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AIDS Information: Infection Symptoms And AIDS Prevention
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Published: August 6, 2007
AIDS is a brutal epidemic that has been one of the biggest crises of our time, ranking along with global warming, terrorism, and nuclear war. First appearing in the 1980s, AIDS has since claimed millions of lives. Tragically, because of the stigma caused by this disease, victims are often in a dilemma when it comes to knowing what to do and finding the right help.
Countless other numbers of uninfected people live in ignorance of the true nature of AIDS. As a result, it is vitally important that AIDS information be distributed to everyone, everywhere, especially those in high-risk areas.
It is surprising how many people are unfamiliar with the necessary AIDS information. According to the 2005 UNAIDS global report and study, only 33% of males and 20% of females within the 15-24 age group worldwide knew about the legitimate ways of preventing infection and about the myths associated with AIDS. The study also discovered that only 9% of all infected pregnant women were receiving the necessary therapy and half of the countries studied admitted that AIDS information and treatment were not readily available to their populations.
AIDS information is also needed to overcome the cruel prejudice still experienced by victims in many of these nations. Many people have beliefs about the disease that border on superstition or are simply erroneous. Even in our own country, persecuted groups like homosexuals and the African-American urban poor have suffered from a renewed bigotry due lack of education of factual AIDS information.
In order to understand the severity and damaging impact of the disease, it's important to be familiar with AIDS information regarding what the disease is, how it is contracted, and how to protect against it. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by a virus (the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV virus), which attacks and destroys a person's immune system over time. In fact, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is not a disease by itself, but a combination of diseases which eventually overpower and kill the victim.
Most importantly, one must know the AIDS information concerning ways in which the disease is contracted, and about the symptoms, however uncomfortable the details may be to some. AIDS is most commonly spread through the exchange of bodily fluids through sexual activity, the sharing of drug needles, or from an infected mother to her unborn child.
The first stages of illness occur after the initial contraction of HIV. When the infection is first contracted, symptoms are very mild; after two to six weeks, the victim may feel like he or she has a slight case of the flu. Some may go for a long time with almost no symptoms - even as long as a decade. But the HIV virus is still just as contagious during this time, but because of being symptom-free the victim may unknowingly pass along the infection. As more of the immune system is obliterated, chronic problems will start to appear. The HIV-positive state becomes full-blown AIDS when the symptoms start to become severe, usually ten years or so after being first infected.
Equally important is AIDS information on prevention. Sexually speaking, the simplest means of prevention would be to abstain from sexual activity or to limit it to an uninfected partner within an exclusive, monogamous relationship. Otherwise, be aware of a partner's health status before engaging in sexual activities, and practice safe sex. Having unprotected sex with a stranger is one of the surest ways to expose oneself to possible HIV infection.
In addition, those using needles to inject drugs and expecting mothers need to educate themselves with AIDS information on prevention. Although everyone with a drug addiction should be encouraged to seek help, a user must at least use a sterilized or new drug needle when injecting and never share with anyone else. An HIV-positive mother, if diagnosed early enough, can be given drugs like Zidovudine (ZDV) to minimize chances of infecting her baby, and what are called antiretroviral therapies to improve her own condition in the meantime.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the most extensive sources of AIDS information. Everyone who seeks AIDS information would do well to read any of the numerous documents and reports on their site. They cover every aspect of AIDS information and are continuously working to develop new ways of preventing this disease and distributing AIDS information among the public.
AIDS information must absolutely not be difficult or time-consuming for anyone to obtain. There is still hope that as AIDS information is made available to every segment of the population within every country and culture, this horrible affliction can be brought under secure control, and, perhaps, one day be eradicated.
