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The Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( Hiv ) And The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ( Aids )

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Introduction The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) do not seem to be a major topic of discussion in the World today. Especially within the United States, HIV and AIDS are not conversed about as openly as perhaps it was in the past two decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the end of 2010 there were approximately 1.1 million people living in the United States with the HIV virus. Of those 1.1 million people, about 16% did not even know they were infected (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2010). Each year there are approximately 50,000 new HIV infections within the United States (CDC, 2010). Within the 50,000 new cases of HIV infection, the elderly population is the fastest growing segment within the United States (Sankar, Nevedal, Neufedl, Berry, & Luborsky, 2011, p.2). By 2015, adults who are ages 50 and older will make up approximately 50% of all HIV/AIDS cases in the United States (Effros, Fletcher, Gebo, Courtney, Halter, Hazzard, & High, 2008, p. 542). With the increasing number of HIV/AIDS infections, the demand for prescription drug cocktails has increased. Half of the population diagnosed with HIV/AIDS does not receive regular health care (CDC, 2010). Due to this there are a huge economic impact on the U.S. When it comes to the cost of medication and treatment, many patients are not able to afford the inflated prices, especially the elderly

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