AIDS

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is the name of a deadly disease that destroys the immunity system of a person and leads him to sure death. The virus causing AIDS is known as HIV -- Human Immune Deficiency Virus. AIDS became a clinic disease in 1981 in USA. There are nearly five million AIDS patients throughout the world. It is still an incurable disease. Hectic efforts to find a remedy for it are afoot. Without proper blood tests, it is difficult to diagnose it because its symptoms are confused with weight loss, night sweats, profound fatigue, anemia, skin rashes, tumor, episodes of fever, pneumonia, etc. This deadly disease is spreading like a bush-fire throughout the world particularly in those countries where free sex is common. Pakistan is also not free from AIDS. The official count of AIDS patient in Pakistan lies at 5000 and an estimated twenty to thirty thousand. Unless checked on war-footing, the situation will become even worse.

Many factors contribute to AIDS First, it is the result of sexual intercourse with the affected person male or female, Secondly, sharing of contaminated and affected needles, razors and other such affected mothers may pass the virus on to their babies. Besides, prostitution, homo-sexuality, extra-martial relations, pollution of mind, detachment from religion and morality, etc contribute to AIDS. No doubt, AIDS is the curse of God on the modern derailed humanity that has crossed all limits of morality.

AIDS is full of harms and disadvantages. First of all, it destroys a person physically and mentally and ultimately leads him to miserable death within two years. Second, it brings about the loss of the social prestige of a person. Its patient is considered sinful, immoral, pious, unfaithful, unwanted, leper, mean, etc. Third, its treatment costs a lot of money consequently putting a heavy financial burden on the family. Fourth, it can destroy the infrastructure if the country if its skilled and semi-skilled about force falls a prey to AIDS. Fifth, AIDS can affect the cultural development, tourism industry and international image and relations of an affected country. The other countries may boycott such a country resulting in great economic and financial loss to the country. Above all, the fear of catching AIDS at random has deprived the people of mental peace.