Hiv : A Modern Atlantian Epidemic

Unfortunately, the number of HIV infection still lingers and thrives on a global scale and in the US. In Los Angeles, approximately 60,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS, and more than 9000 are unaware of their infection status (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 2015). Even with HAART/PrEP and the availability of condoms, more than 1800 additional HIV cases have been reported in 2013 (LACDPH, 2015). The most striking is the presence of HIV positive youths in Los Angeles. LA County Health estimates that 1700 people between ages 13-24 who have HIV/AID, along with another estimated 350 teens who are HIV positive but do not know their status (LACDPH, 2015). The purpose of this proposal is to

When infected by HIV in the early stages the immune system tries fight against the virus which is the cause of the symptoms sufferers start to experience. Once these symptoms begin to leave your body generally suffers do not experience any other symptoms afterwards. However due to the damage done to the immune system after years of suffering from the disease it is likely to experience weight loss, hot sweats, skin issues and serious illnesses. It is vital that when testing for HIV the 5 C’s are followed which have been placed by the world health organisation which are as

The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome denotes a spectrum of conditions that are caused by the HIV virus. Infection with this disease does not result in the instant occurrence of the related signs and symptoms. However, an individual is likely to experience flu-like symptoms after he or she is infected with it. Eventually, the person experiences a prolonged period of apparent health with no visible signs. On progression, the infection adversely interferes with the immune system of the individual. The weakening of the body’s defense system increases the risk of recurrence of common infections and opportunistic illnesses that

According to recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1.2 million individuals in the United States have HIV (about 14 percent of which are unaware of their infection and another 1.1 million have progressed to AIDS. Over the past decade, the number of HIV cases in the US has increased, however, the annual number of cases remains stable at about 50, 000 new cases per year. Within these estimates, certain groups tend to carry the burden of these disease, particularly the gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM) and among race/ethnic groups, Blacks/African American males remain disproportionately affected. (CDC)

Mr. .J. is a 30 year old Caucasian male presented to the Emergency Department with symptoms of myalgia, fever, rash, swollen glands, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Mr. J. reported fever and sore throat started about a week ago and the rash presented today. Mr. J. stated “I thought I had the flu but I am not feeling any better and now I have a rash, that’s why I decided to come to the E.D.”. (Health and Human Services panel, 2013)

Human Immunodefiency Virus has become all too common in my hometown Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Rapidly this city has taken the number one spot leading the nation cases per capita of 100,000 people, according to Rene Taylor, Executive Director of Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge. (Feb., 2018). Baton Rouge holds its highest HIV cases in the North Baton Rouge area, where African Americas account for 95% of the residents. Studies show that age, poverty and education level is concurrent with most people infected with the virus. Baton Rouge has many organizations and government funded programs for all residents but coherence is proven to be low. Therefore, I posed the question: How do we decrease the HIV percental in Baton Rouge? I suggest we decrease the HIV epidemic in Baton Rouge by first, providing mandatory Education and statistics about the virus. Secondly, promoting

It is a virus that desecrates immune systems and can slowly creep upon its victim due to its potential ten year incubation period. You might contract the disease and not even know it. The virus kills by destroying all your disease fighting T cells, leaving your body powerless to foreign pathogens that we are surrounded by everyday.

HIV infections in African American Males have been a national growing problem since the early 1990’s. According to CDC, in the United States, there are more than 1 million people living with HIV. 48 percent are afro American males between the ages 13-44(CDC, 2007). It is estimated that around 1 million people in the United States will be diagnose with HIV in the up coming year with the lifetime risk of becoming infected is 1 in 16 for black males (CDC,2007).

