The global challenge of HIV/AIDS remains one of the most pressing public health issues today. According to the latest data from UNAIDS, around 38.4 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, underlining the need for not only medical intervention but also comprehensive awareness, education, and social change. Despite the significant strides made in treatment and prevention, the confusion surrounding the relationship between HIV and AIDS still persists.

Young people have become influential advocates in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Research from UNICEF shows that youth-led initiatives can lower HIV transmission rates by as much as 45% in targeted communities. These young activists utilize digital platforms and peer-to-peer education to dispel myths, promote safe practices, and foster supportive environments for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Dr Gowri Kulkarni, an expert in Internal Medicine, explains that while the terms HIV and AIDS are often used interchangeably, they are distinctly different. "HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, whereas AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a condition that occurs when HIV severely damages the immune system," she clarifies. To understand the implications of these differences, it's important to explore the fundamental distinctions between the two.

1. HIV is a Virus; AIDS is a Syndrome

HIV is the virus responsible for attacking the body’s immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells, which are crucial for the body’s defense against infections. As HIV progresses, it destroys these cells, weakening the immune system over time. If left untreated, this continuous damage can lead to AIDS.

AIDS, on the other hand, is a syndrome, not a virus. Dr Kulkarni further elaborates that AIDS is a collection of symptoms and illnesses that emerge when the immune system is severely compromised due to prolonged HIV infection. It represents the most advanced stage of HIV, and is characterized by very low CD4 counts or the onset of opportunistic infections like tuberculosis, pneumonia, or certain cancers.

2. Not Everyone with HIV Develops AIDS

A key distinction to remember is that not everyone with HIV will progress to AIDS. Thanks to advancements in medicine, particularly antiretroviral therapy (ART), individuals living with HIV can manage the virus and maintain a healthy immune system for many years, or even decades, without ever developing AIDS. ART works by suppressing the virus to undetectable levels, effectively preventing the damage HIV would otherwise cause to the immune system.

Without treatment, however, HIV progresses through three stages:

- Acute HIV Infection: This stage occurs shortly after transmission and may include symptoms like fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.

- Chronic HIV Infection: Often asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, the virus continues to damage the immune system but at a slower rate.

- AIDS: This is the final stage, marked by severe immune damage and the presence of infections that take advantage of the compromised immune defenses.

3. HIV is Transmissible; AIDS is Not

Another key distinction between HIV and AIDS is the way in which they are transmitted. HIV is highly contagious and can be transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It is primarily spread through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.

AIDS, however, is not transmissible. It is not a disease that can be passed from one person to another. Rather, AIDS is the result of untreated, advanced HIV infection and is a direct consequence of the virus’s damage to the immune system.

4. Diagnosis Methods Differ

HIV and AIDS are diagnosed through different methods. HIV is diagnosed through blood tests or oral swabs that detect the presence of the virus or antibodies produced by the immune system in response to the virus. Early detection of HIV is crucial, as it allows for timely intervention and treatment, which can prevent the virus from progressing to AIDS.

AIDS, on the other hand, is diagnosed using more specific criteria. Dr Kulkarni notes that the diagnosis of AIDS is made when the individual’s CD4 cell count falls below 200 cells/mm³, or when opportunistic infections or certain cancers (such as Kaposi's sarcoma or lymphoma) are detected. Diagnosing AIDS involves a more thorough assessment of the individual’s immune function and overall health, as opposed to just the detection of HIV.

5. Treatment Goals Are Different

The treatment goals for HIV and AIDS differ significantly, although both involve antiretroviral therapy (ART). For HIV, the primary treatment goal is to suppress the virus to undetectable levels, thus maintaining a strong immune system and preventing further transmission of the virus. People living with HIV can often live long, healthy lives if they adhere to ART.

For individuals diagnosed with AIDS, the treatment plan becomes more complex. While ART remains an essential part of managing the virus, treatment for AIDS also focuses on addressing the opportunistic infections and secondary health complications associated with severe immune suppression. The goal of treatment for AIDS is not only to manage the HIV virus but also to improve the quality of life and extend survival by treating these secondary health issues.

Role of Community Engagement in Combatting HIV/AIDS

While the medical community has made great strides in managing HIV, the battle to curb its transmission is also a social and cultural issue. Dr Daman Ahuja, a public health expert, highlights that HIV/AIDS awareness and education are vital to reducing transmission rates and supporting those affected by the virus. "Young people, especially, have become key advocates in the fight against HIV/AIDS," says Dr Ahuja. "Research from UNICEF shows that youth-led initiatives can lower HIV transmission rates by as much as 45% in targeted communities."

