World AIDS Vaccine Day or HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD) is observed on 18th May every year to educate communities and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

Despite so many years of the outbreak of this pandemic, there’s no vaccine available to prevent the disease. Moreover, there’s a lack of discussion around the topic due to stereotypical beliefs in and around the families.

Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV infects cells of the immune system in the body which leads to a life-threatening disease called AIDS or Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome.

How does on get HIV?

HIV can enter a body through:

– Blood

– Semen

– Vaginal secretions

– Anal fluids

– Breast milk

Also Read: Types of Panic Attacks

Is AIDS curable?

One is said to have AIDS when HIV infects their body to an extent that their system becomes too weak to fight off any other virus or chronic diseases like cancer.

No, AIDS isn’t curable by now. But, Antiretroviral therapy can help reverse the loss to immune system.

And precaution is always better than cure. So, it is important to raise awareness on this day and to expedite the development of a vaccine to prevent it.