Aids

Running Head : Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

In APA Style

I . Introduction

Although progress has been in treating HIV infection and AIDS , the epidemic remains a critical public health issue in all communities across the country and around the world . Since the HIV serologic test (enzyme immunoassay [EIA] , formerly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ALISHA] , became available in 1984 , allowing early diagnosis of the infection before onset of symptoms , HIV infection has been best managed as a chronic disease and most appropriately managed in an outpatient care setting (Gallant

, 2001

This intends to discuss what AIDS is and figures out how it can be transferred

II . Discussion

Any behavior that results in breaks in the skin or mucosa results in the increased probability of exposure to HIV (chart 1 . Since HIV is harbored within lymphocytes , a type of white blood cell , any exposure to infected blood results in a significant risk of infection . The amount of virus and infected cells in the body fluid is associated with the risk of new infections (Cohen , 2001

Chart 1

Risk Factors for AIDS In the United States of America , most people with HIV /AIDS have engaged in high-risk behaviors , such as the following

Intravenous or injection drug use (the term intravenous drug user has been replaced by the term injecting (or injection ) drug user This term includes people who inject drugs intravenously as well as those who inject drugs intradermally . This method is sometimes referred to as skin popping

Sexual relations with infected individuals (both male and female

Also at risk are people who received blood or blood products contaminated with HIV (especially before blood screening was instituted in 1985 ) and children born to mothers with HIV infection

Until an effective vaccine is developed , preventing HIV by eliminating or reducing risk behaviors is essential . Primary prevention efforts through effective educational programs are vital for control and prevention . HIV is not transmitted by causal contact

those individuals who did not use N-9 gel (AIDS Institute , 2000

Other s important in preventive education include the importance of avoiding sexual practices that might cut or tear the lining of the rectum , penis , or vagina and avoiding sexual contact with multiple partners or people who are known to be HIV positive or injection drug users . In addition , people who are HIV positive or use injection drugs should be instructed not to donate blood or share drug equipment with others (Berridge , 2000 . Increasingly , needle exchange programs are available to enable injection drug users to obtain sterile drug equipment at no cost . Extensive research has demonstrated that needle exchange programs do not promote increased drug use on the contrary they have been found to decrease the incidence of blood-borne infections in persons who use injection drugs (Trzcianowska Mortensen , 2001 . In the absence of needle exchange programs , injection drug users should be instructed on methods to clean their syringes and to avoid sharing cotton and other drug use equipment

Chart 2

Health Promotion and Illness Prevention Safer Sex...