HIV/AIDS

HIV / AIDS

In 1981 , the first outbreak of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS ) was discovered in United States . Since then , AIDS has become a predominant epidemic that is tackled worldwide . AIDS is triggered by the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV ( HIV Infections and AIDS : An Overview ' 2007 . HIV intercedes with the capability of the body to combat diseases caused by viruses , fungi and bacteria . Because of the infection , the body becomes more vulnerable to life-threatening diseases such as cancer . It was also discovered that HIV could induce opportunistic infections ' like

pneumonia and meningitis , which can be avoided if the body is in its normal functioning condition . HIV is pertained not only as the carrier of the virus but is also regarded as the infection itself . The subsequent stage of the HIV infection is termed as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ( HIV /AIDS ' 2008

After the discovery of the virus 20 years ago , it was noted that over millions of people all throughout the world have been infected with HIV In the United States alone , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ) reported that more than 1 ,000 ,000 Americans are likely to be infected with the virus , a quarter of which are unaware of their condition . It was also discovered that the risk of spreading the epidemic is high among people from the minority groups . In this light it is concluded that HIV is now the leading cause of death among African-American males whose ages range from 25 to 44 . Aside from the African-Americans , Hispanics are also more affected with AIDS compared to whites ( HIV Infections and AIDS : An Overview ' 2007

Today , an estimated 40 million people worldwide are contaminated with HIV and AIDS virus . 37 million from the infected population are adults and of which , 2 .5 million are children ( HIV and AIDS ' 2008

HIV is transmitted in ways unlike the ordinary flu or cold . HIV can be passed only through direct contacts of the body fluids , most especially through the blood . Majority of rthe people infected with the virus acquired it through the practice of risky behaviors like sharing of needles and syringes used for illegal drugs , sexual intercourse which includes oral sexual act with a person infected with the virus or with a person with an unknown HIV status . Other ways which a person may acquire the infection can occur when a pregnant woman is infected with the virus which is then transmitted to the babies during pregnancy and after birth . Babies can also obtain the infection from the breast milk of the infected mother . The virus may enter the body through different channels like the vagina 's lining , penis , vulva , rectum or even the mouth during sexual contact ( HIV Infections and AIDS : An Overview ' 2007

The symptoms of the infection differ from one person to another depending on the stage when the virus has spread . On the first contact with the virus , some people develop flue-like symptoms for few days or few weeks after the...