Summary Of The Documentary 'How To Survive A Plaque'

Endgame: AIDS in Black America is a 2-hour documentary that described the history of the AIDS epidemic in the United States particularly certain states in the 1980s and 90s. The documentary showed various stories and ways in which individuals caught the virus. Activists, doctors, social works all educate and promote the need for funding for treatment, to expand the AIDS definition to include women, to promote safe sex education in schools and the community; encouraging abstinence and safe sex. In addition, providing clean syringes to individuals who have substance use disorder, primarily crack/cocaine and encouraging the use of condoms in prisons.

As decades pass, it becomes evident that medical research plays a vital role in saving lives and containing deadly epidemics. Without the advancement of modern medicine, these lethal diseases could undeniably erase mankind in its entirety. AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, was the fire that medical researchers were trying to contain since the first reported case of AIDS swept across American headlines on June 5, 1981 (“Timeline”). As mentioned in the Billy Joel’s song “We Didn’t Start The Fire,” AIDS played an influential role in shaping modern medicine and treatment. Acquired immune deficiency puzzled researchers from the start, however, physicians discovered the origin, method of transfer, treatment, and containment methods for

Anyone who enters cannot leave the cell and therefore once an individual is infected, then, death is the only next probable thing. This painting attracted views from all persons and groups in our society after they realized that handling and addressing the AIDS epidemic is a collective responsibility. Discussions of disease, death, race, sex, drug addiction and homosexuality which are shunned by polite individuals became common topics (Mahoney, n.p.). Gatewood created a scenario where everyone had to acknowledge that the AIDS epidemic was now a threat that needed to be addressed immediately. Humanity ought to give the AIDS epidemic the weight it deserves by advocating everyone to play their role in this collective responsibility of reducing infections and deaths caused by the spread of HIV. Gatewood wanted humanity to realize the price they have to pay for their prudishness and ignorance of AIDS as a killer

Throughout the Age of AIDS film many topics that were related to AIDS were brought up that I did not know anything about before. I did not know that there could so many strings attached to a disease and have such an influence in people’s lives whether it was negative or positive.

In the documentary “The Age of AIDS,” FRONTLINE examines the outbreak of AIDS since its first diagnosed case in 1981. The film investigates different medical, political and social environments under AIDS pandemic in the US and worldwide. The film not only focuses on the scientific research and progress in treating the disease, it also looks at the social stigma, government strategies and public campaigns around different countries.

One important scene in the film ‘The Age of Aids’ is “Port Au Prince, Haiti”. In this scene it outlines the conditions in Haiti, which were very poor and it turn left the city defenseless against the new disease. In 70’s and 80’s the disease began to be seen by doctors and priests who were being sought after to cure a unseen disease which left the people with the “look of death, [making them] so skinny you could see their bones”. The scene then goes on to take a look at one of the first HIV clinics in Port Au Prince, which was opened in the roughest parts of town. One of the surprising things that this clinic found when they were looking at the patients coming in was that the mean they were analyzing had more

The article is conveying how orphans live and are affected by AIDS taking one, both or a loved one who is afflicted with AIDS. Surviving the death of a loved one ensures a hard life that is vividly verbalized by the orphans. VanRooyen, Frood, & Ricks will follow an organized and appropriate presentation of these orphans that live in sub-Saharan Africa.

When the AIDS and HIV virus crept its way into the human-race, it quickly, and without warning, claimed the lives of millions. Then when its destructive wake had finally been abated, it left behind several untold mysteries. Throughout the course of this class, all the new material we have been exposed to has added some unique piece to the puzzle of the AIDS epidemic. Each puzzle pieces have ranged from speculations on how the AIDS epidemic had begun, to what exactly has the epidemic done. We have also tackled the question and how it forced a change in society. Our newest piece of the puzzle is the documentary “The Age of AIDS,” by William Cran. Although this documentary did not surprise me in its content, it did, however, affirm certain types

