All About HIV and AIDS Essay - 2068 Words

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome); HIV is the etiological agent of AIDS leaving the body vulnerable to a variety of life threatening diseases (8). Transmission: AIDS is transmitted from the HIV virus through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk to others from infected host (1). The virus can be spread through sexual contact by oral, vaginal, or anal sex; receiving a blood transfusion, injection involving needles, artificial insemination and organ transplants from an infected donor. Transmission from mother to child during pregnancy (intrauterine) from shared blood circulation while in fetus, delivery, or after pregnancy when nursing infant from breast milk of infected mother (9). The exact mechanism of mother†¦show more content†¦Tests used include CD4 count test to determine amount of CD4 cells/mm3 in host, a viral load test to measure the amount of virus in patient’s blood, and drug resistance test to determine HIV strain (3). History: The firs t published article related to AIDS was in 1981 by Michael Gottlieb concerning a random increase in pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) (7). Soon after another article reporting sudden outbreaks of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) appeared (7). Noticed and named by the CDC, the term Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is used in 1982 to describe the new disease related to sudden outbreaks (7). The causation of AIDS in 1982 was not known until the discovery of HIV on April 23, 1984 by Pasteur and Dr. Robert Gallo (7). In 1985 scientist realized HIV/AIDS can be spread through blood and bodily fluids (8). In 1985 testing first became available focusing on protecting the blood supply involving blood transfusions (8). In 1987 the USPHS issued guidelines making HIV testing a priority regarding prevention of individuals that have high risk behaviors (8). In 1993 the CDC recommended voluntary HIV counseling and testing to outpatients in acute care hospital settings (8). In 2003 the CDC introdu ced the initiative advancing HIV prevention to have new strategies concerning the AIDS epidemic (8). In 2004 the CDC arranged a meeting with a mix of professional health officials to best expand HIV testing and education for everyone (8). Since the discovery noShow MoreRelatedThe Pandemic Known As Aids1728 Words   |  7 PagesThe pandemic known as AIDS was first found in a human blood sample around the year 1959 and was later introduced to the United States in the late 1970s to early 1980s. â€Å"From 1979–1981 rare types of pneumonia, cancer, and other illnesses were being reported by doctors in Los Angeles and New York among a number of male patients who had sex with other men (â€Å"Where did HIV come from?†).† Due to these occurrences, doctors did their research and were able to trace the cause of this fatal disease calledRead MoreThe Prevalence Of Hiv / Aids1532 Words   |  7 Pagesinfected with human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodef iciency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are living longer lives and changing the perception of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There has been extensive research conducted on high risk groups for HIV/AIDS but little has been done to research and address the social aspect of aging and HIV/AIDS. 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Africa is the number one countries with the highest rate of HIV and AIDS among the other fifteen countries (Patel). HIV and AIDS spread among adults, teens, and even to children who know nothing. Around 35 to 42 million people are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and AIDS all over the world. However, about 25.5 million of the 35 to