Human immunodeficiency
virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Sepkowitz, 2010). Following initial
infection, a person may not notice any changes in health condition or may
experience a brief period of influenza-like
illness. Typically, this is
followed by a prolonged period with no symptoms (Wilhelm, 2008). As the
infection progresses, it interferes more with the immune system, increasing the risk of common infections like tuberculosis, as well as other opportunistic
infections, and tumours that rarely affect people who have working immune
systems. These late symptoms of infection are referred to as AIDS. This stage is often also
associated with weight loss (Klimas, Koneru & Fletcher, 2008).
virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Sepkowitz, 2010). Following initial
infection, a person may not notice any changes in health condition or may
experience a brief period of influenza-like
illness. Typically, this is
followed by a prolonged period with no symptoms (Wilhelm, 2008). As the
infection progresses, it interferes more with the immune system, increasing the risk of common infections like tuberculosis, as well as other opportunistic
infections, and tumours that rarely affect people who have working immune
systems. These late symptoms of infection are referred to as AIDS. This stage is often also
associated with weight loss (Klimas, Koneru & Fletcher, 2008).
According to Markowitz (2007) HIV/AIDS is spread
primarily by ignorance on its means of transmission/prevention which include unsafe
behaviours such as unprotected sex (including anal and oral sex), contaminated blood
transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from
mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. The increasing
spread of the incidence of HIV/AIDS is associated with different myths and
ignorance concerning the disease. There are many misconceptions about HIV/AIDS such as the belief that it is a disease for
promiscuous people, homosexuals, bestiality, etc. The disease has also become
subject to many controversies
involving religion including the Catholic Church‘s decision not to support condom use as
prevention (McCullom, 2013).
primarily by ignorance on its means of transmission/prevention which include unsafe
behaviours such as unprotected sex (including anal and oral sex), contaminated blood
transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from
mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. The increasing
spread of the incidence of HIV/AIDS is associated with different myths and
ignorance concerning the disease. There are many misconceptions about HIV/AIDS such as the belief that it is a disease for
promiscuous people, homosexuals, bestiality, etc. The disease has also become
subject to many controversies
involving religion including the Catholic Church‘s decision not to support condom use as
prevention (McCullom, 2013).
According to Norman (2014), more
than 35 million people are living with HIV but about half of those do not
know they are infected. In other words, around 18 million live in
ignorance of their condition. That is potentially disastrous for them, for the
longer treatment is delayed the worse the prospects for a successful outcome.
What it also spells out is a massive global public health problem. He further
added that many of the 18 million will go on living in the way they always
have; having sex and spreading the virus. Too many drug users will continue to
share needles and too many sex workers will not take basic precautions. New
cases of infection vastly exceed the numbers going on to treatment for the
first time.
than 35 million people are living with HIV but about half of those do not
know they are infected. In other words, around 18 million live in
ignorance of their condition. That is potentially disastrous for them, for the
longer treatment is delayed the worse the prospects for a successful outcome.
What it also spells out is a massive global public health problem. He further
added that many of the 18 million will go on living in the way they always
have; having sex and spreading the virus. Too many drug users will continue to
share needles and too many sex workers will not take basic precautions. New
cases of infection vastly exceed the numbers going on to treatment for the
first time.
