasichkov, and something was wrong with his orientation, who brought this disease from Tanzania. He suffered from Kaposi's sarcoma, cancer which occurs in HIV-infected people. When they started looking into it, they found out that it was AIDS. Krasichkov, who passed away long ago, became the first registered HIV-infected person in our country.
Since that moment, since 1987, we have cumulatively registered 1 million 220 thousand HIV-infected people. This account applies to the only infection that is recorded by WHO - HIV/AIDS. The point is that this chronic infection, which does not go anywhere: an infected person is a carrier of HIV all his life. In 2017, 104 thousand newly diagnosed HIV-infected people were registered in Russia.
HIV in Russia: from infection to treatment
Treatment of HIV infection in our country began in 2005, when the Health program was adopted. At first, we set the goal of treating 100 thousand people annually. Now we are constantly treating more than 400 thousand infected people.
But the problem is that, unfortunately, the antiretroviral drugs that we use today are not effective enough. Therefore, once you start treatment, you need to take the pills for the rest of your life. It's difficult, treatment has side effects, and many simply cannot stand it.
For example, over the past year, 8.9% of those infected with the disease left treatment - that’s approximately 28 thousand people. At the same time, we must remember that HIV is a mixed product, that is, mixed infection, and that until recently we had an anomalous infection pattern. At one time, most people in our country were infected through non-medical injections - community-acquired non-medical parenteral administration any substances. The disease was mainly caused by drug addicts who use hard drugs of the heroin type, which come to us, among other things, through Afghanistan.
Now the structure of infection is approaching natural, since HIV is a classic sexually transmitted infection, which is usually transmitted sexually.
The fruits of liberalization: Elista's nightmare
In the late 1980s - early 1990s, when the incidence of HIV/AIDS began to rise throughout the world, our country was already entering the notorious liberalization: everything became possible, nothing had to be observed, and everything Soviet was declared “bad.” This is where we started having outbreaks of hospital transmission of HIV. Through blood, through injections, in the absence of disposable instruments. The first outbreaks of HIV/AIDS that were identified in our country were nosocomial infections.
Elista, Volgograd, and so on, and so on... I myself participated in the investigation of the outbreak in Elista. The children who were infected then are now adults. Some of them received higher education, created families, and the heroism of their mothers played a huge role here. Even in small Elista, many do not know about their status. In the wake of this tragedy, we have a whole program; for example, Russia has begun the intensive introduction of disposable medical instruments.
But today such situations are fading into the background; now hospital-acquired HIV infections are isolated cases. Today, people are mainly infected through community-acquired injections, and 56% of infections are sexually transmitted.
Attempts to create a vaccine against HIV, unfortunately, have not yet been successful, although from time to time information appears about some successes in this area. But, to be honest, I hope more for effective antiretroviral therapy, so that the number of drugs taken can be reduced: so that the patient takes not seven to ten tablets, but, for example, one.
Crafty numbers
Let's return to the topic of our conversation: World AIDS Day and the WHO report. So, today we have 85 thousand newly diagnosed HIV-infected people in ten months of 2018. The WHO report states that Russia's indicators are supposedly the worst.
In this regard, I am very upset that my colleagues - doctors who should be out of politics - fell for the political bait and, by blaming Russia, are apparently trying to curry favor with their employers, in this case the European Union. This is where, in my opinion, the incorrect interpretations of the data presented in the report come from.
It says that in Europe in 2017, 160 thousand people were diagnosed with HIV. Of these, 130 thousand are Eastern Europe: Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Of these 130 thousand, 104 thousand are Russia. That is, out of 160 thousand cases of HIV infection throughout Europe, Russia accounts for more than one hundred thousand!
But in fact, these data need to be explained. For example, Ukraine has practically stopped screening ( early diagnosis) HIV. And we still have Soviet time there were 20 million HIV tests annually, now we have reached 40 million annual screenings, that is, we have doubled these figures.
