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.

Heart clips—also referred to as heart valve clips—are part of a minimally invasive medical procedure known as Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER). Designed to repair leaking heart valves without open-heart surgery, this advanced treatment restores proper blood flow, relieves debilitating symptoms, and helps patients return to their daily lives.

Understanding Valve Leakage and Symptoms

The heart's valves rely on thin flaps of tissue called leaflets to regulate blood flow.

• The mitral valve (located on the left side of the heart) typically has two leaflets.

• The tricuspid valve (located on the right side of the heart) usually consists of three leaflets.

When a valve is leaking, the leaflets fail to close completely, leaving a gap. Blood leaks backward through this opening toward the lungs, increasing lung pressure and directly causing chronic breathlessness and fatigue.

Also read: 100% Blockage At 18, 25% Patients Under 40: On World Heart Day, Cardiologists Reveal An Alarming Heart Attack Pattern

How the Clip Repair Procedure Works

During a Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair, cardiologists repair the valve using a tiny clip delivered through the vascular system:

1. Catheter Access: Guided by continuous echo imaging, doctors insert a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin and navigate it directly to the heart.
2. Targeting the Valve: The catheter goes to the left side of the heart for a mitral valve repair or to the right side for a tricuspid valve repair.
3. Identifying the Leak: Imaging pinpoints the exact spot where the leaflets fail to seal.
4. Deploying the Clip: The doctor positions and deploys the clip across the leaking gap, grasping the two opposing leaflets and pulling them closer together.
5. Evaluating the Seal: Before releasing the clip completely, doctors perform an echocardiogram to confirm that the clip is strongly anchored, that the backward leak is fixed, and that the risk of clip detachment (embolization) is negligible.

Immediate Relief and Long-Term Healing

Once the clip brings the leaflets together, backward leakage stops immediately, allowing the entire volume of blood to pump forward as intended.

• 24-Hour Recovery: Pressure inside the lungs drops rapidly once the leak is sealed. Many patients notice a dramatic improvement in their breathing within 24 hours of the procedure.

• 3 to 6 Month Integration: Over a period of three to six months, surrounding heart tissue naturally grows over the clip (endothelialization), permanently integrating it into the heart structure.

Smooth Hospital Stay and Recovery

Because the procedure is catheter-based rather than open-chest, patient recovery is remarkably swift:

• In-Room Extubation: Patients are taken off the ventilator right on the procedure table.

• Minimal Closure Site: The groin entry point is closed cleanly using specialized sutures (such as ProGlide or a figure-of-eight suture).

• Quick Discharge: Patients typically spend just one day in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before moving to a standard room, after which they can return home and resume normal daily activities.

Frequent cannabis use may worsen epilepsy-related symptoms, new research. It discovered that raised that people with drug-resistant epilepsy who used cannabis often had more frequent convulsive seizures and sought advanced epilepsy care much sooner than non-users.

Published in Epilepsia, the study analysed health records of 64 adults with drug-resistant epilepsy. It found that frequent cannabis users reached an intensive epilepsy monitoring stage an average of five years after their first seizure, compared to 18 years reported among non-users.

The difference of 13 years is attention-worthy but it must be noted that the study shows an association, not proof that cannabis worsens epilepsy.

Seizures Doubled In Cannabis Users With Epilepsy

Researchers compared 22 people who used cannabis at least 20 days a month to 42 people who did not.

The frequent users reported to have a heavier burden of seizure, one of the symptoms of epilepsy. They had more than twice as many convulsive seizures per year than non-users.

About 91% of frequent cannabis users experienced convulsive seizures, compared to roughly half of the non-users.

Seizures involve stiffening and jerking of the body and loss of consciousness. They constitute medical emergency as they are associated with sudden death in epilepsy.

Also read: Does Cannabis Really Help You Sleep? Experts Say It Is Complicated

What Does Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Mean?

Epilepsy is considered drug-resistant when seizures continue despite appropriate treatment with two antiseizure medications.

People with drug-resistant epilepsy may need to visit specialised epilepsy centres, where doctors can monitor them and recommend changes in medication, surgery, or other treatment options. In this study, frequent cannabis users reached this stage much earlier.

They were also discharged from hospital after taking an average of 3.05 antiseizure medications, compared with 2.21 among non-users.

Also read: Why Can’t Millennials Sleep? The Crisis Keeping An Entire Generation Up At Night

Cannabis & Epilepsy

This was a retrospective study based on health records of a small sample size. There may be other differences between people who used cannabis often and those who did not that could affect the severity of the seizures.

