HIV is nothing more than the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which attacks the immune system and weakens surveillance and defense systems against infections and some cancers. As this virus destroys immune cells and alters their function, the infected person gradually becomes immunodeficient.
Immunodeficiency involves a greater sensitivity to many different infections and diseases that people with a healthy immune system can fight. Its most advanced phase is known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which can take between 2 and 15 years to manifest, depending on each person. AIDS is defined by the appearance of certain types of cancer, infections or other serious clinical manifestations.
HIV / AIDS, as it is generally known, has become a pandemic that continues to grow globally, and continues as one of the most serious public health problems on the planet after having claimed more than 34 million lives present.
Due to its sexual transmission it has spread very quickly, although it can also be spread by contact with various body fluids of infected people, such as blood and breast milk; Not with regular and everyday contacts such as kissing, hugging or shaking hands or sharing personal belongings, food or drinks.
Hence it is imperative to avoid certain risk factors and behaviors that can increase the chances of a person contracting this fatal virus. For example: not protecting oneself from sexual intercourse, having another sexually transmitted infection, sharing contaminated needles or syringes, receiving injections or blood transfusions without security guarantees, etc.
Thanks to recent advances in access to antiretroviral treatment, HIV-positive people can now live longer and in better health. However, until now it is a disease that has no cure and therefore, the best medicine is prevention.
The UNAIDS Prevention Gap Report shows that in the last five years there have been 1.9 million new HIV infections per year in adults and that they are increasing in some regions.
That is why every year, since 1988, the International Day of Action is commemorated on December 1, and it is dedicated to publicizing the progress against this pandemic. On this occasion, the campaign is entitled "Raise Hands for HIV Prevention", and will cover aspects such as the use of preservatives and lubricants, harm reduction, pre-exposure prophylaxis, voluntary male medical circumcision (CMMV), Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, testing and viral suppression.
It will also explore how to address the barriers to accessing and using such services for adolescents and young women, key populations and people living with HIV.
In Cuba, and specifically in Santiago de Cuba, the epidemic grows alongside the world, despite the continuous messages of prevention and health promotion. So much remains to be done.
In Santiago de Cuba, community interventions have been planned, in schools, in the mass media, in hospital centers for pregnant women, etc.
Likewise, it is planned to carry out rapid tests, to implement a film week about sexual diversity, and other activities that will not be carried out with the clamor that characterizes them, due to the mourning that Cuba is experiencing these days.