In the West, at first we were scolded for conducting HIV research: they say, what right do you have, you are violating human rights! This was when we examined risk groups: pregnant women, people with reduced social status leading an antisocial lifestyle, etc. In addition, we tested for HIV everyone who was admitted to the hospital due to surgery.
So, at first they scolded us, and now the Europeans themselves are proclaiming that everyone should be tested for HIV. But Ukraine has not tested anyone for HIV for a long time, Belarus tests only according to indications, and Europe has completely abandoned screening!
What happens? France identified only six thousand HIV-infected people in 2017. This is simply not serious - it turns out that they actually do not examine anyone at all!
I don’t want to say that everything is fine with this in Russia. Yes, we have HIV a difficult situation, but it’s not worth assigning such a dubious primacy to us.
Find out your status
The world community returns to the problem of HIV/AIDS twice a year - on December 1 and at the end of May, when World AIDS Day of Remembrance is celebrated. These days are intended to once again draw the attention of all people, especially young people, to the problems and risks associated with this “plague of the 20th century.”
The motto of World AIDS Day, as last year, is: “Know your status.”
I am deeply convinced that the professional medical community alone cannot solve the problem of HIV/AIDS. Should work here civil society. For our country, this means that we need to more actively create and finance programs aimed at HIV prevention and public awareness. And here I agree to some extent with our critics: yes, in our country, communities of people living with HIV are more discriminated against compared to European countries.
We still have strong prejudices, stigmatization of HIV-infected people, even to the point that children with HIV are positive status, for which they are in no way to blame, they refuse to enroll in kindergartens.
But we always and everywhere say: an HIV-infected person can live in society. As a living witness to the horror that gripped everyone when we saw the first HIV-infected person, I can say with confidence: in thirty years we have come a long way!
Today we clearly say: an HIV-infected person can and should be fully socialized: he can grow and develop normally, get an education, start a family, give birth to healthy, and I emphasize, healthy children.
And, of course, tolerance and tolerance of society towards HIV-infected people is also very important, and this is what I call for on the eve of AIDS Day. Let's remember that we are talking about one million two hundred twenty thousand of our fellow citizens!
One of the most serious incurable diseases of the twenty-first century is the immunodeficiency virus. It is not for nothing that he is considered a real threat to humanity. After all, the incidence rate increases every year. Victims dangerous infection impossible to count. Their number is growing every year. But a cure for HIV has not yet been created, as well as a vaccine that will help protect millions of people from infection. AIDS Day is not just another date, but an opportunity to remind the whole world that a terrible disease can affect any person and change his life and ruin his plans. There are many purposes for its implementation. But the main thing is to reduce the level of epidemic danger. You can also learn tolerance on this day. AIDS infected people often suffer from misunderstandings from society. Discrimination against those infected with a terrible disease is a problem not only of morality and morality, but also of a lack of information. World AIDS Day is a chance to teach society about tolerance towards those infected. What events are held in connection with this event, who and when came up with it and the accompanying symbolism?
AIDS Day: history
World AIDS Day is celebrated on the first day of December every year. The disease itself was discovered in the mid-eighties of the last century. However, specialists from the World Health Organization learned only in 1987 that its development and further spread was caused by a very dangerous virus. About a year later, a meeting of the health ministers of all civilized countries took place. It passed on December 1, 1988. As part of this meeting, a decision was made on international cooperation against the spread of the terrible disease. Since then, December 1 is celebrated as World AIDS Day. The interaction of different countries in the field of studying the disease, searching for vaccines and cures for it, as well as preventing an increase in the incidence rate is producing tangible results. It is important to note that it is not only about combating dangerous I'm getting sick speech on this day. HIV is not only dangerous to health, but also a socially significant disease. The fact is that people with positive status are discriminated against in society. AIDS Support Day is an excellent opportunity to teach children and adults to treat infected people with tolerance.
HIV and AIDS Day has been celebrated on December 1 for several decades. The activities carried out in this regard change regularly. One thing remains unchanged. On December 1, World AIDS Day, international preventive measures to counter the virus. And on this day other problems associated with this terrible disease are solved.
