1st December, World AIDS Day, is a crucial occasion for remembering the more than 45 million people who have died from HIV-related causes and for renewing our support for the millions of people living with the virus today.
“The disease, which was once feared and often fatal, is now a manageable condition thanks to antiretroviral therapy. This is an extraordinary achievement which has saved countless lives”, explains Professor Daniele Armenia, a lecturer in virology at UniCamillus.
However, HIV remains an incurable infection, and without an effective vaccine, “we must remain focused on prevention, early diagnosis, and access to treatment”, Armenia warns.
“At a global level, the virus continues to cause more than 700,000 deaths each year, including around 60,000 children. In Italy, the situation is under control, but the reduction in new diagnoses has stalled. After falling from 4,500 cases in 2012 to around 1,500 in 2020, there was a new increase until 2023, and stabilised in 2024. Last year, 2,379 new diagnoses were reported, and an estimated 150,000 people are currently living with HIV in Italy”, explains the virologist.
The most worrying data concerns late diagnoses. “In 2024, nearly half of new cases were diagnosed only after symptoms of immunosuppression had appeared”, points out Professor Armenia, “while only a fifth of people were tested after engaging in risky sexual behaviour. This suggests that many people are unaware of the risk and may unknowingly transmit the virus”.
“Ignorance remains one of the main drivers of HIV transmission”, Professor Armenia continues. ‘It’s frustrating because we now have extremely effective prevention tools”. For this reason, “we need to strengthen awareness-raising campaigns and overcome the taboos that still stand in the way of proper sex education”.
Today, powerful tools are available, “such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which can prevent infection in those most at risk. To obtain it, you need to see a specialist doctor, who will assess your suitability for treatment and provide ongoing monitoring and prescribe it accordingly”. In addition to PrEP, there is now also PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), a treatment that can prevent HIV infection if started within 72 hours of risky contact. It is therefore essential to seek immediate medical attention or go to the emergency department (A&E), where the need for treatment will be assessed and monitored.
However, Armenia points out that in order to access these resources, it is essential that everyone is able to live their sexuality consciously, without fear or stigma, and aware of the concrete possibilities for protecting their own health and that of others.
“At UniCamillus, we work tirelessly to train medical professionals in HIV and other major infectious diseases. Our courses and research activities focus on prevention, early diagnosis, and combating stigma. This is a commitment that we have pursued for years and will continue to strengthen. We have a responsibility to train tomorrow’s medical professionals and healthcare workers, equipping them with solid scientific knowledge and a practical sensitivity towards prevention, early diagnosis, information, and support for people living with HIV. Investing in training means investing in public health, and this is our daily commitment”, concludes Professor Armenia.