Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks/destroys human infection-fighting CD4 immune cells, making it difficult for the body to fight off opportunistic infections and some cancers. If left untreated, HIV infection could lead towards Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage, in 10-15 years1,2. The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested. Currently, there is no effective cure for HIV; once someone gets HIV, they have it for life. However, today, Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) allows HIV-positive persons to live long, healthy lives, and prevents transmission. According to the WHO, an estimated 41 million people were living with HIV in 2024, worldwide, with around 1.3 million new infections per year; and about 630,000 people have died from AIDS-related illnesses, equating to one person every minute worldwide3. In developing countries such as Pakistan, key challenges persist, including lack of HIV/AIDS awareness; unsafe medical practices, social stigma/discrimination; limited access to testing, treatment, prevention, and care; funding uncertainties; and ongoing epidemics4
Author: Nasreen Inayat Bughio
Institution: Government of Canada
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $150
OpenAlex ID: W7123359132
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