In the last 10 years, more than 17 lakh people have been infected with HIV in the country due to unprotected sex. This information has been made available by the National AIDS Control Organization in response to an RTI application. However, the number of people infected with ‘human immunodeficiency virus’ (HIV) has decreased significantly in the last 10 years. In 2011-12, the number of people infected with HIV due to unprotected sex was 2.4 lakh, while in 2020-21 it decreased to 85,268.
The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), in response to an application by RTI activist Chandrashekhar Gaur, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, said that between 2011-2021, 17,08,777 people were infected with HIV in India due to unprotected sex. The highest number of cases of HIV infection were reported in Andhra Pradesh where 3,18,814 people were infected with the virus. This was followed by Maharashtra with 2,84,577, Karnataka 2,12,982, Tamil Nadu 1,16,536, Uttar Pradesh 1,10,911 and Gujarat 87,400.
According to investigational data, between 2011-12 and 2020-21, 15,782 people contracted HIV through blood and blood products, while 4,423 children were transmitted through mothers. According to the data, there has been a decrease in the cases of HIV infection in all the states and union territories.
There were 23,18,737 people living with HIV in the country as of 2020, including 81,430 children. According to the reply, during the investigation, the infected persons told the counselors what caused them to be infected with HIV and on this the information is based. HIV attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it becomes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
Apart from unprotected sex, the virus can also be transmitted through contact with the blood of an infected person. Within a few weeks of being infected with HIV, an affected person may develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and weakness. After this there are no symptoms of the disease until it becomes AIDS. Symptoms of AIDS include weight loss, fever or night sweats, weakness, and frequent infections.
There is no effective treatment for HIV, but there are medications that can be used to manage it. Satish Kaul, director of internal medicine at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said that the HIV status in India has stabilized in the last decade. He told the agency, “NACA has a very good network in India, which is responsible for the management of HIV patients. Highly active anti retroviral treatment (HAART) is readily available. In fact, the number of HIV infected patients has been declining since 2000. Prabhat Ranjan Sinha, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine at Dwarka-based Aakash Healthcare, said that due to the restrictions related to the COVID-19 epidemic, the cases of HIV in the country have been low for the last two years.