HIV / AIDS

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Once infection takes place, the HIV virus gradually inhibits the immune system response so that the body is more susceptible to disease. Medications can be taken to slow down the progress of the HIV virus. AIDS is usually the final stage in the degeneration of the immune system, the point at which the afflicted individual can no longer stave off illness, infection or tumor growth. No known cure exists for HIV / AIDS and prevention is the only means to curtail the pandemic. As of 2007, between 30.3 and 36.1 million people worldwide are living with HIV / AIDS; since the disease was discovered and classified in 1981, more than 25 million people have died of AIDS (Avert).

AIDS most likely did come from monkeys. The HIV virus is closely related to the same virus manifest in Simian populations: Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV). However, it is unknown exactly how the SIV virus first transmitted to humans. Vaccinations contaminated with SIV, consumption of contaminated meat, and other means of contact with monkey blood are possible origins of the HIV virus. Although AIDS was first discussed in medical literature in 1981, recent evidence proves the HIV virus existed long before. The first documented infection, based on plasma samples, was from 1959 (Avert).

The three most direct modes of HIV transmission between humans include sex, blood transfusions or needle sharing, and mother to infant. The HIV virus cannot survive long without a host body. Transmission therefore requires fresh bodily fluids and yet HIV cannot be transmitted via mosquitoes.

HIV / AIDS carries an enormous social stigma as psychologically devastating as the disease is physically fatal. Because the first medically chronicled cases of HIV / AIDS were gay men, the disease became synonymous with homosexuality. Homophobia fueled fears of the disease and simultaneously stymied efforts to increase public awareness of its devastating effects on all persons. In sub-Saharan Africa, almost 60% of adults living with AIDS are female.

References

Avert. Web site retrieved Nov 18, 2008 at http://www.avert.org/worldstats.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Retrieved Nov 18, 2008 at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/basic/index.htm