HIV/AIDS Is No Longer a Death Sentence Essay - 2134 Words

I am positive; the simplest statement suddenly carries a huge weight when the words HIV or AIDS are followed right after. In the 1980’s HIV meant AIDS and AIDS meant a rapid and awful death. Death always seemed to be the end result in a world where we did not understand the disease that seemed to come from nowhere but was killing at an expedited rate. Thirty plus years later there is still no cure but there is now hope. Having HIV or AIDS is no longer an immediate death sentence. People infected with the virus can live a long and relatively normal life (2). On November 7th, 1991, NBA star Ervin â€Å"Magic† Johnson announced that he tested positive for HIV and was retiring from basketball (7). Twenty plus years later Mr. Johnson is living†¦show more content†¦There is no cure for HIV; some HIV positive people viral loads can be down due to a combination of medicines and a healthy diet. Or seropositive people could have some sort of a mutation. One example is where they over produce T helper cells (8). The term AIDS applies to the most advanced stages of the HIV infection; Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the disease it causes, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Acquired means you can get infected; Immune Deficiency means a weakness in the body’s system that fights diseases. Syndrome means a group of health problems that make up a disease (1). Killing or damaging T helper cells of the body’s immune system, HIV progressively destroys the body’s ability to fight infections (1). HIV is found in specific human body fluids. If any of those fluids enter your body, you can become infected with HIV. Common ways HIV is spread is by having unprotected sex with an infected partner. The virus can enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth during sex. Also, HIV commonly is spread within injection drug users by the sharing of needles or syringes contaminated with very small quantities of blood from someone infected with the virus. Women can pass on the virus to their babies during pregnancy or birth. HIV can also be spread to babies through the breast milk of mothers infected with the virus. Having a sexually transmitted disease such as Syphilis, Genital Herpes, Chlamydia, orShow MoreRelatedThe Pros And Consequences Of HIV / AIDS1008 Words   |  5 PagesOnce measured as a death sentence, the disease known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is now classified as a chronic disease. Acquired immunodefic iency syndrome (AIDS) is a potentially life-threatening condition that is caused by the human virus known as HIV. HIV damages the body’s immune system by destroying the fighter cells, which helps the body fight and kill harmful organisms and disease. The symptoms are treatable, but no cure has been found. 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