The African HIV-AIDS Crisis - 2144 Words

AIDS is a known issue when it comes to global health, however, the region it has the most impact on is Africa. The human immunodeficiency virus, more commonly known as HIV, is a retrovirus. A retrovirus is basically a virus or group of viruses that insert into a host cell in order to replicate. HIV affects cells of the immune system, and destroys or impairs their function. As HIV progresses, the immune system weakens, which causes the person infected to become more susceptible to other illnesses. HIV at its most advanced stage is called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, otherwise known as AIDS. It can take 10-15 years for an HIV-infected person to develop AIDS. HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing of contaminated needles, and between a mother and her infant during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. HIV infection is usually diagnosed through blood tests detecting whether or not there are HIV antibodies. Ther e is no cure for HIV infection. However, effective antiretroviral drugs can control the virus to an extent, so people living with HIV can live healthier and more productive lives (World Health Organization). Eastern and Southern Africa only accounts for five percent of the world’s population, however it is home to half the world’s population that is living with HIV. The region has been and continues to be the center of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and accounts for 48% of the world’s new HIV infectionsShow MoreRelatedHIV and African Americans Essay1578 Words   |  7 Pagescommonly known as (HIV), which is a virus that attacks the immune system of humans by destroying the amount of CD4 cells in their bodies. Without CD4 the human body is unable to fight against diseases, which can lead to Acquired Immune deficiency syndrome known as AIDS for short. The first case of the HIV/AIDS virus in the U.S. occurred in the early 1980’s. The first spark of the virus was fo und in San Francisco with couple of homosexual Caucasian American males. Today African Americans account forRead MoreHow Hiv / Aids Impacted A Nation1559 Words   |  7 Pagesare either contracting the virus or not able to attend school, hampering their employment options in the future. A nation specific micro level example of how HIV/AIDS impacts a nation was a study that was conducted in South Africa that determined the factual negative impact on their economy. They found these conclusions due to the HIV/AIDS disease: a lower labour force, lower productivity, a cost pressure on companies, lower incomes, lower population, decreased investment potential, an increasedRead MoreStephen Lewis, A Canadian Politician And Humanitarian1311 Words   |  6 Pagesof watching Africans suffer through the AIDS pandemic, and critically examined how the neglect of global communities and their discrimination contributed to its failure to resolve. While the rest of the world seemed to be unrespon sive to an AIDS-ravaged continent, Mr. Lewis found himself passionately involved in the crisis and began to take action. Since his involvement with the United Nations in 1984, Stephen Lewis has tirelessly advocated for African citizens affected by HIV and AIDS, ensured thatRead MoreEducation, Poor Health Care Services, And Lack Of Modern Technology1626 Words   |  7 PagesLack of education, poor health care services, and lack of modern technology, are all global issues that lead to today’s health care crisis in South Africa. There are many negative images of Africa and its people that are learned by reading and listening to documentaries and following the news. Everything negative from the genocide in Rwanda to child sex trafficking, extreme poverty, high mortality rates and government corruption. Taking aside the legacy of colonialism and racial and ethnic inequalitiesRead MoreThe Main Cause Of Famine On Africa1674 Words   |  7 Pagesfamines in the past and that is still the case today in the African continent. For instance,in 2011 to mid 2012,east Africa had an extreme climate change that brought on a drought that was said to be the worst in 60 years.The region faced a prolonged dry season, and the rain that followed the dry season fell in low quantity resulting to a severe food crisis to the countries of Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia. The sudden food crisis is said to have threatened the livelihoods of 12 million peopleRead MoreHiv and Aids in the Black Community1140 Words   |  5 PagesRunning head: HIV/AIDS in African Americans ​​1 HIV/AIDS in November 15, 2012  Research, Definition, and Statement of HIV/AIDS ​African-Americans are the ethnic group most affected by HIV/AIDS. Ironically african-americans represent 14% of the population of the United States , but represent 44% across the gender line. African-american men represent 70% of HIV infections among the ethnic group, however african-american women are also highly at risk of HIV infection. IndeedRead MoreThe World Since The 1980s1154 Words   |  5 Pagessince it seemed to prey primarily on homosexual men. As it was observed that blood transfusion recipients and intravenous drug users were also contracting it the name was replaced with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and its precursor Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). As the decade progressed the body count rose and the world lost such beloved celebrities as Liberace, Freddie Mercury, Robert Reed, and Rock Hudson. Rumors swirled in its wake, ranging from the bizarre to the halfway believableRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Sub Saharan Africa855 Words   |  4 Pagesplac es like Swaziland, Botswana, Lesotho poverty, crime and systematic corruption are the tinder for the fire that is the HIV epidemic in Africa. Of the 35 million people living with HIV in the world, 19 million do not know their HIV-positive status. Adolescent girls and young women account for one in four new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Women are much more vulnerable to HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis B and C than the general public. Which is supported by this excerpt from a recent AIDSTAR-OneRead More The Cause and Effect of HIV in Africa Essay examples1398 Words   |  6 PagesThe Cause and Effect of HIV in Africa The ubiquitous acronym HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that gradually weakens the immune system until the body cannot fight off common infinitesimal infections such as pneumonia, diarrhea, the â€Å"flu†, and other illnesses. All of which can be part of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, the final stage of HIV that usually develops between 2 to 10 years after the infection. This infection is frequently transmitted through unprotectedRead MoreHiv / Aids Has Stunted The Progression Of African Economy And Education System1737 Words   |  7 PagesAccording to Feldman and Miller, HIV is a virus that breaks down the immune system of the host it possesses (Feldman xxvi). AIDS is sometimes called full blown HIV, as it is believed to be a direct effect of HIV (Feldman xxviii). AIDS is more serious and causes more casualties, and when it develops to its fuller extent, there’s nearly nowhere to go but down. HIV can be spread by, needle sharing, br east-feeding, blood transfusions, vomit to an open wound, and organ transplants. In second and third