Group Discussion : :AIDS awareness programs

With the help of drugs, most of the diseases caused by the infectious organisms can be controlled. Some of these diseases can be prevented through vaccination. We have succeeded in eradication some deadly diseases like small pox. We are trying to wipe out polio completely. But the field of medicine is perplexed by a new disease, AIDS, which has no known remedy or cure. It is the abbreviation of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The first case was reported in1981 in the USA. Today it has spread over 175 countries of the world, affecting over 22.2 lakhs of persons. Tamil Nadu is one of the worst affected state in India.

AIDS is a highly contagious disease which can be contracted even in the womb. The worst fact is that the carriers do not have symptoms. Transmission of the diseases is through homosexuality, heterosexuality, drug abuse, transfusion of blood and blood product. Infants contract the diseases from affected mothers through the placenta.

A cure for AIDS is still a dream. Therefore AIDS Awareness Programs have become a must. Under the auspices of the science club these program can be conducted. The youth should be advised to avoid free sex. They must be educated about the dangers of drug abuse. They should be informed that they should not use unsterilized syringes. They must be warned about intravenous drug abuse. The dangers of the diseases and the symptoms of the diseases must be highlighted. They should be made to realize the serious threat posed to humanity by AIDS. Tamil Nadu AIDS Control Society and UNICEF, in collaboration with Directorate of Teacher Education, give effective AIDS education, training students of Std IX and XI throughout Tamil Nadu. This is not enough AIDS education must be made a part of the school curriculum right from the standard VI. Like skill can be inculcated in young ones developing love for a disciplined life.