Additionally, grassroots activism plays a significant role in raising awareness and addressing stigma. As the World Health Organization reports, community-based interventions have been proven to increase HIV testing rates and improve treatment adherence, which are crucial in the fight against the pandemic.

The ultimate goal of organizations like UNAIDS is to eliminate the HIV/AIDS pandemic by 2030. Achieving this requires global collaboration, from medical treatment advancements to public health strategies, education, and advocacy. Dr Kulkarni’s insight underscores the importance of early detection, treatment adherence, and community support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Dr Gowri Kulkarni is Head of Medical Operations at MediBuddy and Dr Daman Ahuja, a public health expert and has been associated with Red Ribbon Express Project of NACO between 2007-12.

At the age of 28, Courtney Paton realized she could never have children. She was medically infertile. This was after years of repeated surgeries, a total of seven, for 'suspected' endometriosis, due to which Dr Simon Gordon, Melbourne-based gynecologist removed both her ovaries and eventually her uterus.

Her story came to light through an investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Company or ABC's Four Corners, an investigation that looked at the treatment she received from Dr Gordon.

Courtney says she trusted the doctor completely. Now she says that trust has been shattered. “I feel completely betrayed by not only Simon Gordon, but by Epworth, by the healthcare system,” she told the program.

A Wrong Diagnosis That Led to Repeated Surgeries

Courtney first had laparoscopic surgery in 2018 with another surgeon, which confirmed she had endometriosis. The condition affects about one in seven Australian women and can cause severe pelvic pain and fertility problems.

Still struggling with pain, she began seeing Gordon in 2019 when she was 21.

Over the next several years she underwent seven surgeries with him. Gordon told her the procedures were necessary to treat severe endometriosis. Courtney and her family paid more than 32,000 Australian dollars for these surgeries alone.

But when investigators asked her to obtain her pathology reports, the results told a very different story. The tissue tests from most of her surgeries showed no evidence of endometriosis.

Despite this, operation reports written by Gordon continued to describe findings consistent with the disease.

Read: A Woman Lost Her Ovary To Endometriosis Surgery After Receiving An Ultimatum From Gynecologist

Removal of Both Ovaries

In 2021 Gordon removed one of Courtney’s ovaries, saying it was stuck to the pelvic wall. Later he removed the second ovary as well.

Independent specialists who reviewed the pathology for the investigation said the ovary appeared normal and there was no clear justification for removing it. One expert described the treatment as “unbelievable” after reviewing the medical records.

Medical guidelines generally advise caution when removing ovaries from young women who may want children in the future.

Read: This Is Endometriosis, A Short Film On Debilitating Health Condition Wins BAFTA Award 2026, Know More

A Hysterectomy At 25

Despite losing both ovaries, Courtney continued to experience pelvic pain. Gordon later advised that she should undergo a hysterectomy.

Concerned, she sought a second opinion from another gynecologist who said the procedure was unnecessary and suggested non surgical treatments.

But after years of pain and repeated surgeries, Courtney says she felt desperate for relief and trusted the doctor who had treated her for so long. Her uterus was removed in 2023 when she was just 25.

Again, pathology results found no evidence of endometriosis.

Investigation and Legal Action

Courtney is now pursuing legal action through a medical negligence claim. The case has also drawn attention from regulators, with investigations underway into Gordon’s conduct.

Australia’s federal health minister Mark Butler described the allegations as “physically sickening”.

For Courtney, the emotional impact remains overwhelming.

“No woman should ever have to endure what I’ve endured,” she said. “I’ve had the opportunity to have a family taken away from me.”

Your DNA, or more specifically your genes, have fascinating interactions with your diet. These interactions are often bidirectional and form the basis of personalized nutrition through genomic biohacks.

This has impressive applications in solving some of the most stubborn health related challenges, including undesirable weight gain and obesity.

Here are the five ways by which your DNA could positively shape your diet:

Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenomics is the mechanism by which your diet affects your genes, and not the other way round. The process has massive implications for your health, and especially over how you can use specific dietary components to protect yourself against serious killer diseases like cancers and issues like faster aging.

Deficiency in key nutrients like Vitamin B9 or folate, Vitamin B12, choline & methionine can cause genomic instability and increased cancer risk.

In contrast, specific foods like curcumin, resveratrol, green tea, broccoli, Brussels sprouts etc can help with genomic stability and help fight inflammation, oxidative stress and cancers.

Nutrigenetics

These are the processes by which your genes affect your diet or consumed food and hence central to our theme here. At times, nutrigenetics is referred to by the wider umbrella term nutrigenomics.