However, researchers were able to establish the timing of cannabis use for 15 of the 22 users. All 15 had started using cannabis before their first seizure, making it less likely that they had simply begun using cannabis to cope with an already existing seizure disorder.

The researchers say larger studies can determine whether cannabis contributes to worsening seizures.

The association between cannabis and seizures is complicated as CBD (cannabidiol) is reported to have beneficial effect on severe epilepsy.

To understand the seeming contradiction, we must understand the distinction between cannabis and purified cannabidiol (CBD).

A purified form of CBD is an approved treatment for certain severe forms of epilepsy. CBD is different from THC, the psychoactive element responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis. Recreational cannabis products may contain high concentrations of THC.

According to the researchers, animal studies suggest CBD can suppress seizures, while THC may have the opposite effect.

Hence, evidence that a specific CBD-based medicine can help certain epilepsy syndromes cannot be used to conclude that recreational cannabis is an epilepsy treatment.

Researchers suggest that THC acts on receptors concentrated in brain regions involved in seizures, raising the possibility that cannabis could influence how brain circuits fire. But this is a hypothesis that needs further investigation.

A stroke changes the life of a person in an instant, making everyday activities like walking, talking, or even holding a cup difficult. But strokes do not always mean these challenges are permanent. Many people recover lost abilities and enhance their lives with timely treatment, proper rehabilitation and continued support.

A stroke occurs when blood stops flowing to the brain or a blood vessel in the brain bursts, cutting off oxygen to brain cells. It can cause weakness or paralysis, speech problems, poor balance, or memory issues, or trouble swallowing, depending on the part of the brain that is affected.

Tips to Support Recovery from Stroke

• Begin rehabilitation immediately after a stroke
• Attend Physiotherapy and speech Therapy sessions regularly
• Take prescribed medications as directed.
• Keep blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol under control.
• Have a healthy and nutritious diet to restore energy.
• Stay physically active
• Seeking emotional and psychological support

Also read: 100% Blockage At 18, 25% Patients Under 40: On World Heart Day, Cardiologists Reveal An Alarming Heart Attack Pattern

The Treatment Journey:

Timely Medical Care Makes a Big Difference

Patients who reach the hospital within a certain time may be eligible for clot-busting medications or clot removal procedures. These procedures restore blood flow, reduce brain damage and increase the likelihood of faster recovery.

Rehabilitation starts immediately after stroke

Stroke care extends beyond emergency treatment. Rehabilitation begins within 24 hours after a stroke when the patient is medically stable. A team of specialists, including neurologists, physiotherapists, and speech therapists, works together to help the patient regain function, rebuild confidence and return to everyday activities as soon as possible.

Physical Therapy to Rebuild Body Movement and Independence

When a stroke happens, muscles on one side of the body may become weak or paralysed, affecting the patient's strength, balance, coordination, posture, and walking.

Physiotherapy consists of a series of exercises, muscle training and mobility techniques that enhance mobility of the body and improve functional independence. Many patients can perform activities with greater ease with regular rehabilitation.

Also read: Weekend Workouts: Why Sudden Intense Exercise May Put Stress on Your Heart

Enhancing communication and cognitive skills

After a stroke, some patients have problems talking, speaking, swallowing, remembering or concentrating. Speech and language therapy are used to help with communication and safe swallowing, and cognitive rehabilitation is used to support memory, attention, reasoning and problem solving. These therapies assist patients in re-entering the workforce, social circles and independent living more smoothly.

Modern Rehabilitation Methods for Better Recovery

Advances in rehabilitation have expanded the range of therapies available to support stroke recovery.

Techniques like robot-assisted rehabilitation, functional electrical stimulation (FES), virtual reality-based therapy, constraint-induced movement therapy, balance training systems and computer-assisted gait training complement conventional rehabilitation very well. These methods provide repetitive, targeted exercises that promote functional improvement in the brain and body.

Managing Ongoing Challenges

After a stroke, some patients have muscle stiffness (spasticity), chronic pain or trouble walking or moving their hands. They are treated with medications, injections and continued rehabilitation therapy.

Recovery from a stroke is much better with proper rehabilitation. While some regain most of their abilities, others continue to need support, making patience and consistency just as important as medical help. The right care at the right time makes a big difference in rebuilding your life.

By Dr. (Lt Gen) CS Narayanan, VSM, Chairman - Manipal Institute of Neuro Sciences, Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi