HIV / AIDS
The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Once infection takes place, the HIV virus gradually inhibits the immune system response so that the body is more susceptible to disease. Medications can be taken to slow down the progress of the HIV virus. AIDS is usually the final stage in the degeneration of the immune system, the point at which the afflicted individual can no longer stave off illness, infection or tumor growth. No known cure exists for HIV / AIDS and prevention is the only means to curtail the pandemic. As of 2007, between 30.3 and 36.1 million people worldwide are living with HIV / AIDS; since the disease was discovered and classified in 1981, more than 25 million people have died of AIDS (Avert).
AIDS most likely did come from monkeys. The HIV virus is closely related to the same virus manifest in Simian populations: Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV). However, it is unknown exactly how the SIV virus first transmitted to humans. Vaccinations contaminated with SIV, consumption of contaminated meat, and other means of contact with monkey blood are possible origins of the HIV virus. Although AIDS was first discussed in medical literature in 1981, recent evidence proves the HIV virus existed long before. The first documented infection, based on plasma samples, was from 1959 (Avert).
The three most direct modes of HIV transmission between humans include sex, blood transfusions or needle sharing, and mother to infant. The HIV virus cannot survive long without a host body. Transmission therefore requires fresh bodily fluids and yet HIV cannot be transmitted via mosquitoes.
HIV / AIDS carries an enormous social stigma as psychologically devastating as the disease is physically fatal. Because the first medically chronicled cases of HIV / AIDS were gay men, the disease became synonymous with homosexuality. Homophobia fueled fears of the disease and simultaneously stymied efforts to increase public awareness of its devastating effects on all persons. In sub-Saharan Africa, almost 60% of adults living with AIDS are female.
References
Avert. Web site retrieved Nov 18, 2008 at http://www.avert.org/worldstats.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Retrieved Nov 18, 2008 at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/basic/index.htm
There are various blood tests used to detect HIV, of which the most frequently used is enzyme immunoassay, and if the presence of antibodies is detected, the blood is further tested with the Western blot method (AIDS). A test that measure the viral genes in the blood is has proven helpful in assessing treatment efficacy (AIDS). Although there is no cure for AIDS, there are a number of drugs available,
A person infected with HIV is able to transmit the virus to others at any time, as it is impossible to totally rid the body of the virus. There is currently no cure for HIV. Drugs used to treat HIV may be able to decrease the number of the virus by 99.9%, but they are unable to get rid of it completely. Even though it is less likely, with a
HIV / AIDS on American Society What is HIV and where did it come from? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (a primary source) explains that HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, and once a person acquires this virus, "…you have it for life" (CDC). There is no effective cure, that is the bad news; but the better news according to the CDC is that HIV "…can be
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HIV Infection A medical condition in which the immune system is destroyed by a virus called as Human Immune Deficiency Virus is known as HIV infection. The loss of immune function deteriorates the ability of the body to fight against various types of pathogenic infections (caused by harmful micro-organisms) (Quinn). The virus attacks the immune cells of the body which are basically the white blood cells (CD4 T cells) due to
In addition, the state sponsors numerous community-based organizations and local county health departments that use evidence-based prevention interventions (AIDS surveillance data, 2012). The Florida State Department of Health reports that, "Evidence-based interventions are grounded in behavior change theory and have been proven scientifically to have significant impact on changing behavior, when implemented correctly. HIV / AIDS prevention agencies are funded through the department's HIV Prevention grant from the Centers
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