Sources:
HIV/AIDS: Signs and Symptoms. Mayo Clinic. 22 Dec. 2006. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 23 July 2007.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids/DS0000 5/DSECTION=2
HIV/AIDS Prevention Today. National Prevention Information Network. Center for Disease Control. 23 July 2006. http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/hiv/prevent.asp
HIV/AIDS Prevention at CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 26 Mar. 2007. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 23 July 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/aboutDHAP.htm
What is AIDS? AIDS.org. 2007. 24 July 2007.
http://www.aids.org/info/what-causes-aids.html
It is surprising how many people are unfamiliar with the necessary AIDS information. According to the 2005 UNAIDS global report and study, only 33% of males and 20% of females within the 15-24 age group worldwide knew about the legitimate ways of preventing infection and about the myths associated with AIDS. The study also discovered that only 9% of all infected pregnant women were receiving the necessary therapy and half of the countries studied admitted that AIDS information and treatment were not readily available to their populations.
AIDS information is also needed to overcome the cruel prejudice still experienced by victims in many of these nations. Many people have beliefs about the disease that border on superstition or are simply erroneous. Even in our own country, persecuted groups like homosexuals and the African-American urban poor have suffered from a renewed bigotry due lack of education of factual AIDS information.
In order to understand the severity and damaging impact of the disease, it's important to be familiar with AIDS information regarding what the disease is, how it is contracted, and how to protect against it. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by a virus (the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV virus), which attacks and destroys a person's immune system over time. In fact, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is not a disease by itself, but a combination of diseases which eventually overpower and kill the victim.
Most importantly, one must know the AIDS information concerning ways in which the disease is contracted, and about the symptoms, however uncomfortable the details may be to some. AIDS is most commonly spread through the exchange of bodily fluids through sexual activity, the sharing of drug needles, or from an infected mother to her unborn child.
The first stages of illness occur after the initial contraction of HIV. When the infection is first contracted, symptoms are very mild; after two to six weeks, the victim may feel like he or she has a slight case of the flu. Some may go for a long time with almost no symptoms - even as long as a decade. But the HIV virus is still just as contagious during this time, but because of being symptom-free the victim may unknowingly pass along the infection. As more of the immune system is obliterated, chronic problems will start to appear. The HIV-positive state becomes full-blown AIDS when the symptoms start to become severe, usually ten years or so after being first infected.
Equally important is AIDS information on prevention. Sexually speaking, the simplest means of prevention would be to abstain from sexual activity or to limit it to an uninfected partner within an exclusive, monogamous relationship. Otherwise, be aware of a partner's health status before engaging in sexual activities, and practice safe sex. Having unprotected sex with a stranger is one of the surest ways to expose oneself to possible HIV infection.
In addition, those using needles to inject drugs and expecting mothers need to educate themselves with AIDS information on prevention. Although everyone with a drug addiction should be encouraged to seek help, a user must at least use a sterilized or new drug needle when injecting and never share with anyone else. An HIV-positive mother, if diagnosed early enough, can be given drugs like Zidovudine (ZDV) to minimize chances of infecting her baby, and what are called antiretroviral therapies to improve her own condition in the meantime.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the most extensive sources of AIDS information. Everyone who seeks AIDS information would do well to read any of the numerous documents and reports on their site. They cover every aspect of AIDS information and are continuously working to develop new ways of preventing this disease and distributing AIDS information among the public.
AIDS information must absolutely not be difficult or time-consuming for anyone to obtain. There is still hope that as AIDS information is made available to every segment of the population within every country and culture, this horrible affliction can be brought under secure control, and, perhaps, one day be eradicated.
Sources:
HIV/AIDS: Signs and Symptoms. Mayo Clinic. 22 Dec. 2006. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 23 July 2007.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids/DS0000 5/DSECTION=2
HIV/AIDS Prevention Today. National Prevention Information Network. Center for Disease Control. 23 July 2006. http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/hiv/prevent.asp
HIV/AIDS Prevention at CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 26 Mar. 2007. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 23 July 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/aboutDHAP.htm
What is AIDS? AIDS.org. 2007. 24 July 2007.
http://www.aids.org/info/what-causes-aids.html
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