Contents
1. Introduction
2. Resources Available
3. Measures which enhance quality of life
4. Effect on beloved ones
5. Two types of support for beloved ones
6. Appendix
Introduction
This report includes a brief introduction on the HIV virus and then resources that are available to the individuals that have been affected by HIV. It also includes measures that can enhance the quality of life of those affected and the effects this can have on the affected individual’s beloved ones.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus which attacks the immune system which weakens the sufferer’s ability to fight infections and diseases. The virus can be passed on by having unprotected sex, sharing infected needles and transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.
When the person has first been infected a few weeks later they may get flu like illness which can include:
• Fever
• Sore throat,
• Body rash,
• Tiredness,
• Joint pain,
• Muscle pain
• Swollen glands.
People can live with the virus for years and be unaware that they are infected. The only way the individuals can find out if they have HIV is to a HIV test. After this stage the suffer can go on with no symptoms for many years but will progressively cause damage to their immune system, once the immune system becomes extremely damaged their symptoms can include:
• Weight loss
• Recurring diarrhoea
• Nights sweats
• Skin problems
• Constant infections
If the individual
HIV has flu-like symptoms. The symptoms include fever, chills, rash, night sweats, sore throat, etc. If a person doesn’t take a medicine called ART (antiretroviral treatment) their immune system will weaken and then they will develop AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The symptoms of AIDS are rapid weight loss, extreme and unexplained tiredness, pneumonia, memory loss, depression, etc. Symptoms of HIV can start between a few months and more than ten years. HIV can only be spread through certain bodily fluids. Most of the time it is spread sexually. It can spread by blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. In the United States HIV is usually spread through anal or vaginal sex without taking medicine to prevent HIV or using a condom. HIV is also spread by sharing needles or syringes. HIV can live in a used needle for up to forty-two days. HIV does not survive long outside the body. It also cannot reproduce once it is outside its host. HIV also cannot be spread by tears, sweat, or saliva as long as it is not mixed with blood. HIV is a biosafety level three agent which meant it
HIV is communicable disease that is caused by virus. This particular virus attacks the immune system which means people who suffer from HIV find it more difficult to fight of infection than the average person who does not suffer from HIV. This disease can be transmitted by direct contact, generally it is transferred by sexual contact between partners in fact 95% of those who suffer from HIV are contracted it this way. It can also be contracted by using dirty needles or any other contaminated tool. It can also be contracted by sharing sexual toys. HIV is commonly found in a person’s bodily fluids this means it is spread through, Sperm, vaginal and even anal fluids, breast milk and blood are also common.
As a disease, HIV, or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a blood-borne virus that is transmitted from person to person via sexual intercourse, mother to child, or intravenous drug paraphernalia. The virus itself causes, usually over a period of time, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. AIDS actually targets the immune system and causes an immunosuppression which makes people who have the virus more susceptible to cancers and infections. This is the most unique feature of the HIV/AIDS virus and is the most deadly since its implications are destructive if not properly treated (Moore 51). The significance of this disease is one that began in the 1980’s and initially was thought to be a virus only found within homosexual communities and was even originally called Gay-Related Immunodeficiency Virus. However, in 1981, it was found that the virus was spreading beyond the gay community when Blacks accounted for 25% of the HIV/AIDs population and a trend began where Blacks continued to contract HIV significantly more than
Some people live with it for years before being diagnosed and some experience symptoms within a few weeks. Symptoms are different for everyone but can include the usual flu-like symptoms which are “fever, headaches, tiredness, and enlarged lymph glands,” (HIV Facts, n.d.). These are some of the symptoms I had.
