SARASOTA – Since the first diagnosis in 1981, nearly 40 million people have died from HIV/Aids worldwide.
Human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system.
“It’s a virus that is sexually transmitted, or can be transmitted through breastmilk, perinatal transmission, or through blood transfusions,” said Medical Director of CAN Community Health, Miami Gardens, Jessica Altamirano.
Once the virus is acquired it can, if not treated lead to hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality.
“Ultimately, if we let this virus progress when it attacks the immune system it can lead to what we denominate as AIDS, which is the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome,” said Altamirano.
If the virus is acquired, there may be no symptoms, meaning the patient can be asymptomatic.
“So essentially everybody should know their status and look for a test because not everybody living with HIV presents with symptoms,” said Altamirano.
The good news? HIV is no longer a death sentence.
“Science has provided us with such an armamentarium and just an incredible toolbox of so many different medications that are as simple to take, anything as simple as taking one pill a day which can actually suppress the levels of the virus and let that person become un-detectable and live a long and healthy life,” said Altamirano.
Two of the biggest factors that contribute to the continued devastation caused by this autoimmune disease are stigma and lack of awareness. As we near World Aids Day, designated every December 1st Dr. Altamirano wants all to help raise awareness.
“An opportunity for everyone to listen to stories of people living with HIV, to learn from those stories and to honor and remember those who we lost to HIV, and that gives us an opportunity to open the discussion and still have strategies to end this HIV Epidemic,” said Altamirano.
Stay tuned to SNN this week, as we continue our coverage of World Aids Day to help dismantle the stigma surrounding HIV.
