The Epidemic Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus

The term Human Immunodeficiency Virus is commonly known as (HIV), which is a virus that attacks the immune system of humans by destroying the amount of CD4 cells in their bodies. Without CD4 the human body is unable to fight against diseases, which can lead to Acquired Immune deficiency syndrome known as AIDS for short. The first case of the HIV/AIDS virus in the U.S. occurred in the early 1980’s. The first spark of the virus was found in San Francisco with couple of homosexual Caucasian American males. Today African Americans account for the largest proportion of HIV and AIDS in this country, represent approximately 13% of the U.S. population, but accounted for an estimated 44% of new HIV infections in 2010(the last year a study was

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection is a long-term (chronic) viral infection. HIV kills white blood cells that help to control the body's defense system (immune system) and fight infection. HIV spreads through semen, pre-seminal fluid, blood, breast milk, rectal fluid, and vaginal fluid. HIV is commonly spread through sexual contact and sharing needles or syringes, because these behaviors involve exchanging bodily fluids. Without treatment, HIV can turn into AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), an advanced stage of HIV infection. AIDS is a very serious illness and can be life-threatening.

This history of HIV/AIDS as a blurry timeline before the 1980’s since that was around the time reports came in which eventually become an HIV report. The origin of HIV can be traced back to the early part of the century. Some believe that in the 1920’s chimpanzees from the Congo came into contact with humans (Avert, 2016). Though reports were not identified as HIV until the 1980’s, the belief that HIV was already scattered throughout four other continents may have been incident (Avert, 2016). Even though for the past 30 years the world has been diligently working to find a cure and pushing prevention, we are still struggling each year with increasing diagnosis. The beginning of HIV did end with lots of death, but now with our improved antiviral medication there is hope for many.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus and can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) if not treated (About HIV/AIDS, n.d). Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot fully rid itself of HIV completely, even with treatment. Simply put, once you contract HIV, you have it for life. This disease attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system stave off infections. When left to its own devices, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person more likely to

What is HIV? It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS if not treated. The Kaiser Family Foundation (2008), states that HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. If left untreated, it reduces the number of T-Cells in the body, making the person more likely to get other infections. Also noted is the fact that HIV destroys so many of these cells that it renders the body helpless in fighting off the infections, while it takes advantage of the weaker immune system. This occurrence is part of the

“According to the New England Journal, by September 1987, more than 40,000 cases of AIDS had been recognized in the United States and 50,000 cases in different countries.”(Swenson par. 1) The events that took place in the late 1980s and early 1990s changed the world as we knew it. It also challenged some of the greatest medical minds of that time, as they continually searched for a cure worldwide. An examination of primary and secondary sources will reveal the significance of the key event in American history.

History: HIV was believed to have originated in the Congo, where it was transmitted when a human came in contact with a species of chimpanzee that had acquired the virus. From then on, the virus only continued to spread, where it could have been believed to infect anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 people (“History of HIV and AIDS Overview”). The first forms of confirmed HIV discovered in the world took forms in two highly dangerous illnesses, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and Kaposi’s Sarcoma. These rare diseases were first discovered and researched, although they didn’t know they were directly linked

Since the discovery of the HIV virus in 1983, there have been many precautions taken to control and prevent the spreading of this deadly disease. Helen Epstein, who is the author of “AIDS Inc,” informs her readers about the sexually transmitted disease known as the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Epstein enlightens her audience with crucial information in regards to the ruthless disease that is devouring the lives of innocent people, typically in Africa, where people are especially prone to acquiring AIDS. South Africa, having one of the highest amounts of rape crimes in the world, is also home to the highest amount of people living with HIV in the world, at about

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), is an infection that is sexually transmitted. It can be spread by contact with any blood that carries the infection or from mother to child through birth. Also, If a mother is infected with HIV after the birth of her child, the infection can still be passed on through breast feeding. HIV attacks your immune system, mainly focusing on the T-cells. T-cells (T lymphocytes) are a type of white blood cell that are very essential for human immunity. There are many different kinds of T-cells but can be put into two main groups; helper T-cells and killer T-cells. Killer T-cells use X-Ray vision

Media resources serve as a constant reminder of world issues, each day we surf the internet or casually collect the morning newspaper to catch up on the latest in fashion, entertainment and world issues. In 1980, news papers, highlighted the onset of an epidemic, one that would create fear, isolation, bias and discrimination. The HIV virus took the public by disbelief, one of the main tribulations with HIV disease was that there was no concrete evidence that determined its transmission. Many Semantic variations such as "gay mans disease" created biases and discrimination toward this population (CITE). The onset of HIV/AIDS virus also created a devastating impact on healthcare professionals and forced members to re-evaluate legal and

HIV attacks the body’s immune system, by destroying CD4 cells also knows as T cells, that are a type of white blood cells that help the body immune system fight off infections. T cells have proteins that helps the HIV virus bind. If HIV is left untreated, it can reduce the numbers of infected CD4 cells in the body, making the person's more prone to infections ("CD4 Count, HIV, and AIDS: Test and Results -- What They Mean," n.d.). Over time, HIV can completely destroy these cells and the body can no longer fight off infectious disease. When the body begins losing its ability to fight infections and the CD4 cell

One of the most known and feared viruses in the world today is HIV/AIDS. To fully

HIV is global pandemic stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, weakens the immune system by destroying the important cells in our body that fights against disease and infection. Our immune system is able to clear out most of the viruses from our body, but once you have HIV , you have it for lifelong. HIV can hide in our body cells for long time and it can attack the T cells and CD4 cells, a key part of our immune system to fight infections and diseases. Overtime, the HIV may attack so many of CD4 cells and our body is no more able to fight against infections. When this happens, HIV can lead to AIDS, the final stage of HIV infection. HIV can be transmitted through sexual contact, injection or drug use, pregnancy, breast feeding, occupational exposure, and rarely through blood transfusion and organ

The first determinant of health related to African American female population in the 19132 zip code pertains to policies. Polices for this population include providing access to health care, HIV testing and syringe services programs. The Office of HIV Planning in Philadelphia focuses on the needs of the population, conducts community outreaches and educational sessions. As previously stated, 32 state Medicaid programs reimburse for routine HIV screening of adults aged 15-65 years, regardless of risk. This policy allows for individuals to more likely participate in this screening process. HIV testing can be done through health care professionals offices or clinics. Other programs such as AIDS Fund and AVERTing HIV and AIDS provide information on locations on where testing can be done. AVERTing HIV and AIDS also provides information on Needle and Syringe Programs that are available in the community.

Human Immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV. It is a virus that attacks our immune system, rendering it useless that it is unable to fight even the basic of infections. HIV is known as a Lentivirus it is known to make you sick but slowly; from the time you get infected to the time you get sick may be 7 to 8 years thus making it a slow virus. It is also a Retrovirus most virus are DNA virus, your bodies instruction manual is written in DNA (instructions for making proteins) but HIV uses RNA and converts this into DNA once it is inside the host cell, incorporating its viral DNA into the host cell’s DNA so the host cell can make more HIV cells.