HIV is a virus that causes AIDS. These viruses enter the healthy body and destroy T-cell, while they reproduce themselves. In the meantime, the immune system gets attack and began to breakdown. The immune system help defend the body from flu, cold, virus, germs, infection and bacteria. Because the cell cannot keep fighting the infection, immune system weakens. This is the stage where AIDS is diagnose and taken over when the illness become too severe. HIV is passed only through direct contact with another person's body fluids, such as blood, sexual contact, sharing needles or syringes, birth or breast milk. You don’t get AIDS from tears, saliva or touch, however you can’t tell who has AIDS or HIV that’s why we need to be careful and get tested. To make sure we are not positive but if positive we can start treatment right away. There is no cure for HIV or AIDS, but new medicines can help people live long. New cocktail also know as drugs make it possible for people who are HIV positive to live for years without getting AIDS. There are support group and foundation to help. We should get tested for AIDS at least once in our life or every time there is a new partner. We can’t tell who have AIDS and study show 1 out of 8 is living with HIV and not know it. Getting tested is fast and easy through blood or saliva and takes about 20 min for result. They are so many reason why everyone should get tested it also to help protect yourself and your love one from getting this virus. Catching this virus early can help able to rebuild your immunity, with medicine for example ARV. Having this virus is not the end of the world. As long as this virus is under control it can lead to a happy and longer
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is defined by the Mayo Clinic as "A chronic, potentially life-threatening condition which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV damages the immune system, and interferes with the ability the body has to fight the disease causing organism" (Mayo Clinic, 2014). HIV is an infection transmitted sexually. Another mode of transmission for HIV is by exposure to infected blood, or it could also be transmitted from the mother to the unborn child during the course of pregnancy, at childbirth or through breastfeeding. It may take several years for the HIV virus to weaken the immune system
Mr. B has confided that he has been diagnosed with the HIV/AIDS virus. His diagnosis has caused both his physical and mental health to suffer. Mr. B has been engaging in sexual activity with several partners who were all unaware of his diagnosis, he has intentionally kept this from them and has no plans to inform them. He has chosen not to tell his partners about his HIV/AIDS status which means he is purposefully putting others at risk for contracting this disease. His reasons for not informing his sexual partners include the fact that he does not want to be treated differently by his family and friends, Mr. B 's concerns are understandable that he would want to keep his health information private however, Mr.
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)
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
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, If left untreated, HIV attacks the the body’s nervous system and also cells that try to stop diseases or std’s, after a while HIV will kill to many of those cells to the point where there won't be enough to fight off any diseases and will start to break down the immune system. Most commonly from unprotected sex and sharng needles with the infected. HIV is transmitted from blood, sperm, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. HIV cannot be transmitted from saliva, HIV can also be transmitted from damaged tissue, open cuts, kissing or touching, mosquitoes, or blood transfusions. Aids is the more advanced stage of HIV. The symptoms are similar for both sexes-> chills, fatigue, fever, genital sores, mouth sores, muscle aches, rashes, sore throat, and
Resources are essential for an individual infected by HIV. People diagnosed with this disease require support and education to address their concerns. A person diagnosed needs medical, psychological, and possibly financial assistance. Community resources are necessary to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS and provide testing to high risk individuals. In some communities, resources can be limited due to lack of funding, and in others, resources are more comprehensive. Resources that are needed can depend on the community that is being served, For instance, if a community has many individuals that are intravenous drug users, a needle exchange program will benefit this community. Resources in the community should provide education, testing, and counseling and links to programs that provide additional services such as housing assistance.
“Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a blood-borne virus typically transmitted via sexual intercourse, shared intravenous drug paraphernalia, and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), which can occur during the birth processor during breastfeeding.” There is no cure for HIV or AIDS but over time different types of medications have been developed that slows down the advancement of the disease. AIDS is a lethal disease that is caused by HIV. HIV destroys the immune system and causes the body to not be able to fight off any diseases.
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. A member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease in which the body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off certain infections, known as "opportunistic infections," and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system. When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body and lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells. These are the immune cells that normally protect us from disease.
HIV, or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus which damages and kills cells of the immune system. It attacks the T-cells, key cells of the immune system, and uses them to make copies of itself. After being infected with the virus it progressively interferes and eventually destroys the immune system's ability to fight the anti-genes. HIV may develop into the syndrome AIDS, the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV is an STD - a sexually transmitted disease - and therefore most commonly it is spread through sexual contact, and the virus mainly enters the body through the penis, mouth, lining of the vagina or vulva during sexual activity. HIV can also be spread through sharing syringes or needles with someone who is infected with the
HIV is a virus that develops when a non-infected person exposed by an infected person with HIV through bodily fluids. HIV in an infected person can annihilate the cells; the immune system weakens and becomes a target for other infectious illnesses. When the immune system can no longer defend itself, the infection has progressed to AIDS. People can contract HIV in many ways. HIV can spread by coming in contact with body fluids such as blood, saliva, semen, rectal and vaginal fluids, and breast milk from women who are nursing their babies. Promoting and educating