HIV is highly prevalent among the United States population, primarily affecting African Americans of all economic levels and age groups. HIV is transmissible through sexual contact and damages the immune system as it interferes with the individual’s capability to fight off any infections or illnesses. Health inequalities that greatly affect the high rates of HIV include but are not limited to: higher rates of poverty, lack of awareness, intercourse within the same sex, having anxiety towards getting tested for STD’s or HIV, as well as being fearful of “coming out”. Local, state, and nationwide organizations are designed to inform and provide assistance to those who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. S.A.A.F. (Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation)

The state of Georgia is still ranked high for the many HIV/AIDS reported cases.  HIV?AIDS affected gays, teenager and especially African-American women because little is known about family planning. Even though HIV is not considered the primary cause of death for Americans, it is considered the leading cause of death for particular age groups.  The HIV/AIDS budget has decrease and many services had been reduced. Many programs and organization in Georgia like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are developing ways to minimize the spread of this disease, with a requirement of a new approach on prevention, treatments, testing and education those living with HIV often. Not many people living with HIV know the knowledge of transmission

Primary HIV infection is the first stage and only lasts for a few weeks. Flu-like illnesses may be present during this stage. The second stage is known as clinically asymptomatic stage and typically lasts for an average of ten years. Although major symptoms might not exist during this stage, the HIV-positive person may experience swollen glands. Symptomatic HIV infection is the third stage. As the immune system continues to fail, symptoms surface and become miniscule at first then later leading to more prevalent symptoms. This third stage is generally caused by illnesses, involving cancers and infections, which the immune system would normally fight off but is not able to because the immune system is too weak. Finally, AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, develops and is the final stage of HIV. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when they show the symptom called an opportunistic infection. This is when infections take advantage of the weakened immune system. HIV leads into life threatening AIDS and causes the infected individual to feel escalating amounts of pain such as neurotic pain, tremendous headaches, gastrointestinal pain, chest pain, and even emotional pain such as depression. This pain can be intense enough to cease the individual from living a productively normal life. HIV and AIDS can strike anyone at any point in their life and should be taken seriously.

There are three main stages to HIV: acute infection, clinical latency, and AIDS. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, “Within 2-4 weeks after HIV infection, many, but not all, people experience flu-like symptoms…Symptoms can include: Fever, swollen glands, sore throat, rash, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and pains, and headaches.” (How Do You Get HIV or AIDS? Department of Health and Human Services) “Weight loss, chills, and sweats” (What Is AIDS? What Is HIV? – Medical News Today, Medilexicon) are also symptoms of an acute infection. The next stage

According to the Mayo Clinic website, the symptoms of HIV and AIDS differ depending on the person and the stage of the disease. They typical stages are the early stage, the clinical latency stage, or AIDS (the late stage of HIV infection). Discussed below are the symptoms and effects on the body that may be experienced at the different stages. During the early stage of HIV, some people may experience a flu-like illness within 2-4 weeks after HIV infection. The flu-like symptoms can include fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and mouth ulcers. These symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks. After the early stage of HIV infection, the disease moves into a stage called the clinical latency stage (“chronic HIV infection”). During this stage, HIV is still active but reproduces at very low levels. People with chronic HIV infection may not have any HIV-related symptoms, or only mild ones. Eventually the virus weakens the body’s immune system and it progresses to AIDS, which is the late stage of HIV infection. These symptoms can include rapid weight loss;

Not all patients with HIV will have signs or symptoms during the acute infection phase. If a patient is having symptoms they can often times think that they have the flu. Acute HIV infection symptoms can show up 2-4 weeks after exposure and last from a few days to several weeks (Cherney, 2014). If they are exhibiting symptoms they may present as having a fever, swollen lymph nodes, skin rashes, myalgia, diarrhea, oral ulcers or thrush, and fatigue. Lab results may also show leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, or an elevation in transaminase (DHHS, 2015). Differential diagnoses include the flu or Epstein- Barr Virus since these also present with similar symptoms.

The community is already in great danger due to the HIV epidemic. HIV prevention efforts have helped people avoid this infection, but these efforts have not been able to stop this epidemic as a whole. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Johns Hopkins University estimated that the number of people living with HIV would increase as time goes by. Unfortunately, as more people become exposed to HIV, transmission will also increase. This will ultimately increase the need for prevention services and healthcare systems as well as the money invested into finding curable measures for