AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Since the first case was found in the United States in 1981, AIDS has been spreading around the world for 40 years.
According to the scientific research in many countries, it has been proved that all of the four known strains of AIDS came from chimpanzees in Cameroon. Some African aborigines blindly believe that as long as they inject chimpanzee blood into themselves or drink its blood, they can gain strength similar to chimpanzees. Such ridiculous behavior has also led to AIDS infection to humans.
Dugas is the first patient of HIV/AIDS in the world, but he was not the first human infected with the virus. Because he was a pilot, plus he did not restrain his private life and dated with multiple sexual partners, he brought AIDS virus from Africa to the world.
He intentionally transmitted the infectious virus from himself to his sexual partners recklessly. According to his own estimates, he had sex with about 100 sexual partners every year, and since 1972, more than 2,500 of his sexual partners came from whole North America.
It is estimated that in 2019, gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for about 64% of new HIV infections in Western Europe, Central Europe and North America, 44% of new HIV infections in Latin America and the Asia Pacific Region, and 26% of new HIV infections in the Caribbean Region. From 2010 to 2019, the new AIDS infection rate among gay men and other MSM increased by 25%.
The latest core information on AIDS prevention in 2020 released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention pointed out that about 8 out of every 100 MSM are infected with AIDS, who have a high risk of infection. Although heterosexual transmission still represents a large proportion, if it is not controlled, the risk of MSM infected with AIDS will continue to increase.
Blood transmission, sexual transmission and mother-to-child transmission are the three major ways of AIDS transmission. AIDS is terrifying, but if we are devoted to the effective and reasonable prevention and treatment, we can also avoid being infected with the HIV.
Regardless of gay men or the general population, the key is to stay away from high-risk sexual behavior. Active use of condoms in every sexual behavior is the paramount criterion for safe intimacy. Never have sex without protective measures.
Some people think "since I am a male, and I will have no loss if not wearing a condom". In fact, males do suffer a lot if they do not use condoms. The number of Chinese men infected with AIDS is 2-3 times higher than women. There is no wiser choice than using condoms, if you want to keep yourself safe.
In addition to protection in advance, emergency treatment after sex is also very important. If you have unprotected high-risk sexual behavior and think you may have been exposed to HIV, you may take Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) as an emergency remedy within 72 hours (the sooner the better).
If you often have high-risk sexual behavior, you may consult a professional to reduce the risk by taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). In addition, HIV/AIDS testing should be conducted regularly, at least twice a year, to timely follow up the infection possibility.
With the development of science and technology and the rapid development of medical technology, people are increasingly aware of AIDS and can effectively block its transmission. Hopefully in the near future, this problem will be completely tackled and AIDS will be defeated. However, before the arrival of that day, we must be on the alert strict and protect ourselves well.
