Epidemic Paper: HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS
Mary Thompson
Sci/163
October 26, 2015
Marquette University

HIV/AIDS

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Some people are confused about or unaware of HIV. The initials stand for Human
Immunodeficiency Virus. As the name informs us, it is a virus. There are many viruses; a virus
can infect any kind of life. An animal, a plant, a microorganism (yes, one microorganism can
infect another), any living thing. There is the poliovirus, mumps virus, the monkey poxvirus, the
measles virus, the Ebola virus and of concern here, the HIV retrovirus. Viruses are caused by
something called a microorganism (microbe). A microbe is one of the oldest living things on our
planet. It is a very small organism, which may or may not cause disease or illness. Viral infections
can be spread in many ways: a cough or sneeze, kissing or sex, contact with infected food or
surfaces, touching infected animals, a needle prick, or contact with fleas or ticks.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome/HIV Transmission
This virus infects people by way of sexual contact and/or the use of dirty needles used by
people that are classified as drug addicts that use needles to get high. HIV killed over 1.5 million
people over the world in 2013. Not all infected become a victim by way of sex or dirty needles.
Some victims become infected through blood transfusions. The most interesting thing about a
virus is that it needs a host to exist, or it will die. A virus will always cause a disease. A virus can
be specific in what cell in our body it wants to destroy. Be it the liver, the blood, or the
respiratory system.
Immune System and HIV
The most advanced stage of HIV infection is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS). It can take 10-15 years for an HIV-infected person to develop AIDS; antiretroviral drugs
can slow down the process even further (World Health Organization, 2015). People with this
infection have compromised immune systems. Meaning the virus has slowly started to destroy the
system that it is in place to protect. The immune system of a healthy non-infected person is able
to fight off many infections and most diseases. Our immune systems work as a defense system.

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This is like a fence or barricade the body has implemented to block out germs, toxins, bacteria,
and parasites. Our immune systems are amazing and complex infrastructures. When a person
gets a fever, this is a sign that the immune system is working. The bump that comes from a bee or
spider bite is another way the immune system is protecting us.
Clinical Symptoms
Many people are not aware they have this disease until the HIV is in its late stages.
Meaning if they are sexually active, they can spread this virus to their sexual partners. Some of
the signs and symptoms of HIV are weight loss, diarrhea, shingles, fatigue, fever. Early clinical
signs and symptoms of human immunodeficiency virus infection are protean (changeable) and can
reflect the effects of the virus or represent early manifestations of an illness associated with the
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Miedzinski, 1992).
Duration and Treatment
Currently there is no functional cure for AIDs. There is however, treatment for the
individuals affected. Because this disease has so many symptoms, the treatment is very complex.
Some treatments can prolong the duration or make it so the person lives longer. Sometimes this
prolonging comes with a cost. Many of the medications used have horrid side effects, and
sometimes they seem to cause more harm than the good they are supposed to be doing. The
"University Of California-San Francisco Medical Center" (2015) website: Drug treatments help
reduce the HIV virus in your body, keep your immune system as healthy as possible and decrease
the complications you may develop.
Prevention
The only real way to prevent infection with this virus is to remain sex free. If a person
feels this is not an option, use of protective condoms may help. One should always have their
future sexual partner screened for this virus. Do not use dirty needles if you feel you just have to

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get high. Medical professionals should try to avoid being stuck by used needles. By disposing of
used needles and used condoms in appropriate containers, the environment should be safe.
People can now receive blood transfusion without the fear of becoming contaminated.
Conclusion
HIV and the immune disease that is associated with it, AIDS, is truly the epidemic of this
century. There are many ways to contract this virus. Unfortunately, once you draw this lottery
ticket you do not win. Your immune system will eventually lose the battle. The symptoms are
horrid, and cause great pain to the person dealing with AIDS and to their associates and family. It
takes years to die from this virus, and the toll on the body leaves scars from the impact. There is
no cure. The ways to prevent are easily told, but these days people do not listen very well.
Therefore, the life you lead is the life you leave.

References
World Health Organization. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/topics/hiv_aids/en/
Miedzinski, L. J. (1992). National Institute of Health. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved
from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2146153/
University of California-San Francisco Medical Center. (2015). Retrieved from
http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/aids/treatment.html