HIV/AIDS: a Fatal Disease

 There are different fatal diseases around the world, however the HIV/AIDS disease is killing many people. HIV/AIDS is a deadly virus that spreads rapidly throughout the world. It weakens the body so isn't strong enough to fight the infection. It is the most common disease known around the world. In the early 1980's and 1990's the outbreak of HIV spread across the United States. Luc Montagnier a French virologist discovered the disease. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is an interesting disease to research, due to the way it can be transmitted. HIV remains one of the largest pandemics in the world. Researchers say chimpanzees passed on the disease to humans. One transmission event involving SIV from chimpanzees gave rise to HIV.( Gao F, Bailes E, Robertson DL, Chen Y, Rodenburg CM, Michael SF, Cummins LB, Arthur LO, Peeters M, Shaw GM, et al. Nature. 1999 Feb 4; 397(6718):436-41.)

Chimpanzees being infected and hunters hunting them lead to humans getting HIV. The disease started in Africa,  AIDS is caused by HIV,  which originated in non-human primates in Central and West Africa.(James Gallagher (October 2, 2014). "Aids: Origin of pandemic 'was 1920s. Kinshasa'". BBC. Retrieved October 5, 2014.) The disease may have originated in Africa, but overtime it has spread all over. Many areas were affected, At least two million infected adults live in each of the most affected countries: Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.(United Nations ?© 2014, New York, NY 10017.) The spread was  a enormous impact in a variety of countries. About 1.1 million Americans and over 18% were unaware of having a infection.HIV/AIDS is a disease, often transmitted by infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluid. Symptoms may be shown in abdomen pain, cough, or night sweats. The first sign of having HIV  is having swollen glands. Night sweats is a warning of being infected, If you have advanced or untreated HIV you may be experiencing night sweats.(Mark Cichocki, RN Updated June 11, 2018.)

When having a late HIV infection you will be dealing with night sweats. Another symptom can be having a fever,having a fever can be the easiest warning sign of having HIV. Gastrointestinal is another issue , patients with HIV may have GI symptoms and develop GI complications. Being aware of how you feeling can let you know if you have a HIV infection. HIV is often spread by sexual intercourse. It affects people's immune system and destroys cells and interferes with the body's ability to fight infections. If your CD4 drops below 200 degrees or have cancer or any infection you have AIDS. All people of all kinds and ages are in risk of getting an infection. In 2015, about 38,500 Americans were infected. HIV can live in a used needle up to forty-two days depending on temperature or other factors.( Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8034, USA.) If the needle has been re-used to inject a person HIV can be probably transmitted. HIV can be transmitted by cuts if infected blood gets into a wound,  the blood will go into the human body and get infected. Breastfeeding can transmit the infection to the baby,  Mother is newly infected with primary infection may therefore be more infectious.(Nurs Times. 1996 Jul 31-Aug 6;92(31):35-7.)

The mother will transmit the infection when giving breast milk. Due to the spreading of HIV being spread easily, researches are looking for a cure.Unlike many infectious diseases, HIV doesn't have a cure. However,  there are many ways to prevent it or treat it like going to a specialists to help you treat you infection. Being injected by new and clean needles, is an easy way to prevent the spread of HIV. Never reuse the same needle only use a needle with one person and throw it away. Antibiotics will be given to treat the disease and prevent it from developing more complications. It will help with slowing down the issue and living longer.  Being hygiene at all times and being aware will prevent diseases. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is interesting to learn about and knowing the ways it can be spread. HIV has an enormous impact on the society,  because many people have died from the getting the infection.There is millions of people that died over the years the more it gets spread. The spread is as rapidly as a wink. HIV is one of the fatal disease that exists all over the world. Overall, HIV is a life threatening disease many Americans have to deal with. As a country we need to be aware and precautious of the hazardous diseases surrounding us. Many Americans are infected, so we need to be aware about the spreading.

Cite this page