Preview

HIV/AIDS Research Paper

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1239 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
HIV/AIDS Research Paper
HIV/AIDS

Throughout history, few illnesses have carried as much significance as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS. Similar human catastrophes have presented in our history such as, bubonic plague, leprosy and tuberculosis. All of these dreaded sicknesses have caused pain and suffering across cultures. Pain is associated with the physical distress of the patient, suffering is culturally distinctive, it describes the affliction of the human spirit and how community members cope with it. AIDS has given moral "do-gooders" a ripe opportunity to condemn others for behaviors which do not coincide with their perceived values. Globally, Americans have been blamed for creating the virus and spreading the disease worldwide. AIDS has created a symbol for suffering across the globe and this term paper demonstrates two different approaches to the care and concern for those afflicted with the HIV/AIDS virus.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS, is a disease entity that has been identified since 1981 among homosexual men and intravenous drug users, witch is characterized by severe weight loss, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes and some AIDS victims develop severe dementia. AIDS is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), The virus commonly enters the body via blood transfusion or blood contaminates needles and through sexual contact. The virus attacks selected cells in the immune system and produces defects in function. This leaves the body open to an invasion by various infections; therefore, called opportunistic diseases and the development of unusual cancers. The virus also tends to reach certain brain cells. Since the first AIDS cases were reported in 1981, through mid-1991, more than 190,000 AIDS cases and more than 120,000 deaths had been reported in about 162 countries worldwide. Sub-Saharan Africa in particular appears to suffer a heavy burden of this illness. So far there is no cure or vaccine that exists. Further study of AIDS



Bibliography: Bell, Emma, et al. "Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and HIV Testing: Perspectives and Experiences of Women and Men Living with HIV and AIDS." _Reproductive health matters_ 15.29, Supplement 1 (2007): 113-35. Print. Corless, Inge B., and Kathleen M. Nokes. "Professional Nursing Education 's Response to the HIV/AIDS Pandemic." _Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS care_ 7.Supplement 1 (1996): 15-22. Print. Holschneider, Silvia O. M., and Cheryl S. Alexander. "Social and Psychological Influences on HIV Preventive Behaviors of Youth in Haiti." _Journal of Adolescent Health_ 33.1 (2003): 31-40. Print.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Nt1310 Unit 1 Assignment 1

    • 7619 Words
    • 31 Pages

    Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) remains incurable and devastates many communities and nations. Since the first reported case in the United State in 1981, it has spread unremittingly to virtually every country in the world. The number of people living with HIV virus has risen from about 10 million in 1991 to 33 million in 2007. In the same year, there were 2.7 million infections and 2 million HIV related death. Globally, about 45% of new infections occur among young people (The Guardian, 2009).…

    • 7619 Words
    • 31 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    The rapid development of technology and especially that which touches on transport and communication has resulted to a high rate of globalization. Globalization has both negative and positive impacts on the global community. In the business environment, globalization has led to increased competition and enables consumers to get high products at relatively cheaper price (Stiglitz, 2002). In the health sector, globalization has led to emerge of new health issues and also a quick spread of the existing ones. HIV AIDS is one of the diseases that have been spreading at a very high fast rate due to globalization (Ford et al., 2007). In order to curb the spread promote health living among all the people, Canadians have been widely involved in the dealing with HIV/AIDS locally and in the global arena. This paper will focus on the involvement of Canadians in dealing with HIV/AIDS.…

    • 2063 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    AIDS is the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome where the immunity is severely damaged and lowers the bodies ability to resistance infection. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. Fluid from an infected person much encounter a mucous membrane, the bloodstream, or a cut or injured area of another person to transmit the virus ((Davis). Early symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a sore throat within two to four weeks of being infected. There are three phases to the disease. Thee first stage includes the acute infection and many people do not experience any symptoms. The second stage is known as clinical latency and means that the virus is dormant and reproduces much slower rate than in the acute phase. The second stage can last for one decade although it sometimes progresses faster. The third stage is AIDS. Individuals have low T-cell counts and compromised immune system that make them easily susceptible to infections and cancer (Davis). Social and economic consequence of HIV include loss of job and income, decreased family income, increased expenses for seeking care, and greater economic consequence, shown by selling assets. Those with AIDS deal with the social measures of being discriminated against along with their physical, mental, and social wellbeing. The disease can lead to a weakened family support…

    • 1437 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    HIV/AIDS DBQ Essay

    • 1125 Words
    • 3 Pages

    HIV is the virus that is commonly transmitted sexually and can develop into AIDS. In the U.S. gay and bisexual of all races are the most severely affected by HIV. HIV can also spread through breast milk, blood, and needles either through drug use or the use of an unsterile needles when getting a tattoo. Over 1 million people in the U.S. are currently living with HIV and 1 in 7 don’t know it. In the world, there are estimated 42 million people that are living with HIV/AIDS. The area with the majority of HIV/AIDS is in sub-Saharan Africa. Due to the brutality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic there is a need for a Public Health Plan.…

