One of the most tragic issues about the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the lack of credible information and genuine understanding that most of us seem to have about the disease. As a result, we leave ourselves exposed to either acquiring the disease, or alienating and stigmatizing those who do have it.

There have been laws passed specifically designed to prevent the stigmatization and discrimination of people who have HIV positive status; however, these laws have not been totally successful in tackling the issue. It would seem that a more holistic approach is required in order to not only raise awareness about the issue so that people can be proactive in preventing it from arising, but also to ensure that they can treat people so infected with sensitivity and compassion.

With that lofty objective in mind, let us now consider the following facts about HIV.

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The Centers for Disease Control has been recommending systematic HIV Testing of every patient who gets admitted into an emergency room. However, many states still oppose this guideline and support the mandate of “informed consent.” Informed consent means that healthcare professionals must explain the purpose of HIV test and get the signature of the patient before going ahead.

HIV Testing and STD testing have always been sensitive issues because of the stigma attached to the sexually transmitted diseases. In order to substantially bring down the increasing number of HIV positive cases added every day, the initiative taken by the Centers for Disease Control is certainly welcome. Yet controversies exist and debates continue whether HIV causes AIDS. Peter H. Duesberg, a professor at the University of California, postulated that HIV is harmless and that the uses of certain recreational drugs, especially of poppers among homosexuals, are the markers for AIDS. However, scientists assert that this theory is flawed and has a potential to greatly endanger global health.

The consensus among healthcare professionals today is that HIV does cause AIDS and any theory to the contrary is a dangerous myth. The fact sheet presented by NIAID clearly states that human immunodeficiency virus causes AIDS in which the immune system of a person is seriously compromised.

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Here’s some good news. The final onslaught in the war against the HIV may come with shortening the Window Period or the latent– deceptive period of the disease- when even +ve appears -ve.

Stimulating Maximal Antibody Response Tube – SMARTube — a simple, yet revolutionary breakthrough in medical technology in the process of being imported for the first time in India may prove to be the ultimate weapon for early warning and detection of HIV & HCV infections in human beings, months before any other known test or diagnostic method.

According to Dr N K Gupta-an internationally reputed NRI doctor, vascular biologist, motivational speaker and President, Society for Medicare – an India based Ngo in the field of medical education, awareness and capacity building to save human lives, Smartube will not only revolutionise the detection of HIV and HCV in India but also help in saving millions of lives.

“It may just be the Smart Solution or Smart Weapon India needs to fight off the smart invaders — the lethal HIV & HCV virus who are masters in the art of camoflage, deception and hidden combat after silently crippling the defenders – inside the human body”, says Dr Gupta.

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