Your gene variants determine how you process specific nutrients, which explains why the same diet works differently for different people. Genetic tests like Eplimo can easily find this out.

For instance, presence of certain variants of the SGK1 gene make those individuals more prone to high blood pressure from salt intake.

Similarly, variants in the FTO gene are strongly linked to obesity risk. Other very common examples are variants in the CYP1A2 gene that determine how fast you metabolize caffeine and mutations in the LCT gene that determines whether you are at risk of lactose intolerance.

Hunger & Satiety Hormones

Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is produced mainly in the stomach and stimulates appetite, increases food intake as well as promotes fat storage.

The production of ghrelin hormone is governed by the GHRL gene, and a common variant in this gene called RS696217 is associated with unnecessary hunger and higher obesity risk.

Similarly, leptin is a hormone produced by the body’s fat tissues and regulates satiety or the feeling of fullness with regard to food.

Production of leptin is governed by the LEP gene, while its utilization is controlled by the LEPR (leptin receptor) gene. Variants in either, especially LEP, can cause severe, early-onset obesity.

Metabolic Pace

Genes play a significant role in determining your metabolic pace. Studies show that genes account for up to 60 percent of the variations seen in the Resting Metabolic Rate between individuals.

RMR is basically a measure of how much calories are burnt while you are sitting or doing light activities.

It is different from Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) that requires fasting and bed rest. Hundreds of genetic variants work together to set your RMR.

These include variants in the UCP1 gene governing thermogenesis or heat production, the MC4R gene that influences how the body burns nutrients for energy, and genes governing mitochondrial efficiency.

Building more muscles is a proven way to counter the negative impact of such variants and boost RMR.

Gut Microbiome

Does your gut microbiome impact your genes more, or does your genes impact your gut microbes more? Definitely, it is the former, which is also a better known mechanism due to that greater impact.

But that doesn’t mean that the reverse impact, from your DNA to your microbiome which accounts for around 10 percent of its composition, is insignificant in any way.

For instance, your specific gene variants determine which bacteria thrive by influencing immune responses, metabolism, and food preferences.

Specific genes, such as the LCT gene, directly correlate with the abundance of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium. Genetics also influence how you digest food and your dietary preferences, which in turn feeds specific bacterial species.

Other genetic factors too have been identified as having strong links to microbial diversity, which is a great marker for not only gut health, but overall health, performance and longevity.

The impact of social media on adolescents’ well-being is significant, said the World Happiness Report 2026 today, warning that the scale of harm is significant enough to affect entire populations.

The annual report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, points to overwhelming evidence of both direct and indirect harm.

Direct harms include exposing them to videos of graphic pornography and real-life violence, facilitating cyberbullying and deepfakes, promoting dangerous “challenges”, connecting them with sexual predators, and facilitating the purchase of illegal drugs.

The indirect harms involve rising levels of depression, anxiety, and reduced life satisfaction.

“The harms and risks to individual users are so diverse and vast in scope that they justify the view that social media is causing harm at a population level,” the report said.

The harmful "experiences are so common that they should also count as ordinary use,” it added.

Notably, the report called the major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X, "dangerous consumer products that harm adolescents at a massive scale”.

“The evidence of harm – both direct and indirect – is so strong and comes from so many sources in so many countries that we believe policymakers around the world now have enough evidence to justify action to protect children and adolescents,” the report said.

In line with this, countries such as Australia and Indonesia recently introduced legislative restrictions on social media use among young people. In India, states including Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have announced bans, while Bihar is considering similar measures.

The report pointed out that social media is causing direct harms to millions of people globally. This includes:

• Addiction and problematic use
• Sleep deprivation
• Sextortion
• Sexual harassment

Impact on Youth Well-being

Research cited in the report shows a clear link between heavy social media use and lower life satisfaction among adolescents. Youth and teens who spent more time on social platforms reported poorer mental well-being compared to those who used less.

Overall, internet use was linked with negative effects, particularly among girls and in countries such as the UK and Ireland. Yet, among those who used the internet for communication, learning, news consumption, and content creation, higher life satisfaction was reported.

The report noted that negative emotions are becoming more common across all regions. Worry increased among young people, while the frequency of anger declined across both younger and older populations.

Despite these trends, positive emotions still occur about twice as often as negative ones globally.

Global Happiness Rankings

Finland has been ranked the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Iceland, Denmark, and Costa Rica. Other countries in the top 10 include Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Israel, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.

In contrast, when measuring changes in happiness among people under 25, countries in the NANZ region -- the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand -- rank much lower, placing between 122 and 133 out of 136 countries.