This paper provides a foundational overview of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and its progression to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). It traces the virus's suspected origins in West African chimpanzee populations and its spread to the United States by the mid-to-late 1970s. Drawing on CDC data, the paper presents U.S. infection statistics, including demographic disparities affecting African Americans, Latinos, women, and men who have sex with men. It then outlines the clinical stages of HIV infection — from acute retroviral syndrome through clinical latency to full-blown AIDS — and concludes with a review of prevention strategies, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and behavioral precautions.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus spreads through a person's body and attacks specific cells called CD4 — or "T" cells. If the virus spreads sufficiently throughout the body, it becomes very difficult for the body to fight off infections. The deeper the virus penetrates the body, the greater the chances of the person progressing to AIDS. This paper reviews the most recent medical care that can, in many cases, keep the virus from spreading; it also examines how a person can become infected with HIV and the stages through which the infection progresses.
Scientists believe that chimpanzees in West Africa may have originally carried HIV. When Africans hunted and killed infected chimpanzees — and came into contact with the animals' HIV-positive blood — that contact is thought to have been the link that transmitted the virus to humans. This may have occurred as far back as the late 19th century. From Africa, according to the CDC, the virus spread to other parts of the world and was apparently present in the United States around the mid-to-late 1970s.
Facts presented by the CDC show that more than 1.1 million Americans are presently living with HIV infection. Notably, almost one in six — approximately 15.8% — are unaware of their infection (CDC). The cultural groups with the most serious rates of infection include bisexual and gay men, particularly young Black and African American men who have sex with men (MSM) (CDC). The number of people carrying the HIV virus who do not know they have it is estimated to be 180,000. The CDC reports approximately 50,000 new infections each year in the United States, and the latest statistics available showed that 15,529 people diagnosed with AIDS died in the U.S. in 2010.
Contrary to what might be hoped, new infection rates were not declining. The nearly 30,000 new HIV infections recorded in 2010 represented a 12% increase from the 26,700 new infections in 2008 (CDC). Of the new HIV infections in 2010, 20% occurred among females — representing a 21% increase for women since 2008. Eighty-four percent of HIV infections in women came from heterosexual contact, while 16% came from sharing intravenous needles with an infected person.
Racial disparities in HIV infection rates are striking. African Americans represent only 12% of the U.S. population, yet they accounted for 44% of new HIV infections (CDC). Latinos represent approximately 16% of the U.S. population but accounted for 21% of new HIV infections in 2010, according to the CDC. Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began, more than 260,800 African Americans have died from AIDS, and more than 96,200 Latinos have died from the disease as well. Clearly, the HIV problem is not going away, notwithstanding extensive advertising and public service announcements warning the public about the dangers.
"ARS, clinical latency, and AIDS progression"
"PrEP drug trials and safe behaviors"
The HIV problem in the world, and in the United States, is not going away — in fact, the statistics presented in this paper reflect that it is growing domestically. There is a vast amount of good information available for people who are intravenous drug users or who engage in risky sexual behaviors, so ignorance cannot serve as an excuse for inaction.
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