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Responding to HIV in Africa 非洲對愛滋病的回響

(added on 2010/11/30)

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Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is important in prolonging life and reducing complications in patients with HIV infection. This applies to any country and Africa is no exception. As depicted by graduated colours, Botswana and Rwanda have achieved the target of universal access by providing more than 80% of the patients in need with ART. However, the estimated ART coverage has remained below 50% in most other African countries.

In the same map, the cross symbol shows the accessibility to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for vulnerable subpopulations in 2010. As reported by the government and civil society of each country, obstacles in form of laws, regulations or policies are more common in Southern Africa, where more efforts are required before universal access can be achieved. This in fact is the theme of World AIDS Day 2010.

Data for the map is obtained from World Health Organization and UNAIDS.

抗病毒藥物治療對延長愛滋病毒感染者壽命及減低併發症機會極為重要，非洲亦不例外。依圖中顏色所示，波札那及盧旺達已能達致普及目標，為超過80%的有需要病人提供抗病毒藥物治療。可是，大部分非洲國家的抗病毒藥物治療覆蓋率仍低於一半。

另外，地圖中叉字型記號顯示2010年非洲弱勢社群的愛滋病預防、治療、護理及支援的可及性。根據各國政府及民間團體的報告，非洲南部在法律、條例或政策上的障礙較多，顯示該地區或需要更多的努力才能達致普及治療的目標。這亦是2010年世界愛滋病日主題。

地圖數據源自世界衛生組織及聯合國愛滋病規劃署。

HIV infection 人類免疫力缺乏病毒感染

What is HIV/ AIDS? 什麼是人類免疫力缺乏病毒感染/愛滋病?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects cells of the human immune system, destroying or impairing their function. In the early stages of infection, there is no symptom. As HIV infection progresses, the immune system becomes weaker, thereby increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
The most advanced stage of HIV infection is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In the absence of treatment, 50% of the infected individuals progress to AIDS. The use of antiretroviral drugs can reverse the immune deficiency.
人類免疫力缺乏病毒(HIV)是一種感染人類免疫細胞，從而破壞人體免疫系統的反轉病毒。在感染初期，患者可以完全沒有任何病癥。但在感染後期，患者的免疫力會被削弱，容易被其它機會性感染影響。
愛滋病(後天免疫力缺乏症候群) 是人類免疫力缺乏病毒感染的後期嚴重階段。在沒有接受治療的情況下，平均一半感染者在十年內發病，成為愛滋病患者。抗病毒藥物治療可以有效恢復患者免疫能力。

How does HIV spread? 如何傳播？

HIV is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse (heterosexuals and homosexuals), transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, sharing of contaminated needles in injection drug users, and between a mother and her infant during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
HIV的傳播途徑包括不安全性接觸 (異性及同性) ，輸入受污染血液或血制品、靜脈吸毒者共用針筒、和母嬰傳播（懷孕、分娩、和哺乳期間）。

Vaccine? Prevention? 如何預防？

A safe and effective vaccine is still under development. The practice of safer sex with the use of condom is one most effective means of preventing HIV infection through sex. Avoidance of needle sharing is important in injection drug users, whereas antiretroviral treatment can be effective in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission.
預防疫苗至今仍在研究中。現時最有效的預防性傳播方法是採用安全性行為，包括使用安全套。吸毒者應避免共同使用針具，而抗病毒藥物則可以有效預防母嬰傳播。

HIV-related stigma and discrimination 愛滋病相關的標籤及歧視

Stigma and discrimination might make people living or associated with HIV and AIDS less likely to test for the infection, disclose one's HIV status, adopt HIV preventive measures or have access to treatment. They are therefore barriers to effective responses to HIV.

World AIDS Day falls on the 1st of December every year. For 2009-2010, the theme is "Universal Access and Human Rights", drawing global attention to human rights of people living with HIV and vulnerable population, mobilizing support for universal access of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and combating stigma and discrimination.

標籤和歧視是對抗愛滋病的障礙。這些現象令愛滋病患者或相關人士抗拒接受愛滋病毒抗體測試、透露自己的愛滋病毒感染狀況、採取預防愛滋病的措施或尋求治療。

每年的十二月一日是世界愛滋病日。2009至2010年度的主題為「普遍可及和人權」，旨在令全球注意到愛滋病患者及弱勢社群的人權，鼓勵動員支持愛滋病的預防、治療、護理及支援，消除公眾對愛滋病患者的標籤及歧視。