HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by theHuman Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). At the end of 2010 an estimated 34 million people worldwide were suffering from the devastating virus. Nearly 3 million new cases occur each year as well. Here, some information on how it can be contracted and treated, plus the latest statistics on the illness and some of its more well-known patients. Click the next button to learn more about how the virus is contracted.

How It’s Contracted Common ways are via sex without condoms (unprotected sex), blood transfusions, and contaminated hypodermic needles (typically stemming from illegal drug use). Any of the body’s natural fluids such as mucous, blood, semen, breast milk, etc. cabakkthe virus. Capable of hiding inside your own cells for an extended period of time, the virus will attack your immune system, weakening it until it can’t defend itself anymore.

Treatments & Prevention Unlike other viruses, your body’s immune system isn’t capable of eventually beating out the virus. Scientists have been stumped by this since the Center for Disease Control recognized HIV in 1981. In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, advocacy groups across the globe are giving their best efforts by spreading awareness and funding campaigns such as promoting safe-sex and hosting needle-exchange programs.

U.S. Statistics Recent studies show that there are an estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States alone and there are 56,000 new cases every year. The overall number of cases has stabilized, bu scientists are still worried about the high number of new cases per year, and efforts are going into lowering that number.

World Statistics As mentioned before, recent studies show that over 34 million people are living with HIV/AIDS across the world. The U.S. is among the top 10 countries with people living with the disease; the remaining cases are mostly concentrated in Africa, along with some countries in Asia, South America, and Russia. The top three countries include South Africa, with 5.6 million citizens living with HIV. Nigeria and India follow suit with 3.3 million and 2.4 million respectively.In 2010, there were an estimated 2.7 million new cases worldwide, with about 400,000 of them involving children.

At-Risk Groups African Americans are most at risk among all other racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. as well as the world. In 2009, 44% of all new cases in the U.S. were African-Americans. Next is gay and bisexual men, and intravenous drug users. Prevention The first step is awareness of the virus and the steps needed to prevent it. Always have safe sex. Use condoms. Never reuse or share needles for any reasons. Get tested early, and get tested regularly.

Celebrities with HIV/AIDS The most notable, if not the face of AIDS Prevention is the NBA Legend Magic Johnson.Johnson announced in 1991 that he had developed HIV and has been successfully fighting the disease for the past 20 years. Olympic diver Greg Louganis is also HIV positive. The virus has killed any number of stars, including Rock Hudson, rock singer Freddie Mercury and tennis star Arthur Ashe.

What About A Cure? As of now, there is no known cure for HIV/AIDS. Although antiretroviral treatment can suppress HIV and can delay the illness for many years, it cannot clear the virus completely. Drugs need to be taken every day for the rest of your life, some of which have bad side effects on the user. Access to these treatments is almost impossible for patients in third-world countries.

Resources For more information on HIV/AIDS, please visit these sites:

http://www.avert.org/

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/default.html/

http://aids.gov/

http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/aids/