AIDS and HIV

AIDS and HIV

Introduction

Being one of the most fatal viruses in the nation, AIDS (Acquired

Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is now a serious public health concern in most major

U.S. cities and in countries worldwide. Since 1986 there have been impressive

advances in understanding of the AIDS virus, its mechanisms, and its routes of

transmission. Even though researchers have put in countless hours, and millions

of dollars it has not led to a drug that can cure infection with the virus or to

a vaccine that can prevent it. With AIDS being the leading cause of death among

adults, individuals are now taking more precautions with sexual intercourse, and

medical facilities are screening blood more thoroughly. Even though HIV ( Human

Immunodeficieny Virus) can be transmitted through sharing of non sterilize

needles and syringes, sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, and through most

bodily fluids, it is not transmitted through casual contact or by biting or

blood sucking insects.

Development of the AIDS Epidemic

The first case of AIDS were reported in 1982, epidemiologists at the

Center of Disease Control immediately began tracking the disease back wards in

time as well as forward. They determined that the first cases of AIDS in the

United States probably occurred in 1977.

By early 1982, 15 states, the District of Columbia, and 2 foreign

countries had reports of AIDS cases, however the total remained low: 158 men and

1 woman. Surprising enough more then 90 percent of the men were homosexual or

bisexual. Knowing this more then 70 percent of AIDS victims are homosexual or

bisexual men, and less then 5 percent are heterosexual adults. Amazing enough

by December of 1983 there were 3,000 cases of AIDS that had been reported in

adults from 42 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and the

disease had been recognized in 20 other countries. Recognizing the Extent of

Infection

The health of the general homosexual populations in the area with the

largest number of cases of the new disease was getting looked at a lot closer by

researchers. For many years physicians knew that homosexual men who reported

large numbers of sexual partners had more episodes of venereal diseases and were

at higher risk of hepatitis B virus infection than the rest of the population,

but conicidentally with the appearance of AIDS,. other debilitating problems

began to do appear more frequently. The most common was swollen glands, often

accompanied by extreme fatigue, weight loss, fever, chronic diarrhea, decreased

levels of blood platelets and fungal infections in the mouth. This condition

was labeled ARC (AIDS Related complex).

The isolation of HIV in 1983 and 1984 and the development of techniques