Aids Essay Research Paper IntroductionThe fate of

Aids Essay, Research Paper

Introduction

The fate of a person who has contracted the virus, which causes AIDS, HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency Virus) is undeniably grim. However when diagnosed with aids it should not be taken as an immediate death sentence. AIDS sufferers can fight off most of the symptoms and live a fairly productive life for many years after diagnosis. The following will be entailed in the body of this AIDS analysis; a description as to what AIDS is, and the difference between AIDS and HIV. The cause of AIDS and what can be done to treat it once it is contracted. A complete description as to how the virus works and why it s so hard to find a cure for the virus. Finally all of the components and parts that make the virus function will be included. Virtually all issues and information regarding the AIDS virus will be touched upon throughout this informative report.

AIDS what is it.

AIDS more formally known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is not itself a single disease. More of a drastically damaged or restricted immune system, which leaves AIDS sufferers highly susceptible to a wide range of infections and diseases other than the AIDS itself. AIDS is known to be caused by the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), which is spread in several ways. Infected semen, vaginal fluids, and blood are some of the ways it is transmitted. (The Medical Advisor 1997, p.96) Before going too much further into the specifics of AIDS and HIV it is important to clarify the difference.

AIDS vs. HIV what is the difference.

When the disease was first discovered people were only thinking AIDS and what the effects of it would be. But if only AIDS is thought of then an entire stage of the disease is missed. Since AIDS is really only one stage of the HIV virus. Thinking in more correct terms the disease of concern is the HIV infection. AIDS is merely the end stage of the initial infection. A person can become infected with HIV and not have AIDS simply because the AIDS stage has not come into effect yet.

Progression of HIV infection, leading to AIDS:

HIV is a chronic infection meaning that it will continue over a long time, it is also a progressive disease meaning that it will continually get worse. What it actual does is attack and destroy the immune system and produces a wide range of sick and devastating symptoms. These symptoms may however vary from patient to patient. The progress of the disease simply put advances in distinct stages. Also the rate of progression is different among patients. (Packer 1998, pgs.41-2)

The different stages of HIV infection:

The initial exposure to HIV is the first stage to the viral infection. Exposure to HIV as mentioned earlier can be in several ways; through sexual contact in anyway, needle sharing, or blood exposure, or even from mother to infant during child birth. It takes about six weeks after exposure before the victim begins to feel like he/she has the flu. This is known as the early HIV infection stage. Also known as the acute stage. The flu like symptoms may or may not be severe, lasting from 3 to 14 days, in rare cases longer than that. However the downfall to these symptoms is that often victims are unaware of the illness they actually have or are in denial because the individual will recover and seem completely healthy after the flu stage. Once these symptoms dissipate the next stage is then entered. This stage is a more complex stage of the virus known as the asymptomatic stage. At this point there are no symptoms of illness and the person will feel perfectly normal, and this stage can often last up to 10 years or more. Unfortunately during the early HIV infection and the asymptomatic stage the disease is highly infectious. This is a result of such high levels of virus in the body.

After the end of the asymptomatic stage the flu like symptoms will return. This time, however a little more severe. The infected individual will find that they will have large swollen glands, those being the most common symptom. For that vary reason the stage is called the PGL or (persistent generalized lymphadenopathy) stage. This stage can last from three months to a year. (Packer 1998, p.42)

Finally the AIDS stage is reached. However there has yet to be a cure uncovered, no immunity, and no vaccine. The average life expectacy for someone diagnosed with AIDS from time of diagnosis until death is three years. But with recent medical treatments patients are now living longer and longer.

What Causes AIDS.

It is suspected by scientists that there are at least two viruses that cause AIDS: HIV V1 and HIV V2. On a worldly scale the viruses infect equal numbers of people. However in North America HIV V1 prevails. The exact sequence and processes in which HIV undergoes is not entirely known by researchers as of yet. And some are even questioning whether the virus actually causes AIDS or just shows up in union with it. The reason why HIV becomes so harmful to humans is because for some reason it is able to enter the human body through minor cuts or small abrasions, mucous membranes in the mouth, vagina, or rectum without being detected by the immune system. This enables it to cause its damage to T cells without even being spotted causing a complete immune system failure. Patients will then develop infections that will inevitably kill them. Ironica