Hiv / Aids : The Virus And Its Effect On Human

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It can lead to immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. It is caused by the HIV entering the uninfected body and stats to destroy CD4+cells which are there to help the body fight infection and disease (Webmd.com, 2014). Once you have HIV, you have it for life. More than 1.1 million people in United States alone are living with HIV and 1 out of 6 font even know it. About 50,000 people are infected with HIV each year (Cdc.gov, 2014). It is more commonly see in the gay community particularly young black males. In 2011 an estimated that 15,529 people had died. (Aids.gov, 2014)

What is HIV? Depends on the introduction of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “HIV” stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a particular virus that taking over and destroying the immune cell to impair human immune system and only infect mankind. The AIDS that people called frequently is the final stage of HIV infection that stand for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. As a matter of fact, people have detected this disease for several years, but until September 24, 1982, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first time terms “AIDS” for this virus. (AIDS.gov,

HIV stands for (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). If not treated properly, it can be turned into a disease called AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV affects the body's immune system, primarily targeting the T cells. In result of this, the human body is more vulnerable to get more infections

The next stage averages a length of 10 years (Holland, 2013). During this time, many generally lead asymptomatic lives. In the symptomatic stage, the individual’s viral load levels go increasingly high, signifying that the immune system is weakening. Antiretroviral medications will serve as treatment, if it has not already been utilized already. If such medication does not help, or treatment is not sought out, later-stage HIV infection symptoms can manifest. This involves recurring fever, loss of memory, weight loss, and diarrhea for more than a week (Holland, 2013). Since the immune system is compromised, opportunistic infections become far more probable to occur. The last stage involves the progression of HIV to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). If the CD4+ T-cell count goes under 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood, and the individual is diagnosed with a condition related to HIV such as pneumonia, it is indicative of AIDS, generally (Holland, 2013).

It has been over 30 years since the first known cases of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) which is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) was reported. HIV attacks and disables the body 's immune system. The virus attacks, the T lymphocyte (T cell), a type of white blood cell. Formed in the bone marrow the T cell helps the body fight off germs and diseases. Once HIV enters the body, it attacks this cell, copies itself and destroys the cell. Being HIV-positive indicates that a person has been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus but does not yet have AIDS. After the white blood cell is destroyed, the virus moves on to the next healthy cell.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, better known as the acronym HIV is a virus that destroys the immune system and can evolve into an infection. HIV is known a as pandemic because the immune system can fight off the infection but can never clear the HIV out of the body. “HIV is spread through contact with the blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, or breast milk of a person infected with HIV.” [AIDS] According to AIDS.info, in the United States, the virus is usually contracted through vaginal sex, anal sex, and the sharing of injection required drug equipment with a person that is already infected with HIV.

HIV is known as one of the great pandemics in history, and it is most prevalent in western Africa. Even with new scientific discoveries and improved technology, vaccines are consistently unsuccessful because the virus is able to mutate very quickly and make many errors in the process, which makes it extremely difficult for researchers to formulate a vaccine. The virus can be treated with antiretroviral drugs, but many people being treated do not adhere to the regimen, causing the virus to worsen and drug resistant strains to develop. HIV affects people in all parts of the world, and there are many ethical issues regarding the vaccine trials that have been conducted, especially in developing countries.

Blood-borne diseases have contributed greatly to poor health outcomes among individuals and communities. Though blood fulfills various functions to ensure our survival, it can also act as the mechanism through which we become diseased. Understanding the characteristics of such infectious diseases is essential to preventing further cases. In this paper I will discuss how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) uses blood to cause illness within the infected individual and transmit to others. In particular, this paper will assess the implications of HIV/AIDS for individuals, between people, and in societies.

HIV/AIDS is becoming a huge complication around the world. More and more countries that are not commonly known to have an issue with AIDS/HIV are developing epidemics. It is common knowledge that South Africa struggles with an HIV/AIDS epidemic, but a lesser known country affected would be Russia. The epidemic spread in Russia because of drug users, prostitutes, and cultural shame. It spread in South Africa because of African men’s refusal to use condoms and polygamous relationships. There are many misconceptions concerning how each country has dealt with HIV/AIDS. Superficially, it may seem that Russia handled AIDS/HIV better politically than South Africa, mainly because of NGOs and other forces outside of the government, but it is clear through the prevention and treatment programs launched by each country that the South African government handled the situation much better because of the government’s open-mindedness and the detailed plan the country launched that was based on human rights, gender equality, and prevention.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus develops in stages, there are three established stages in total. The stages of HIV infections include the Acute HIV infection, followed by the Clinical Latency phase, eventually the last stage, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is reached. The Acute stage exists between 2-4 weeks after HIV infection when trivial infection symptoms like fever, are symptomatic in some patients. After the Acute stage, the virus develops into the second stage known

“Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is among the greatest threats to health worldwide. In 2005, an estimated 38.6 million people were living with HIV. During 2005 alone, about 4.1 million people became infected and another 2.8 million lost their lives.”1 “With around 15 percent of the population living with HIV. Zimbabwe is experiencing one of the harshest HIV and AIDS epidemics in the world. Between 2002 and 2006, the population is estimated to have decreased by four million people. The country is now seeing an annual growth rate of 2.2 percent. Average life expectancy is just under 53.7. By 2011, there were one million children living in Zimbabwe who had been orphaned as a result

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), and is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. AIDS HIV/AIDS deteriorates a person 's ability to fight infections. It is contracted through unprotected sex or needle sharing. An HIV test checks finding. Medications may subdue the virus and delay the onset of AIDS. HIV/AIDS has had a great impact on society, both as an illness and as a source clear-sightedness. HIV/AIDS cannot be cured but it can be treated, it requires a medical diagnosis, and lab test. (According to 2005-2015 WebMD, “HIV/AIDS Health Center”)

HIV/AIDS is a devastating disease that has predominated in Africa due to the long incubation period of the virus, poverty, sexual promiscuousness, urbanization, trading routes, lack of knowledge, medical advances (use of needles, blood transfusion), and gender inequalities. Although the government denied the existence of HIV/ AIDS for many years, they have begun working towards various solutions such as the ABC (Abstinence, Be faithful, and Condom use) method and United States initiatives like PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). However, there is still more work to be done. Healthcare policies should further HIV prevention interventions, such as providing more access to testing, encouraging behavioral changes (e.g. condom use), and establishing programs that reach and empower women within a patriarchal society. Strengthening the African health system will ultimately reside in strong national leadership and governance in resource-limited settings to improve access and health outcomes for HIV/AIDS patients.

Symptoms of an advanced HIV infection: Recurring fever, chills, dry cough, rashes, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, rapid weight loss, white spots or unusual blemishes in the mouth, memory loss, and depression and other neurological disorders. These symptoms are common once HIV progresses into AIDS. (AIDS.gov; CDC)

The majority of people infected by HIV/Aids develop a flu-like illness within a month or two after the virus enters the body. This sickness, known as primary or acute HIV infection, may last for a only some weeks. Possible symptoms include: