The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Auto Immune Deficiency Disease (AIDS) are one of the leading killers around the world. Statistics provided by the Joint United Nations Program approximate that over 33 million people have been infected with HIV and AIDS. Of those 33 million, 1. 1 million of those carriers are in the United States and even more shockingly, a fifth of those carriers are unaware that they have been infected. The World Health Organization estimated that annually, 2. 7 million individuals contract the virus and 2 million die from the diseases.
There is a common misconception between HIV and AIDS. Because the two diseases are usually grouped together when discussed, many believe that they are one and the same. However, the most significant difference between the two is that HIV attacks and lowers the immune defense of the organs while AIDS attacks the immune system’s cells. In addition, HIV usually gives way to AIDS. However, there are many HIV carriers who can go their whole lives without developing AIDS by undergoing intense and continuous treatment.
In order to be diagnosed with AIDS, one has to meet a certain criteria. According to the Mayo Clinic, patients who contract HIV first have flu like symptoms. Following the flu symptoms, it typically takes about 10 years to develop into AIDS. When AIDS first develops, a person becomes susceptible to what is known as opportunistic infections. Opportunistic infections are infections that would not normally bother a person with a healthy immune system.
Symptoms that follow are, “soaking night sweats, shaking chills or fever over 100 F (38 C) for several weeks, cough and shortness of breath, chronic diarrhea, persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your tongue or in your mouth, headaches, persistent, unexplained fatigue, blurred and distorted vision, weight loss, skin rashes or bumps,” (Mayo Clinic). HIV can be transmitted to from one individual to another by numerous forms of fluid exchanges. The most common form that the virus is transferred is through sexual intercourse.
Receptive partners are more at risk at contracting HIV then the opposite partner. One is able to contract the virus when the partners fluid enters the blood stream which is why the receiver of vaginal or anal intercourse are more vulnerable due to the many tiny blood vessels in them that can be easily damaged. Another common way that the virus is transmitted is though sharing of needles between two individuals. “Laboratory study shows that the infectious HIV virus can survive on syringes for a month or more”.
(AMFAR) The last most common form that the virus is passed is from mother to infant through conception or breastfeeding. There are drugs that can be taken so that the infant will have less of a susceptible to the virus and mothers are encouraged to not breastfeed after conception. After being infected with HIV, the body undergoes a siege of flu like symptoms for a few weeks. This first stage of illness is known as Acute or Primary HIV infection. Because the symptoms are very flu like, they can be easily over looked. When the virus enters the body, it attacks the infection fighting cells known as CD4 Cells.
More than half of those cells can be destroyed within the first few weeks of infection if a person is not started on what is known as Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). As with any infection, the human immune system will begin the creation of white blood cells to attack the infection. Over time though, the response might be lost and the HIV infection will begin to progress further. A patient who is taking ARVs, however, will be able to continue to stop the process of the HIV progression. Unfortunately, there are those who do not realize they have the HIV virus and unknowingly allow it to develop into AIDS.
By the time the AIDS virus develops, the immune system will already be compromised due to the decreased number for CD4 cells. Without those CD4 cells, the immune system is susceptible to opportunistic infections which it would normally be able to fend off. Without a strong immune system, the opportunistic infections are what eventually lead to the patient’s death. HIV awareness can be practiced in many ways but is best started by the individual. The best and most effective way to not be susceptible to the virus is of course through abstinence.
If you choose to continue to stay sexually active, always use a latex condom and do not use oil-based lubricants because it could weaken the condom. After practicing safe sex in your personal life, tell your close friends and family members about how they can contribute to the cause and raise awareness by using your close-knit relationships to convince them. Lastly, try to contribute on a much grander scale by finding public programs that you have in your local community such as being active in school programs or participate or become a member of the many national AIDS and HIV awareness programs all over the world.
As with many problems, the reason HIV and AIDS is so rampant is due to the lack of knowledge and education about the issue. Simply by educating the public on what HIV and AIDS are, as well as preventative measures, it would greatly reduce the risk of transmission. Each year, the numbers of those who are infected continue to rise. With over 33. 4 million individuals already who have already contracted the virus, research continues in hopes for a cure for both HIV and AIDS. Each and every one of us can make an enormous contribution to losing fight against AIDs and HIV by just changing up the little things in our personal life.
So remember the next time you decide to have unprotected sex, remember to wrap it up! Works Cited Page “Basic Facts About HIV/AIDS. ” Basic Facts About HIV/AIDS. AmfAR. Web. 18 Feb. 2012. “Offering Information about HIV and AIDS. ” AIDSinfo. AIDSinfo, 17 Feb. 2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. . Board, A. D. A. M. Editorial. “Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors. ” AIDS. U. S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Nov. 2011. Web. 18 Feb. 2012. . “HIV/AIDS. ” HIV/AIDS:Symptoms-Mayoclinic. com. Mayo Clinic, 2 Aug. 2011. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. .