AIDS: A Worldwide Concern
Each year, mortality rates for AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is constantly increasing. It has affected millions of individuals all throughout the entire globe. It affects all individuals including children. Africa is the continent mostly affected by this disease. It is said that the first recorded case was from Los Angeles and was finally traced by experts that its origin is the continent of Africa. At this time, experts are trying to discover treatments for this disease but until now there is still no known cure for AIDS.
AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. A person infected with this virus usually appears asymptomatic for a longer period of time, and it slowly suppresses the immune system of infected patients. Once the immune system of those infected with the virus becomes too weak, opportunistic infections might occur and cause further damage to the health of the patient. A patient will be considered infected with AIDS if his CD4+ T cell count lowers to 200. If the CD4+ count is above 200, it is still considered as HIV. The CD4+ count will determine the status of the patient’s immune system.
There are many ways to diagnose HIV and AIDS. The first one is the HIV antibody test. Those infected with the virus produced antibodies to HIV in the blood. If an individual who submits himself to HIV antibody test will definitely have negative results if he does this during the window period of the disease which is 21 days to 6 months. This does not mean that the patient is not infected of the virus it only shows that the body has not produced the antibodies yet. Therefore, the patient should continue taking precautions. This is not the confirmatory test for HIV. A more accurate diagnostic test is the Western Blot Test. It is a confirmatory test to HIV, which supports the HIV Antibody test. There is also a diagnostic test specific for infants; PCR or polymerase chain reaction can be utilized.
AIDS is a syndrome. Therefore, it is a mix of signs and symptoms. These symptoms are the result of the impairment in the immune system. Common signs and symptoms include sinus infection, depression, persistent diarrhea, Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphadenopathy. There are still other signs and symptoms depending on the type of opportunistic infection that the patient has acquired after his immune system became impaired. There are treatments available nowadays that slow the progression of the disease, and it has been of great help to patients that are affected. It is very expensive though and limited in distribution that is why others are unable to benefit from these treatments. There are even celebrities who are infected with HIV and their condition did not progress to AIDS because of their treatment regimen.
There are a lot of ways to acquire the virus. The most common is through sexual intercourse, being pricked by a needle that is infected and blood transfusion. It is best for people to know and understand how the virus is being transmitted so that they will be aware on how to prevent acquisition of the disease. Pregnant women that are infected with the virus usually infect their baby with HIV. This disease is indeed highly infectious.
The world has organized programs to help solve the problem with regards to the increasing number of individuals who acquire the disease. The campaign for the awareness and maturity of people to deal with the disease is being strengthened by certain groups. Even celebrities are urging people to practice safe sex and use preventive measures to prevent the spread of the disease. It is a pandemic already and instead of discriminating persons with HIV it is best to offer them emotional support because these patients are feeling so down, and they need to be educated so that they will not engage in activities that will spread the virus. There are still millions of individuals who are not aware of this condition, and it is best to participate in programs that will help increase the awareness regarding the effects of having the disease. It might be difficult to eradicate this disease but a simple sense of responsibility will definitely cause a change.
