What Is AIDS
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS develops from HIV which infects the human immune system. It blocks the production of T-cells which fight infection. This leads to rapid infections and often cancer. Once the levels of T-cells in the blood drop to critically low levels, a person with HIV is considered to have AIDS. In the 1980's, AIDS was considered a death sentence, but today many people live with AIDS with the help of various medications.
How is it spread?
HIV is spread through three main routes: sexual contact, blood or blood products (transfusions, sharing needles, tattoos, piercing), and mother-to-child (during pregnancy and birth)
Is there a cure?
There is no cure for HIV, but there are many medications that help people live with it today. A highly active antiviral therapy named HAART helps decrease the rate of infections and blocks new viruses from entering the body.
How did the AIDS epidemic begin in the United States?
The AIDS epidemic began in the United States In 1981 when 5 young gay men in Los Angeles came down with a rare lung cancer and/or pneumonia. The disease began to spread fast in the gay community. It originated In Africa, but the American epidemic brought the problem to the public's attention. Fear of AIDS led to a lot of stigma and discrimination. The Reagan administration failed to respond to the epidemic. President Reagan did not even say the word "AIDS" in public until a speech in 1985. Some medical professionals were reluctant to investigate the causes of AIDS further because of their prejudice beliefs. People believed that AIDS was associated with homosexuals, drug use and infidelity. Some people thought these people got what they deserved and society was better without them. Many people protested to pressure the government to gain access to medications and research. The FDA approved AZT as the first antiviral drug to fight AIDS. Yet it was expensive and proved ineffective over time. In 1995, HAART was introduced to combat the virus. This proved effective in extending lives. AIDS ended the era of free love in the sixties and seventies. People with AIDS were isolated from society. They lost jobs, were barred from schools, and relationships. Immigrants with HIV were barred from entering the country. People were afraid to hug, kiss them or even hold their hands. In the 1980's, AIDS spread rapidly in the heterosexual population, especially in poor black communities. People became more aware of the cause when public figures like Magic Johnson ( a famous basketball player) contracted HIV. This showed people that anyone could get AIDS. The government finally started to fund AID's research in the late 80's and 90's. In 1997, the AIDS death rate began to decline in the U.S. thanks to the success of drug therapies.
Impact of AIDS?
The AIDS epidemic opened the discussion on safe sex. It encouraged such issues to be taught in schools and led to government health care funds. Though it led to much discrimination, gradually the country came together to combat the disease. AIDS became not just a gay, black or poor disease. It became a disease that anyone could get.
AIDS today
Today, AIDS is less present in the media. People with AIDS live longer with new medications, but there is still no cure for AIDS. More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. currently have HIV or AIDS. An estimated 20 percent of the people infected don't know that they have AIDS. This poses the risk that they may infect others. AIDS is most prevalent in minorities and teens who have less access to health care. The AIDS problem is not over. The US is still searching for a cure and an AIDS free generation.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS develops from HIV which infects the human immune system. It blocks the production of T-cells which fight infection. This leads to rapid infections and often cancer. Once the levels of T-cells in the blood drop to critically low levels, a person with HIV is considered to have AIDS. In the 1980's, AIDS was considered a death sentence, but today many people live with AIDS with the help of various medications.
How is it spread?
HIV is spread through three main routes: sexual contact, blood or blood products (transfusions, sharing needles, tattoos, piercing), and mother-to-child (during pregnancy and birth)
Is there a cure?
There is no cure for HIV, but there are many medications that help people live with it today. A highly active antiviral therapy named HAART helps decrease the rate of infections and blocks new viruses from entering the body.
How did the AIDS epidemic begin in the United States?
The AIDS epidemic began in the United States In 1981 when 5 young gay men in Los Angeles came down with a rare lung cancer and/or pneumonia. The disease began to spread fast in the gay community. It originated In Africa, but the American epidemic brought the problem to the public's attention. Fear of AIDS led to a lot of stigma and discrimination. The Reagan administration failed to respond to the epidemic. President Reagan did not even say the word "AIDS" in public until a speech in 1985. Some medical professionals were reluctant to investigate the causes of AIDS further because of their prejudice beliefs. People believed that AIDS was associated with homosexuals, drug use and infidelity. Some people thought these people got what they deserved and society was better without them. Many people protested to pressure the government to gain access to medications and research. The FDA approved AZT as the first antiviral drug to fight AIDS. Yet it was expensive and proved ineffective over time. In 1995, HAART was introduced to combat the virus. This proved effective in extending lives. AIDS ended the era of free love in the sixties and seventies. People with AIDS were isolated from society. They lost jobs, were barred from schools, and relationships. Immigrants with HIV were barred from entering the country. People were afraid to hug, kiss them or even hold their hands. In the 1980's, AIDS spread rapidly in the heterosexual population, especially in poor black communities. People became more aware of the cause when public figures like Magic Johnson ( a famous basketball player) contracted HIV. This showed people that anyone could get AIDS. The government finally started to fund AID's research in the late 80's and 90's. In 1997, the AIDS death rate began to decline in the U.S. thanks to the success of drug therapies.
Impact of AIDS?
The AIDS epidemic opened the discussion on safe sex. It encouraged such issues to be taught in schools and led to government health care funds. Though it led to much discrimination, gradually the country came together to combat the disease. AIDS became not just a gay, black or poor disease. It became a disease that anyone could get.
AIDS today
Today, AIDS is less present in the media. People with AIDS live longer with new medications, but there is still no cure for AIDS. More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. currently have HIV or AIDS. An estimated 20 percent of the people infected don't know that they have AIDS. This poses the risk that they may infect others. AIDS is most prevalent in minorities and teens who have less access to health care. The AIDS problem is not over. The US is still searching for a cure and an AIDS free generation.