By the way, All-Russian AIDS Day is also celebrated on the first of December. In principle, there is no separate event specifically for our country. Holding this event at the same time all over the world is a great opportunity to unite against a terrible disease.
Symbol of the fight against AIDS: where did the red ribbon come from?
AIDS Day is an event that is celebrated all over the world. It has its own symbols, which have been used since 1991. The red ribbon, as a symbol of the fight against AIDS, was invented by American artist Frank Moore. This idea came to his mind after he saw people with yellow ribbons. In the late eighties and early nineties in some US states, such symbols were worn by relatives of people who fought in the Persian Gulf.
A red ribbon, as a symbol of the fight against AIDS, is pinned to clothing in the shape of an inverted letter V. This is a symbol of victory (from the word Victory). Today it is used not only on HIV Day. The red ribbon is pinned to clothes by employees of AIDS centers, volunteers, social workers, as well as celebrities who want to emphasize a tolerant attitude towards the fate of those infected. Such symbolism can be seen on athletes, actors, singers and musicians. Red ribbons adorn the evening dresses of stars at famous awards and festivals.
AIDS, a symbol of the fight against which is known all over the world, is considered by many to be a reason to think about the need to listen to the problems of your neighbor, to show empathy and compassion. That's why many famous people, along with ordinary ordinary residents of different countries, enter into the fight against dangerous illness, become volunteers, visit different places planets. Their main goal is to bring information about World AIDS Day and the disease itself in particular to residents of remote corners of the world.
AIDS Remembrance Day: when is it celebrated, what events does it include?
This sad date is not celebrated on the first of December, so it should not be confused. Victims of this terrible disease are remembered all over the world in the spring. AIDS Remembrance Day is held every third Sunday in May. Remember those you took incurable disease, sparing neither adults nor children, can be done at any time. However, World AIDS Day is an occasion to unite not only in the fight against terrible disease, but also in grief for those who were killed by the virus epidemic.
AIDS Memorial Day was first held in 1983. The organizers of the event are residents of San Francisco who are not indifferent to this problem. Each of a small group of people has lost a loved one or loved one. Media learned that AIDS Remembrance Day took place mass media. Thanks to journalists, it became widely known and a year later it was held in most US states. A few years later, the event became known in almost all countries.
Its main purpose is to honor the memory of those who died from AIDS. However this event is also a reason to think about the fact that it is possible to avoid a terrible illness if you follow necessary measures security.
Public opinion on AIDS Remembrance Day is divided. Someone treats him with participation and compassion. However, there are others. These are people who still adhere to the opinion that the immunodeficiency virus is a disease of marginalized people and asocial elements. This is why World AIDS Remembrance Day is not considered an event worthy of our own attention. Although the opinion that HIV is transmitted only through sexual contact and through injection drug use through a single syringe is erroneous. However, the spread of the disease began among gay people, prostitutes and drug addicts. But today become a victim dangerous virus everyone can. Infection can occur in a hospital dental office and even in a beauty salon. And the cause of infection will not be immoral behavior, but negligence medical personnel or beauty industry workers.
Every person should understand that Memorial Day for victims of a dangerous disease is a normal human reaction. It is necessary to show empathy and compassion for someone else’s misfortune, at least in order to remain human in any situation.
International AIDS Day: the purpose of the celebration
The fight against the most dangerous disease of the last two centuries is possible only through the joint efforts of the whole world. It is important to understand that if each country develops its own measures to counter the immunodeficiency virus, stop the spread terrible infection will be impossible. AIDS Day is an opportunity to join forces and exchange knowledge and experience. Events dedicated to it are held annually in an international format. These are meetings of health ministers, as well as scientists and medical specialists involved in the study of the virus, its treatment and the development of vaccines and drugs. People whose work is related to a dangerous illness decide together on the most important questions about preventing the spread of the virus on World HIV Day. For example, most drugs used in antiretroviral therapy, were created in different countries, but received wide use all over the world, thanks to the interaction of scientists and medical specialists.
