Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( Hiv ) And Acquired...

One of the most prevalent diseases facing the world today is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV and AIDS became widely known on June 5th, 1981 when the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first instance of this virus. Contrary to popular belief, being HIV positive is not a death sentence. Modern drugs make it possible for people who are HIV positive to be very healthy and live for years without developing AIDS. Also, those who have AIDS can continue to live for many years and be just as healthy as their non-HIV positive peers. Those carrying this virus can live practically normal lives; working, pursuing higher education, having a social life and romantic†¦show more content†¦In fact, some individuals who are positive may be healthier than individuals with other conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may live a longer life if they care for themselves properly. However, some o f the health challenges associated with being positive for HIV are not physical. Even though people who are HIV positive might look ok, they sometimes feel scared, angry, unhappy, or even depressed. They often carry a fear that family or friends, as well as people at work or school, might find out that they are HIV positive and start to treat them differently (HIV and AIDS P. 3). This is the impact of the stigma associated with HIV on the HIV positive community. This typically produces a kind of unhealthy stress that when improperly addressed can lead to additional health problems. Many people with HIV and AIDS suffer from serious discrimination. According to an article titled, â€Å"HIV AIDS Discrimination and Stigma† many factors can lead to this unethical and unfair abuse towards HIV victims. Even with the best of health, HIV can impact people’s lives simply because of the stigma that most people, including family members, hold regarding the disease, causing them to knowingly and unknowingly discriminate against others (HIV AIDS Discrimination and Stigma par 2-5). Those who are aware and choose to stand by the HIV victims are typically limited in their interactions with the victim. The stigma tends to restrict their Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( Hiv ) And Acquired... Human Immunodeficiency Virus MGH Institute of Health Professions Joshua Igoe-Muzorewa Introduction Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) continues to be an incredibly important health concern for not only the United States (US) but across the Globe (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2016a). In the US alone, there are an estimated 1.2 million people that as of 2013 are living with the disease (CDC, 2016a). Scientists believe that HIV derived and mutated from a virus known as the Simian Immunodeficiency virus which was prevalent in chimpanzees, during a time that humans were hunting and consuming chimpanzee meat (CDC, 2016a). HIV in the US was primarily discovered and defined†¦show more content†¦Stages of HIV HIV is categorized into three possible stages of disease. Stage 1 is considered the Acute HIV infection stage. In 2 to 4 weeks following exposure to the infection, individuals have reported experiencing flu-type symptoms which last at a varying rate and individuals are extremely contagious without knowing they are infected (CDC, 2016b). Stage 2 is known as HIV inactivity or dormancy (CDC, 2016b). This is a phase that is typically asymptomatic, where there is still a live, active virus, but it is reproducing itself at a significantly low level (CDC, 2016b). With proper medication intervention, this stage can last for several decades, without it, they become more symptomatic (CDC, 2016b). As an individual’s viral load increases, they become more symptomatic, and their risk of infecting others also increases significantly. These individuals are at risk of moving into stage 3 known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS); requires a CD4 cell count less than 200 cells/mm or specific opportunistic illness (CDC, 2016b). Populations at Risk HIV goes beyond race and ethnicity, into a category that is called ‘Transmission Category’. The most at risk group here are gay and bisexual men, which are noted for making up 67% of all new HIV diagnoses compared to heterosexual sex which accounts for 24% of new diagnoses (CDC, 2015). Another group that is considered to be most at risk for HIV infection areShow MoreRelatedHuman Immunodeficiency Virus ( Hiv ) And Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome2589 Words   |  11 PagesOne of the most prevalent diseases facing the world today is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV and AIDS became widely known on June 5th, 1981 when the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first instance of this virus. Contrary to popular belief, being HIV positive is not a death sentence. Modern drugs make it possible for people who are HIV positive to be very healthy and live for years without developin g AIDS. Also, thoseRead MoreThe Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( Hiv ) / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ( Aids )1199 Words   |  5 PagesThe Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one of the deadliest pandemics the world has ever known. 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