According to a report published in the February 1998 edition of “Nature”, scientists identified what they believe is the earliest case of AIDs in a man from the Congo in 1959. (Lerner and Hombs 39) By the end of the year 1980, 80 men would have been diagnosed with at least of the opportunistic infections that are a characteristic of AIDs. (Lerner and Hombs 40) AIDs cases in the 1980s increased dramatically not only around the world but in the United States, primarily in larger cities like Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco. The numbers of AIDs diagnoses and deaths spiraled out of control throughout the 1980s and towards the end of 1989 there were 117,500 cases of AIDS reported and 89,000 related deaths.(Lerner and Hombs 54) In the

In the film, “Age of AIDS”, there were several scenes that were quite impactful. In my opinion, the three most powerful scenes in the documentary film were: President Ronald Reagan‘s speech about transmitting HIV (1a), William Dodge triple cocktail trail (1b) and Bill Clinton’s handshake with HIV positive man in the Chinese conference (1c). These sections in the documentary were instrumental in conveying a compelling story about the effects of AIDS.

With an increasing in life expectancy from the medication comes the increase in quality of life according to the documentary. In a medium close up shot the documentary introduces a Bwalya Margaret Liteta an 11-year-old girl living with HIV/AIDS. She speaks about how she loves school but is unable to attend and or see her friends due to her illness. This is done to show how HIV/AIDS also affects the lives child and without an education this little girl will be stuck in the cycle of poverty. Bwalya is later interviewed post ARV looking health and playing with her friends. This shows the audience that with ART the quality of life for this little girl has improved for she is able to play with her friends and get an education. They also interview Concillia Muhau who speaks on her state before and after ART, “The way I was feeling in May, it was like I was already dead…there was nothing that I could do for myself. I could not feed myself properly, I wasn’t able to do anything for my daughter” (The Lazarus Effect 2010, 14:11). While speaking on her state pre-treatment the documentary used cutaway shot of someone sitting next to her handing her her purse. This was done to show the reality of what she was saying. Live with HIV/AIDS and not on medication Concillia was unable to take care of her daughter let alone herself and therefore had reply on others. But post ARV everything changed. “…And after I started my medication, it was like I was being resurrected from the bed I was

Nowadays, AIDS it is not only a problem of the drug-addicts and prostitutes but the children and old people. It has been adapted in society without asking a person's age or an outlook. Today, it is not a problem of morality but all the humanity without exception. In the early 1970s', the scientists has just started investigating the issue. A lot of people died before the

HIV is a quite detrimental virus that has caused much disruption during the 1980’s when it came to life. HIV is “one of the fastest evolving of all organisms” (Rambaut A. ET. Al. 2004) HIV has found ways in which to resist drugs and shows evolutionary mechanisms. The HIV virus has also

A life-changing pandemic has effected millions across the world. It has plagued many people addicted to drugs, many who practice unsafe sex, or even the innocent health care worker. Some people may sadly consider their lives extinguished upon contraction of the in-curable virus, others will not let the infection rule their lives. However, the infection is no long-er considered a death sentence in contrast to what many may believe. Many people are igno-rant of the virus and continue to believe what was shared many years ago. What is HIV/AIDS, and what is its history? What is its effects on the body? How can it be, not cured, but treated? Who is at higher risk for a possible infection? Are there any possible cures in the making?

HIV has been a pandemic that has affected the world relentlessly for many years in a never-ending circle. HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is the virus that is spread through certain bodily fluids and can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV attacks the immune system by destroying CD4+ T cells, which leaves the person infected with HIV vulnerable to other infections, diseases, and other complications.1 Once this virus is acquired, the human can never fully rid itself of this pathogen. If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4+ cells in the body whom sole duty is to protect the body from infections. 2 Many scientists have postulated on where the virus was first introduced. It has been assumed that the virus was first encountered humans whom were hunting and eating chimpanzees in Central Africa and the virus has spread like wildfire since then. Data over the years have shown that the virus has existed within the United States since at least the mid to late 1970s. 3 No effective cure for HIV currently exist although many vaccine studies are underway around the world, but with the proper treatment and medical care provided by the medical team, HIV can be controlled and have low transmission rates. The medicine we use to treat HIV is referred to as antiretroviral therapy or ART. When a person infected HIV adheres to the medication correctly, it will allow for them to live longer and have healthier lives. 2