HIV/AIDS: ignorance is deadly

Since its discovery in 1981, HIV/AIDS swiftly graduated from an epidemic to an implacable pandemic that is slowly bringing the world to it’s knees. It is destroying millions of lives every year, leaving children motherless and fatherless and wickedly permitting the birth of many innocent children with the virus.

As of 2010, an estimated 34 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS with 3.4 million of them being children. Unfortunately, this number is growing.

Ignorance is void of respect for anyone

In the case of HIV/AIDS, ignorance is far from bliss. 1/3 of the people living in 7 wealthy countries have admitted knowing little or nothing about global HIV/AIDS. 1/4 of people with HIV in United Kingdom are not aware that they have the infection. They no doubt continue to live a normal life probably infecting other people unknowingly. Being aware allows you to protect yourself from the danger of the infection.

Deadly AIDS is caused by HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus). The virus works by attacking and gradually destroying the body’s immune system leaving it prone to infections and tumours. Around 30% of people remain healthy for up to 10 years after the initial infection.

HIV is transmitted via:

• sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral or anal)
• during pregnancy (mother to child)
• breastfeeding (mother to child)
• childbirth
• contaminated sharp objects (blades, needles etc)
• other infections body fluids

THERE IS NO KNOWN CURE FOR HIV/AIDS.

The treatments currently available are mostly effective in slowing down the development of HIV into full blown AIDS. In full blown AIDS, the number of immune cells has dropped below a certain level leaving the body open to various opportunistic infections that can take advantage of the body’s weakened immune system.

What next?

The fastest way to slow down the spread of HIV is to make alert as many people as possible and educating them. You may share this page if you wish. Protect yourself by noting the methods by which the virus is transferred. If you think you may have contracted the virus, make an appointment with a doctor and get tested as soon as possible.

References:

http://www.avert.org/uk-statistics.htm

http://www.who.int

You may also like: