Plague of the Last Age: What Will HIV/AIDS Look Like in 2024?

In 1983, Dr. Luc Montagnier and his team discovered the cause of unexpected deaths among homosexual men and intravenous drug users in the US and Western countries in the early 1980s. Experts say that this virus, called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), caused a global pandemic in the following years, leaving deep impacts on social, economic and medical fields. Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Head Prof. Dr. Levent Doğancı stated that HIV/AIDS, which is called the plague of the age, continues to be seen as approximately two million new HIV cases per year according to World Health Organization data. Prof. Dr. Levent Doğancı listed the most important factors in this as economic inequalities, limited access to treatment in low-income societies, sex tourism and unprotected sexual relations and gave information about the situation of the disease in the world and in Türkiye.

“The first case in Türkiye was detected in 1985”

Stating that the first HIV case in Türkiye was detected in 1985, Prof. Dr. Levent Doğancı said that this patient, who died shortly after the diagnosis, represented the beginning of the fight against HIV/AIDS in our country. Reminding that December 1 was declared as “World AIDS Day” by the World Health Organization in 1988, Doğancı said, “However, until 2002, while millions of people in Africa were living with this virus, only a small number of them were able to access treatment.”

HIV/AIDS in 2024: Achievements and challenges

According to Levent Doğancı, one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine is the HAART (Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy) protocol, which has increased the duration and quality of life of HIV-positive individuals. With this treatment, life expectancy has increased from a few months in the 1980s to almost a lifetime today by preventing the transmission of the virus. Levent Doğancı, however, said that the Covid-19 pandemic has had more severe consequences for HIV-positive individuals due to immunodeficiency. He pointed out that the need for special protection and support for these groups has been demonstrated once again.

HIV/AIDS in Türkiye: Current situation

Explaining that there are approximately 50 thousand HIV positive individuals in Türkiye according to official figures, Prof. Dr. Levent Doğancı from Altınbaş University noted that 10% of them are AIDS patients.

He stated the social and psychological barriers faced by individuals living with HIV in the society as follows:

- Privacy and testing difficulties: Individuals who hesitate to get tested delay the detection and treatment of the disease.

- Social Isolation and Stigma: HIV-positive individuals are subjected to discrimination due to the prejudices of the media and society.

- Lack of Education: Since HIV is sexually transmitted, the disease is still considered a taboo and the society is not adequately educated.

- Access to Treatment: The high cost of HAART treatment is a significant barrier to access to treatment.

What should be done to stop the epidemic?

Underlining that HIV is not transmitted through daily social contacts, Levent Doğancı emphasized that the public should be told that shaking hands, kissing, hugging or being in the same environment does not carry the risk of transmission. Levent Doğancı stated that education is essential to raise awareness in society and gave important warnings:

- Education and awareness: All segments of society, especially young people and health personnel, should be educated about HIV/AIDS.

- Easy access to treatment: HIV-positive individuals should be able to benefit from health services without facing discrimination or resistance.

- Protection of privacy: Individuals' identities and medical conditions must be strictly protected. Otherwise, the disease remains unrecorded and becomes uncontrollable.

- Promotion of contraception: Condom use, avoiding risky relationships and widespread testing will be effective in preventing transmission.