2023-04-25 00:00:27
- While in 2000 there were 2.9 million new cases of HIV in the world, by 2021 the figure dropped to 1.5 million.
- Moreover, the number of people living with this infection increased from 26 million to more than 38 million in the last two decades.
- Currently there are 10 countries that account for 51% of all new HIV cases in the world.
Despite the fact that the number of new HIV cases remains low across the planet, there are some countries where the opposite has occurred. Specifically, there are 10 nations that cause the most concern because they are the ones that account for half of all new infections in the world. For this reason, it is necessary to redouble efforts to put an end to one of the most serious pandemics that emerged during the 20th century.
So far it is unknown how this disease was generated and the way in which it reached humans. The truth is that it was in 1983 when the World Health Organization (WHO) named it and since then it has become a public health problem.
For starters, HIV is characterized by attacking the immune system and weakening the defenses against many infections and certain types of cancer that people with stronger immune systems can fight more easily.
As the virus destroys immune cells and prevents the normal functioning of immunity, the infected person gradually falls into a state of immunodeficiency.
An important point that should be clarified is that HIV and AIDS are not synonymous. The first represents the initial stage of the disease and in the current stage it can be treated through the use of antiretrovirals for life. On the other hand, when the medicines are not received, it evolves to AIDS, which is the advanced and most dangerous phase. When that happens, the death of the patient in the short term is quite probable.
Main symptoms of HIV
According to the WHO, the symptoms of the infection differ according to the stage in question. Although the maximum infectivity tends to be reached in the first months, many infected are unaware that they are carriers until more advanced stages. Sometimes, in the first weeks after infection, the person does not manifest symptoms, while on other occasions they present a flu-like condition with fever, headache, rashes or sore throat.
As the infection weakens the immune system, the person may develop other signs and symptoms, such as lymphadenopathy, weight loss, fever, diarrhea and cough. If the infection is not treated, serious diseases such as tuberculosis, cryptococcal meningitis, serious bacterial infections, or cancers such as lymphomas or Kaposi’s sarcoma can develop.
The countries with the most new HIV cases
According to estimates from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, there are 10 countries that registered almost half of all new infections during 2021. First instance is found South Africa because it had 14% of all infections on the planet.
Then two other African nations appear and are Mozambique and Nigeria. In all three cases, it stands out that they are nations with high levels of poverty. Therefore, HIV remains one of the main health problems. In addition, they do not have care programs to offer drugs to patients.
Other countries that appear among those with the most new HIV cases are Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Kenya. At the same time, there are also nations from other continents such as India, Russia and Brazilbeing the three of the most populated in the world.
While the number of new infections fell from 2.9 million in 2000 to 1.5 million in 2021, the number of people living with HIV has increased from 26 million to more than 38 million in the last two decades.
According to UNAIDS, the increase is not only due to new infections, but also a testament to the progress that has been made in treating HIV with antiretroviral therapy, which has exponentially improved the life expectancy of patients.
Also read:
Having HIV increases the risk of committing suicide 100 times
The Latin American countries with the most confirmed cases of HIV
HIV in Mexico: IMSS offers antiretrovirals to 96% of patients
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