What’s the Deal With HIV-AIDS?
For the vast majority of people they hear the words HIV and AIDS and automatically assume that they are the same thing. Well, that is partially true, but it should be known that HIV or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is actually the cause of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
HIV/AIDS is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and is a global pandemic. There are millions upon millions of case worldwide, and it is a very openly talked about subject. Of course, as mentioned, it is a sexually transmitted disease, which means it is contracted through sexual acts. This means it can be acquired by vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Also, with oral sex, in rare cases HIV can be contracted through deep kissing, especially if you have open sores in your mouth or bleeding gums.
It should be noted that you don’t actually “get” AIDS. First, you’ll be infected with HIV, and later you might develop AIDS. You can get infected with HIV from anyone who’s infected, even if they haven’t tested HIV-positive yet. Aside from being sexually transmitted, you can also become HIV-positive through sharing a needle with someone who’s infected, or being born to an infected mother. With this the drinking the breast milk of an infected woman can also greatly increase the chances of becoming HIV-positive.
As it is a disease that attacks your immune system, over the year’s people who are infected will become more and more sick, and have a very weak immune system to fight off even the smallest of illnesses. There are medications to help boost an individual’s immune systems, but this will not last forever. Some people die a few months after getting infected, while many live normal lives for many years.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS. There are only medications to help fight the disease, and prolong the individual’s life. Equally as unfortunate is the misconception that HIV/AIDS is only targeted towards certain demographics, such as homosexuals, African-Americans, etc. People must realize that this disease is by no means racist or any of the sorts, we are all at risk, no matter what our age, gender, race or sexual orientation is.
The sooner that people understand this disease, then the better off we will be. There will be no ignorance to the fact you may become infected somehow, even if you are not sexually promiscuous. It’s time to be educated and spread the word about this deadly disease.
HIV/AIDS – what is it? Is it really a global pandemic? Find out what the deal is with this Sexually Transmitted Disease.
Farah Jones
