World AIDS Day 2016 being observed today

The annual World AIDS Day is being marked on Thursday (today) in order to raise awareness of the disorder, which affects the immune system.

World AIDS Day was first observed on 1st December 1988. Since then, this date is dedicated to raise awareness about the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

According to medical doctors and professionals, there are three main ways to contract AIDS i.e. having unprotected sex, sharing needles and via mother-to-child-transmission.

Seminars and gatherings are held to educate the people regarding the menace of HIV/AIDS and how to counter it. Treatment methods are also discussed with those suffering from the disease.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), the epidemic claimed more than 35 million lives so far. More than one million people died of HIV-related causes globally in year 2015, the WHO said in a report.

WHO also stated that there were approximately 36.7 million (34.0–39.8) people suffering from HIV at the end of 2015 with 2.1 (1.8–2.4) million people becoming newly infected in 2015 globally.

However, new HIV infections fell by 35%, AIDS-related deaths fell by 28% with some 8 million lives saved from from 2000 to 2015.

HIV cannot be treated. However, it can be controlled through effective antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and help prevent transmission in order for people to enjoy healthy, long and productive lives.