Other events are held on HIV and AIDS Day. It's about on dissemination of information about a dangerous disease, routes of its transmission and attitude towards those infected. It is extremely important to convey it primarily to the younger generation. Conducted with students and schoolchildren cool watch And extracurricular activities, on which information about terrible illness, its consequences and modes of transmission becomes available. At such events, the younger generation is taught a tolerant attitude towards infected people. Teachers talk about how it is possible and necessary to communicate with infected people, because dangerous disease It is not transmitted through handshakes or by airborne droplets.
On the Day of Support for HIV-Infected People, volunteers and simply caring people visit hospices in order to support patients. It is important to note that for people with a terminal diagnosis, such support is essential. There are often cases when relatives and friends refuse them. Which means even help stranger will be invaluable.
Events to combat AIDS are not only held on the first of December. This event can be timed for weeks or months. And long-term projects to combat the immunodeficiency virus, adopted in an international format, are implemented over several years or even decades.
World AIDS Day, adopted in 1988, is celebrated annually on December 1. This day is not a public holiday, but for everyone who lives active struggle with death syndrome, this is a very important and serious date. The event does not have the character of a grand holiday, since this day is dedicated not only preventive measures, but also in memory of the victims of a dangerous disease.
What is AIDS?
AIDS - progressive viral disease, which makes the body vulnerable to serious infections. The deadly virus was first registered on June 5, 1981 by scientists from America. Despite the fact that more than 30 years have passed, no one has yet managed to defeat the disease. Unfortunately, in Russia AIDS is already an epidemic and the only way Protect yourself - carefully follow all preventive measures. Anyone can be tested for AIDS, including mandatory Pregnant women and people undergoing surgery are tested for the virus.
AIDS is spreading with catastrophic progression and today the number of cases has reached 52 million people. The immunodeficiency virus affects both antisocial people and those who became infected due to their own negligence. Most of the sick people are working-age population under 50 years of age. World AIDS Day is dedicated to confronting this epidemic, as a reminder that dangerous disease always somewhere nearby.
The history of the holiday
The idea of holding AIDS Day came from World Health Organization staff James Bunnon and Thomas Netter. The proposal was announced in 1987 and came into force in 1988.
Why is AIDS Day celebrated on December 1st? The Americans had elections this year, which were actively discussed in the media and citizens were quite fed up with. The public needed new events, so the success of AIDS Day was guaranteed.
Originally December 1 Special attention focused specifically on working with youth and the younger generation. But, since the disease was spreading throughout the world at an astronomical speed, it was decided to bring as much information as possible to representatives of all ages. After all, as numerous studies have shown, not all adults have an accurate understanding of AIDS and measures to prevent it.
In 1996, the United Nations Organization on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) was formed to combat AIDS and was entrusted with the coordination and planning of this special date. This organization also has a representative office in Russia.
Traditions
On AIDS Day, December 1, thematic seminars, lectures, various events and exhibitions are organized, the task of which is to convey to society the globality and seriousness of the problem. The organizers are charitable foundations, research and scientific centers, social movements. By attending these events, you will learn the whole truth and myths about the disease, its routes of transmission and, most importantly, prevention. Also, the organizers are faced with the task of developing loyalty to all AIDS patients, for whom the diagnosis should not become a reason to be excluded from society.
A special place on this day is occupied by educational work in educational institutions. Specialists provide the younger generation with maximum information about the disease, emphasizing the mandatory use of high-quality contraceptives. Students are involved in the production of thematic wall newspapers, posters, and presentations.
In many major cities On December 1, you can see mobile blood collection stations, where everyone can take a rapid HIV test. Campaigns are often organized to distribute free contraceptives. And even if this is only a small part of what can be done to prevent the spread of the disease, all this will certainly help someone and make them think.
