3rd December - International Day of Persons with Disabilities

 This year Theme of World AIDS Day is "Know your Status"
There is no cure for HIV infection. However, effective antiretroviral  (ARV) drugs can control the virus and help prevent transmission so that  people with HIV, and those at substantial risk, can enjoy healthy, long  and productive lives.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)  targets the immune system and weakens people's defence systems against  infections and some types of cancer. As the virus destroys and impairs  the function of immune cells, infected individuals gradually become  immunodeficient.  
Serological tests, such as RDTs or enzyme immunoassays (EIAs),  detect the presence or absence of antibodies to HIV-1/2 and/or HIV p24  antigen. No single HIV test can provide an HIV-positive diagnosis. It is  important that these tests are used in combination and in a specific  order that has been validated and is based on HIV prevalence of the  population being tested. HIV infection can be detected with great  accuracy, using WHO prequalified tests within a validated approach.  
All HIV testing services must follow the 5 Cs principles recommended by WHO: 

• informed Consent
• Confidentiality
• Counselling
• Correct test results
• Connection (linkage to care, treatment and other services).

A 2011 trial has confirmed that if an HIV-positive person adheres  to an effective ART regimen, the risk of transmitting the virus to their  uninfected sexual partner can be reduced by 96%. The WHO recommendation  to initiate ART in all people living with HIV will contribute  significantly to reducing HIV transmission.