The acronym HIV represents the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is a virus that occupies some specific cells of immune system to replicate itself. It causes sluggish but continuous impairment to the immune system. AIDS which symbolizes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the ailment detected when there are a cluster of correlated indicators that are instigated by progressive HIV infection or at the instance when an individual has below 200 CD4 cells. This condition makes the body susceptible to dangerous infections like opportunistic infections. Customarily, the human immune system is the body’s defence. When the virus comes into the body, it weakens this defence system. Ultimately, the defence turns out to be very feeble and incapable of defending the body. At the moment this occurs, the individual is said to have AIDS.
The transmission of HIV is usually through the four major body fluids that are blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. So as to transmit HIV from a person to another, any HIV-contaminated fluid from an individual desires to gain entry into the blood circulation of the other individual. Commonly, HIV is spread via sharing needles, unprotected sex, and from mother to baby prior to or throughout delivery or during the breastfeeding phase.
There are several diverse kinds of tests being employed to assist people in establishing their HIV status. The most common test is the normal antibody test. Others include ELISA, OraSure, Rapid Test and Home Access.
Treatment wise, contemporary HIV antiviral and opportunistic infections treatments are extending many HIV positive individuals lifespan. Research is making huge steps in advancing vaccines and enhanced medicines for individuals who exist with HIV, however there is no cure.
References
American Psychological Association (APA) Style Work shop: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/apa/index.html
Hahn, D.B., Payne, W.A., & Lucas, E.B. (2010) Focus on Health (10th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill
http://www.mhhe.com/hahn10e
Week 6
There has been a trend toward self-care. What are some ways this is evident and what are some of the reasons for the popularity of this movement?
Self-Care refers to the events persons, relations and societies carry out with the purpose of augmenting health, averting disease, restraining infection, and reinstating health. These accomplishments are derived from information and abilities from the puddle of both qualified and untrained know-how. They are carried out by unprofessional persons on their own behalf, either distinctly or in participative cooperation with specialists.
Many people have so numerous everyday jobs in life that they overlook watching over themselves. Whereas it is difficult to prioritize an event such as taking a bath while an individual has a lot of other main concerns in life, self care is a significant attribute of stress management. A simple massage, a tub soak or other varieties of pampering invigorate one completely. Whilst self-pampering does not constantly initiate main developments in general health the manner healthy diet and exercise perform, the respite one obtains from it can generate the respite reaction, which can thwart chronic stress from being detrimental to ones’ health, thus, self-care is excellent for an individual’s well being.
In addition, taking a break to mind about oneself can remind one that one’s’ needs are significant, as well. Possessing a healthy and fit body can make one regard himself as an alpha individual and having a good life, and this is conveyed to others that he or she value his or her life. This can add to long-term belief of wellbeing. Persons who disregard their own requirements and overlook nurturing themselves are in a risk of profound altitudes of misery, low self-worth and feelings of bitterness.
References
American Psychological Association (APA) Style Work shop: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/apa/index.html
Hahn, D.B., Payne, W.A., & Lucas, E.B. (2010) Focus on Health (10th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill
http://www.mhhe.com/hahn10e
Week 7
What are "air toxics" and where do you think you are most likely to be exposed to them; and what steps can you take to minimize your exposure?
Air pollution happens when the air encompasses odour, gases, dust, or fumes in quantities that could be damaging to the wellbeing or luxury of people. The constituents that source air pollution are known as pollutants. Parts of these are the so called air toxics. There are about 189 air toxic constituents that have been recognized. Among these is benzene, 1, 3 butadiene and the polycyclic perfumed hydrocarbons. These are produced from internal combustion engines comprising motor automobiles. Diesel cars are identified to produce predominantly high concentrations of polycyclic perfumed hydrocarbons. It is consequently not astonishing to acknowledge that the air toxics levels will be elevated near hectic roads.
As much as cars are the main cradle of air toxics for persons with restricted contact with cigarette smoke, this is not at all times the case for cigarette smokers and their related side stream cigarette smokers. Benzene is enthusiastically liberated into the air in petroleum vapour. Smoke manufactured by partial wood and fossil fuels combustion is an additional air toxic materials source.
Both benzene and 1, 3 butadiene are vaporous materials which are a portion of the air we inhale. The minute they move into the lungs, they can enter the blood and journey to the cells. Benzene gathers in the body’s fat rich parts. At disproportionately elevated altitudes, benzene may behave identical to an anaesthetic resulting to abridged echelons of consciousness. Deaths have happened when persons have been exposed to life-threatening echelons of benzene when ensnared within limited spaces. Researchers express anxieties regarding long term low level benzene exposure. It has been documented that this can cause a slender upsurge in the occurrence of leukaemia. Short term, elevated level exposures to 1, 3 butadiene can cause an augmented of eye, nose and throat irascibility incidence.
Of additional significance, though this has not been established, long term low level exposures have been linked with augmented lymphatic and blood creating tissues cancers. The polycyclic perfumed hydrocarbons enthusiastically stick on to very petite particles, which are certainly breathed in and can settle deep inside our lungs. Definite polycyclic perfumed hydrocarbons have also been interrelated to cancer.
References
American Psychological Association (APA) Style Work shop: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/apa/index.html
Hahn, D.B., Payne, W.A., & Lucas, E.B. (2010) Focus on Health (10th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill
http://www.mhhe.com/hahn10e
Week 8
Should terminally ill individuals have the right to ask for "physician-assisted suicide"?
The right of a capable, terminally ill individual to circumvent agonizing pain and hold on to an appropriate and distinguished death bears the authorization of history and is implied in the notion of systematic freedom. The utility of this right is as fundamental to individual independence and physical integrity as rights protected by several Court's verdicts regarding marriage, family associations, reproduction, contraception, child nurturing and the repudiation or dissolution of life-saving medicinal treatment. Therefore, following the courts current decisions regarding the right to reject medical treatment and the right to abortion inculcate that an emotionally capable, terminally ill individual has a protected liberty interest in selecting to end unbearable distress by generating his or her own demise.
A state's definite prohibition on physician assistance to suicide ,as practical to capable, terminally ill individuals who desire to circumvent insufferable agony and accelerate unavoidable demise considerably inhibit this protected liberty interest and cannot be continued.
My individualistic stance is that if we have faith in the fact that there exist a right to life, therefore, individuals ought to consent that individuals have a right to terminate that life at whatever time they desire. I do not have faith in assuring persons possess a right to life even though repudiating them the ways, mode, or information essential for them to get rid of life has any ethical uniformity.
References
American Psychological Association (APA) Style Work shop: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/apa/index.html
Hahn, D.B., Payne, W.A., & Lucas, E.B. (2010) Focus on Health (10th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill
http://www.mhhe.com/hahn10e
