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Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV) is a retrovirus infecting cells of the human immune system,
destroying or impairing their function. Once the infection develops
further, the immune system becomes weaker and leaves individuals more
susceptible to infections or tumors. The most advanced form of HIV
infection however, is commonly known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome,
or AIDS.
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HIV/AIDS can be
transmitted through a variety of ways. The modes of transmission are
divided into three main categories:
 Person-to-person contact, including
unprotected sexual intercourse;
Blood transmission, such as contaminated
needles, syringes among drug users;
Vertical transmission, also known as,
maternal-child transmission through pregnancy,
breast-feeding
and other infected blood contact.
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Over the last ten years, Thailand has shown significant
success with HIV prevention in which the number of new HIV infections has declined.
Nevertheless, changing cultural and lifestyle dynamics within the country
have caused shifts in the pattern of HIV transmission. The country
continues to focus on the use of public education communication measures, promoting
safe behaviours together with the improvement of
existing health services, to continuously decrease the number of new
infections. On the treatment side,
health care services, including the provision of anti-retroviral agents to
all HIV/AIDS patients, are universally covered. Moreover, the Thai
government continues to push for changes in economic, social and security
policies to minimise the risk for vulnerable
groups such as female and male sex workers, injecting drug users, men who
have sex with men (MSM) and migrant workers.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus
infecting cells of the human immune system, destroying or impairing their
function. Once the infection develops further, the immune system becomes
weaker and leaves individuals more susceptible to infections or tumors. The
most advanced form of HIV infection however, is commonly known as Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS.
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