IEA: AIDS/HIV
The Issue at Hand
HIV/AIDS is the single largest infectious killer known today, as well as the 4th leading cause of death in the world. It has become a prominent concern in our modern day society, and shall remain a concern of future generations. At first, some scientists thought some factor in homosexual lifestyle caused AIDS. This partly led to the misconception of the disease, once confused for and labeled as "gay cancer" and "GRID" (Gay-Related Immunodeficiency Disease.) In retrospect, it is now known that AIDS was present in the U.S. before 1981, and all misconceptions have been called out. HIV/AIDS is not a "gay" disease. It affects everyone. There is no found cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS. Therefore, we are left with the tools of education and behavior modification.
HIV defined is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a retrovirus that invades cells in the human immune system in order to replicate itself. T-4 cells or "helper T cells" are often targeted. These cells are the "helper/inducer" cells that detect germ invaders in the body, alerting the body's immune systems. HIV invades these cells and uses the genetic information encoded in them to replicate itself. This is what makes it especially hard for the body to fight HIV because it hides in the cells of the immune system, the very cells that are used to defend the body. The weakened immune system is unable to fight off infections that aren't usually a problem for healthy systems. In this way, HIV causes AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which is a group of diseases that occur when HIV has damaged a person's immune system. The diseases of the AIDS syndrome are caused by germs we encounter every day. It is the last stage of HIV infection. Pneumocystis carinii, a rare lung infection, Kaposi's sarcoma and other cancers, pneumonia, and other infections can occur at this stage.
HIV is carried in semen, vaginal fluid, blood, and breast milk. During sex, HIV can enter the body through the fragile tissue that lines the vagina, penis, anus and mouth. During drug use, tattooing, or body piercing, the virus can enter the bloodstream through a shared needle. A mother who has HIV can infect her child through breastfeeding.
Facts and Statistics
- People living in Sub-Saharan Africa compose the population struck hardest by HIV/AIDS in the world. 12.9 million adults are infected, and more than half of these adults are women. Problems that contribute to this situation are social stigmas towards the use of condoms and lack of accessible contraception or sex education.
- 4 million adults in South/Southeast Asia are afflicted with AIDS. Asia is expected to become the center of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 21st century. Issues of particular concern perpetuating the spreading epidemic are the commercial sex trade, needle-sharing and lack of adequate blood screening.
- Over 70% of the world's HIV infections occur through sex between men and women.
- 36.1 million people are infected with HIV/AIDS worldwide.
- 47% of AIDS victims are Women.
- In the U.S. AIDS is the 5th leading cause of death among people aged 25-44 years. People of color, especially women are at higher risk, partially due to socio-economic factors.
For More Information
- Avert.org, Averting AIDS & HIV
- UN AIDS, the United Nations AIDS information website
- AIDS.ORG, Quality Treatment Information and Resources
- JAMA HIV/AIDS Information Center
- HIV Stops With Me
- Stop AIDS Project
2128 15th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114-1213
(415) 575-0150 - AIDS Partnership
- HARC, HIV/AIDS Resource Center
3075 Clark Rd, Suite 203 Ypsilanti, MI 48197
800-578-2300
(734) 572-9355 - National AIDS Hotline: 1-800-342-AIDS (24 hours)
The ways to protect yourself against HIV/AIDS are simple, yet so important. If you are sexually active, practice SAFE SEX. Use a LATEX condom, dental dams, or practice abstinence. Don't share needles, and don't mix sex and drugs, where judgment can be greatly impaired.
This is an issue that concerns the new generations, for we are the ones who will witness the discovery of the cure, yet to be found.