For World AIDS Day, television broadcasts dedicated to this global problem of all mankind television programs, documentaries, talk show. Active participation in the fight against the plague of the 20-21st century. hosted by show business stars and media personalities. Music videos and videos are being shot on the topic of AIDS, focusing attention on the problem. By many charitable foundations grants are regularly allocated for research activities aimed at finding new effective measures to fight AIDS. At conferences, scientists share valuable experience and new progressive discoveries.
Holiday symbol
The symbol of the fight against AIDS has become the red ribbon, which today can be seen on all information media related to the disease. The attribute of understanding and support for all AIDS patients appeared in 1991 based on a sketch by American artist Frank Moore. The man came up with the idea after observing a neighboring family wear yellow ribbons as a symbol of hope for the return of their military daughter from the Persian Gulf. Frank Moore suggested that such a ribbon, only red, could become a symbol of the fight against the disease and voiced his idea to the Visual AIDS group, consisting of professional artists.
The artist’s idea was also approved at the 45th Tony Awards ceremony, held on June 2, 2000. A red ribbon that looks like an inverted English letter"V" became the official symbol of the fight against AIDS. Everyone present at the event wore this commemorative attribute, launching a worldwide campaign of remembrance and confrontation. The laconic red ribbon very quickly earned its popularity; it is worn not only on December 1, but also at all events where the topic of AIDS is relevant.
A person has biological mechanisms on protection against microorganisms and self-regulation. A disruption in their operation is life-threatening and can be caused genetic disorders or influences external factors. The immunodeficiency virus leads to the appearance of a syndrome that deprives the body of resistance to disease. An international holiday is dedicated to the fight against this epidemic.
When is it celebrated?
World AIDS Day is celebrated annually on December 1st. It is not a national holiday in Russia, but promotions related to the date are held here. Action established World Organization Health (WHO) in 1988.
Who's celebrating
Everyone involved in confronting the syndrome takes part in the events. Among them are immunologists, researchers, activists social movements, infected people, their relatives, loved ones, friends. Government officials are joining the protests, scientific institutions and charitable foundations.
History and traditions of the holiday
The idea was put forward by D. Bunn and T. Netter, WHO public information officers. The proposal found support among the institution's functionaries. Thus, the decision was made to found the holiday, which was first held in 1988. December 1 was chosen so that the date would not be overshadowed by the Christmas holidays and elections in the United States.
It is customary to determine their motto before the start of events. At first it was given great attention the topic of infection of children and youth. However, she was criticized. It was noted that the disease can affect representatives of all ages. Despite all efforts, the disease spread across the Earth at an alarming rate.
To combat it, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) was created in 1996. The agency, made up of many UN divisions, coordinates the fight against the epidemic around the world and has an office in Russia. One of his tasks was planning and coordinating the memorial date. The structure calls for joining forces and paying attention to the problem not only on December 1, but throughout the year. The event is not a holiday, because it is associated with the memory of the victims of the virus.
World AIDS Day 2019 is accompanied by educational events. On December 1, public lectures, seminars, and exhibitions are held. Anyone can participate. Here, listeners are told about protective measures and precautions against the disease, and the mechanisms of infection. False ideas and myths about the methods of transmission of a deadly pathogen are debunked.
Particular attention is paid to explanatory work in educational institutions. Schools prepare wall newspapers, post posters, and conduct thematic classes. Programs about events are broadcast in the media. The stories tell about the lives of the infected, their fates, and the progress of treatment. Recent advances in therapy are reported.
Charitable organizations provide grants for research work. Scientists share their own forecasts, talk about successes and difficulties. Prominent cultural figures, artists, and show business stars record videos that draw attention to the problem of HIV. The current lack of cures for the disease is compensated by a broad educational campaign. Its goal is to reduce people's risky behavior that increases the likelihood of infection.
Russia is a country in which AIDS has become an epidemic. A periodic decrease in its rate occurs due to increased mortality of patients. Government measures are limited to traditional statements from officials about help. The government's promises are complemented by meager funding for preventive and medical measures.