    • 1125 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    epidemiology paper

    • 271 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In a written paper of 1,200-1,500 words, apply the concepts of epidemiology and nursing research to a communicable disease.…

    • 271 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hiv Research Paper

    • 477 Words
    • 2 Pages

    -HIV positive is a fragile virus transmitted only through contact with body fluids. HIV attacks CD4 cells and macrophages. CD4 cell = T helper cell attacks this. It is the bridge for the target of the antigen and killing it. HIV gets in the helper cell and sends out more viruses to kill more CD4 cells. HIV slowly debilitates body immune systems, both T cell and B cell immunity. There is a latent period where the virus particles increase in blood and the CD4 level decreases in blood which increases the vulnerability to opportunistic infections. AIDS Diagnosis(acquired immune deficiency syndrome) occurs when there are 200 CD4 cells, HIV antibody, and presence of opportunistic infection. When…

    • 477 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The study also revealed that African American males were also suffered the impact of health related consequences due to STD’s/HIV. Communication with peers and relationship dynamics was also identified as a factor, and that “a majority (70%) of participants reportedly talked to their peers and friends about condoms and they were more likely (49%) to also talk to them about condom-related concerns” ( Kennedy, 2007). Lastly, the findings rebuked the stereotypes surrounding condom-usage by individuals who were experienced sexually, and that of the participants studied 51% were likely to use condoms, 93% knew where to acquire condoms and understood their importance ( Kennedy, 2007…

    • 911 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In this research paper we will understand what exactly HIV/AIDs is, see different studies about perceived stigma and discrimination among health care providers, and get a view of how people with HIV/AIDS feel about the treatment they receive. Our country has come a long way to erase discrimination, inequality, and unethical treatment, but we still have much further way to go. The first step is knowing and understanding what the problem or concern is. Then we must knock down those walls of unjust treatment, and finally come together to make the change for equality.…

    • 887 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The human immune system disorder now known as AIDS was first identified in the United States in 1981. A number of gay men in New York and California suddenly began to develop rare opportunistic infections and cancers that seemed stubbornly resistant to any treatment. At this time, AIDS did not yet have a name, but it quickly became obvious that all the men were suffering from a common syndrome. By the end of 1996, over 379,258 American men, women, and children lost their lives to AIDS according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Initially AIDS epidemic were defined by “the ‘Four H’s” of the disease risk groups-homosexuals, heroin addicts, hemophiliacs, and Haitians. Since none of these groups was a part of the social mainstream, it was easy for society to overlook their suffering or to create bizarre explanations for it. People widely believed that these groups of infected people were victims of God’s Wrath. The burdens faced by communities already struggling with discrimination, poverty, a lack of health care, and drug addiction have increased incrementally in the wake of this disease. The vast numbers of HIV cases in these communities have provoked fear and contempt among the politically powerful rather than mobilize them to develop adequate resources for essential medical research and necessary systems of care.…

    • 1788 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Papers

    • 732 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Haiti has a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic. It has the largest epidemic in the Caribbean, where about three-quarters of HIV-positive people live in Haiti or the Dominican Republic. Some people believe that AIDS and HIV are a death sentence. Some believe that it’s best not to know, and some find out and never respond. AIDS and HIV is in fact not the same thing even though both can cause death. HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. And AIDS is a disease in which the body 's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off certain infections, known as "opportunistic infections," and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system(1). This essay will show the devastating effects of Haiti. AIDS has destroyed the tourism business, stigmatized the prostitution industry and given the country of Haiti a bad name.…

    • 732 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2012). Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Retrieved from website: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=37…

    • 1251 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Miles, K., Knight, V., Cairo, I. & King, I. (2003) Nurse-led sexual health care: International perspectives. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 14, 243-247.…

    • 2791 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hiv Aids Research Paper

    • 589 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Over one million people in the United States are living with HIV/Aids. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. HIV can be divided into two categories HIV-1 and HIV-2. The HIV-1 strain is most common. The HIV-2 Strand is mostly found in West Africa, unlike HIV-1 which can be found worldwide. The HIV-1 strand is more pathogenic. HIV if left untreated will develop into AIDS. AIDS is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is the result of a long exposure to HIV. HIV will attack the host cd4 cells. Cd4 cells signal the immune system when they detect foreign substances. HIV will attach to these cd4 cells and reproduce. When this happens the cd4 are destroyed by the HIV virus. A Normal range of cd4 cells is between 500-1500. If this count…

    • 589 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Center for Disease Control. (Revised 2008). HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet, ¶1, 2 and 3. Retrieved February 20, 2011, from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/PDF/youth.pdf…

    • 1433 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Communicable Disease Paper

    • 1816 Words
    • 8 Pages

    AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome is the delayed stage of the human immunodeficiency virus and occurs when the cells of the individual has been severely damaged and cannot resist certain diseases and…

    • 1816 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays

Related Topics