Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS is currently one of the most deadly diseases present in the world these days. Fifty years ago, AIDS was relatively unknown; however, today this disease is spreading in our society at a very rapid pace. It is an incurable illness that affects human beings and destroying the person’s body functions ultimately leading to death. The causative factor for AIDS is Human immune deficiency virus (HIV), which slowly destroys the immune system of a person.
At the start of an HIV infection, the virus integrates itself into a cell of the host making it dormant to allow HIV replication to occur in a low rate without alarming the host’s immune system. (Padian, N.S., S.I. McCoy, S.S. Karim, et al., 2011, p. 269). This dormant stage may take many years, however once the virus becomes active it will destroy the immune system of the person infected. As the immune system of the individual suffering from AIDS cripples down, the patient becomes vulnerable to diseases and illnesses can enter the human body. The major way for the transfer of HIV virus from one person to another is through sexual activity or through transfusion of contaminated blood.
Until today there is still no cure for AIDS. Despite unceasing researches on how to combat this modern day plague, scientists still are unable to find a cure for this illness. A lot of medications are available which are prescribed to AIDS patients, but these medications don’t cure the disease, they just boost the immune system of our body to fight against invading infections. However, once infected, death was inevitable.
The peak outbreak of AIDS was during the start of 1990s. Cases of AIDS infection are reported in many parts of the world, however the infection rate in African nations were at the very top. The basic reason for that is the lack of education and awareness among these people. In 1997, almost 12.1 percent of South African adults suffer from AIDS and in 2005; almost 14 percent of South African children were made orphans because of their parent’s death due to AIDS. For years Africa was the “cradle” for AIDS but according to a study conducted in 2008 by United Nations, there are currently 4.7 million people in Asia are suffering from AIDS. Today the country with the most HIV/AIDS inflicted people in Asia is India.
As there is no cure to this illness, raising awareness of this dreadful disease is imperative and should be focused on by health officials and organizations. Though there is still no cure to AIDS, through the right methods of education, the prevention of its spreading can be made in order to keep in check this incurable plague of our modern society.
Reference
- Padian, N.S., S.I. McCoy, S.S. Karim, et al. (2011). HIV prevention transformed: the new prevention research agenda. p. 269. Berkeley: University of California
