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World AIDS Day 2018: Myths and facts about HIV

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8 years ago

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World AIDS Day 2021: Why HIV virus is still a pandemic? What is the status of HIV in India?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The theme of the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day, which shows support for people living with HIV and commemorates those who have died, is “Know your Status.”

According to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), people between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. HIV testing allows you to know for sure whether the virus is there in your body or not, and seek medical help if you are HIV-positive, or continue taking steps to avoid getting the deadly virus.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which enters the body from outside.

This virus affects our immunity system and decreases the ability of the body to defend itself against infections and diseases. HIV virus is transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids or even breast milk.

As sexual transmission is one of the ways the HIV infection spreads, along with the fact that it remains incurable so far, there is a certain social stigma attached to HIV positive patients.

Here are some myths that people believe HIV can spread through –

  • They think HIV/AIDS is spread by kissing and hugging.
  • Another false belief is that you can get HIV by sharing food or water.
  • You can contract HIV/AIDS if someone sneezes or coughs.
  • People think HIV can be spread by mosquito bite.
  • One of the biggest false beliefs is that you can’t have a baby if you are HIV positive.

Here are some facts to break these myths –

  • AIDS cannot be transmitted by sharing food and eating utensils with HIV positive person.
  • HIV cannot spread through saliva (Kissing), hugging or shaking hands.
  • The myth that women with HIV cannot have a baby is false. There are a number of options for women who are HIV positive to have healthy babies. HIV positive women who become pregnant are encouraged to speak with their doctor about the best treatment options available. Early prenatal care is important to reduce the likelihood of mother to child transmission.
  • It cannot spread through the sweat of infected person.
  • AIDS is not caused by mosquito bite.

Some numerical data facts about AIDS –

  • About 35 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since 1981, including 940,000 in 2017.
  • Every week, almost 7,000 young women aged between 15 and 24 are infected with HIV.
  • An estimated 77 million people have become infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic in 1981, including 1.8 million in 2017.
  • South Africa has the world’s highest HIV prevalence, with almost one in five people infected.
  • United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) wants nine in 10 people to know their status by 2020.

We need to support the HIV campaign of this year “Know your status,” and let the mission UNAIDS be successful.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Indian-origin astronaut Anil Menon begins first mission to International Space Station

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has launched aboard Soyuz MS-29 on his first mission to the International Space Station, where he is expected to spend around eight months conducting research.

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2 weeks ago

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July 14, 2026

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Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has embarked on his first journey into space after successfully launching aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).

The mission lifted off from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:17 PM on Tuesday. Menon was accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina as the three-member crew began their expedition to the orbiting laboratory.

Crew to spend about eight months aboard ISS

The Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft is expected to dock with the International Space Station a little over three hours after launch. Once aboard the ISS, the crew will carry out a range of scientific research and technology demonstration projects during their mission.

The expedition is scheduled to last approximately eight months, with the crew expected to return to Earth in 2027 after completing their planned activities in orbit.

Menon’s maiden spaceflight marks a significant milestone in his astronaut career as he joins the International Space Station crew for long-duration research and operational work.

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Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to meet PM Modi after return from historic space mission

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, will meet PM Modi this evening. Parliament will also hold a special discussion on his historic journey.

Published

11 months ago

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August 18, 2025

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Subhanshu shukla

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening at his official residence in New Delhi.

PM Modi to host meeting with astronaut

According to officials, the meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg is expected to take place between 5 pm and 5:30 pm. Shukla, who arrived in India on Sunday, will also be part of the National Space Day celebrations scheduled for August 23.

Warm welcome in India

The astronaut was greeted at the airport by his family, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and hundreds of citizens waving the national flag. Shukla had been in the United States for a year, preparing for the Axiom-4 mission, which launched from Florida on June 25 and docked at the ISS the next day. He served as the mission’s pilot.

Emotional note from Shukla

Before his return, Shukla shared an emotional post on Instagram, expressing mixed feelings of leaving his space colleagues while being eager to meet his loved ones and people of India. He also quoted a song from the film Swades, which he had chosen as his anthem on the launch day.

Parliament session on India’s space journey

In honour of Shukla’s mission, the Lok Sabha is holding a special session today to discuss “India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS – critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047.” Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the discussion would highlight the importance of India’s space achievements and future goals.

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Shubhanshu Shukla pens emotional note as he returns to India after space mission

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla penned an emotional Instagram post as he returned to India after his 18-day ISS mission, marking a milestone in India’s space journey.

Published

11 months ago

on

August 16, 2025

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Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has shared an emotional Instagram post as he heads back home after completing his 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Astronaut reflects on mixed emotions

In his heartfelt message, written from the aircraft, Shukla expressed the whirlwind of emotions he felt while leaving behind his fellow astronauts, who had been his family during the mission. “As I sit on the plane to come back to India, I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past year during this mission. I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is — everything all at once,” he wrote.

Acknowledges support and inspiration

The astronaut thanked everyone for the love and support he received throughout his journey. He also recalled the words of his commander Peggy Whitson, saying, “Goodbyes are hard, but we need to keep moving in life. As my commander Peggy Whitson fondly says, ‘The only constant in spaceflight is change’. I believe that applies to life as well.”

Shukla ended his note with a line from the song Yun Hi Chala Chal from the film Swades, reflecting his spirit of resilience.

Link to India’s space ambitions

Shukla’s return comes at a crucial time as India advances its space programme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier mentioned that the astronaut would soon return and that he was tasked with documenting his training and ISS stay. This record will serve as a valuable reference for Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission.

Over the past year, Shukla trained extensively at NASA, Axiom, and SpaceX facilities. His flight to the ISS as part of the Axiom 4 mission marked a milestone in India’s preparations for future human space exploration.

The Gaganyaan project aims to send Indian astronauts into orbit aboard an indigenous rocket. The government has also outlined plans for a Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and a crewed mission to the moon by 2040.

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