AIDS AS AN INVADER

AIDS AS AN INVADER

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, also known as AIDS, is a silent invader. The first cases of this disease were reported in the early 1980’s. AIDS is caused by the infection known as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is a microscopic organism that can grow and multiply inside living cells. HIV attacks and disables the body’s immune system. The immune system is the system that usually fights off illnesses. “When the immune system breaks down, a person with AIDS will develop life-threatening illnesses.” (Flynn & Lound, 6) The invasion of the AIDS virus in an individual’s body leaves the body open to an invasion by many other different infections, called “opportunistic diseases.” These infections are the main causes of death of AIDS patients. Because there is not yet a cure for AIDS, once the disease invades the body there is no way to get rid of it. AIDS is a life-threatening disease and those infected are often treated as invaders although they are the ones who were invaded. Although AIDS first appeared in the United States in the early 1980’s, HIV “first gained a foothold in humans some fifty or more years ago in Africa.” (Joseph, M. D., 14) At that time many hunters and their

HIV needs only a warm body in order to survive. "� (Grolier) Eighty percent of children born to women with AIDS acquire HIV from their infected mothers. Bibliography Works Cited "AIDS. "� (Grolier) Predictions have been made that within the next ten years a vaccine should be available to protect against HIV infection. "� Joseph went on to say that "most of the mortally ill children I was caring for had a combination of severe malnutrition and one or more infectious diseases. In the United States, AIDS has hit hardest among black and Hispanic women. Hostile Kokomo residents held protests against Ryan. There are many well-known people who have been invaded by AIDS or who have died from it. The Ray family went to court and won the right to return back to public school. Those people infected with HIV and AIDS are often considered to be invaders themselves and are treated as if they are lesser people than everyone around them. Because the poor and those people who are of different races are already discriminated against, when these people are then labeled as having AIDS, they are then considered as being more of an invader as originally thought.

Seventy-four percent of the AIDS population is found in Africa

AIDS in Africa

Seventy-four percent of the AIDS population is found in Africa. One in ten adults living in Africa is now infected with HIV, and in certain places in southern Africa, at least one in four adults are infected. Not only does AIDS affect the immediate victims, but in Africa, it frequently is passed on to the children. An estimated 1,700 new infections occur each day. The infection rates among newborns are high. Furthermore, AIDS orphans many children. Rape victims have a high risk of testing positive for HIV, which is especially sad for a country where such a crime is widespread. Even in mutual relationships, the females often would like to use a sort of protection; well males do not wish to do so. When a female condom was available in a few parts of Africa, they disappeared in frenzy. Many problems contribute to poor conditions, and subsequently, AIDS is a problem for every one of Africa’s citizens. (MSNBC) For a while, part of the problem was lack of education, but programs such as the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (a charity dedicated to raising money for AIDS vaccine research, patenting the rights and distributing the vaccine at low cost) are currently working on improving that. IAVI is dedicated to trying t

One man interviewed for a July 10th NBC newscast told the reporter that he believes AIDS is caused by avocadoes. There is simply no solution as to how the older or much younger populations could be supported when AIDS is killing huge numbers of people in the most productive time of their lives. This makes the public even more doubtful of the horror of AIDS. "We welcome the intervention of people with resources who can develop a vaccine for HIV. IAVI now has the grant from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), as well as donated monies from the Dutch and British governments. Everyone present also agreed that any potential vaccine most be both affordable and accessible. In Senegal, where an amazing anti-AIDS program, started in 1986, has kept the infection rate below 2%, an astounding increase in the use of condoms is a main AIDS prevention measure. Loans would help the health systems overall, but specifically loans would be available to purchase vaccines for AIDS and other diseases. The annual number of condoms used rose from 800,000 in 1988 to 9 million in 1997. Canada has become the third government to provide major financial support to IAVI, with the announcement of a donation that is equivalent of (US$3. Luckily, organizations such as IAVI, are working intensely at trying to service Africa with medicine and prevention programs that are needed. Socially, AIDS hinders in many ways.