The first chapter, written by Ryan M. Kull (2010), of the book entitled Handbook of HIV and Social Work concerns with the history as well as the processes involved in the transmission and treatment of the HIV disease. Kull defines HIV as a viral disease caused by the retrovirus known as the human immunodeficiency virus, and an untreated and uncontrolled HIV may progress to a fatal condition called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Deaths related to AIDS were first documented in 1981 and since then, HIV has progressed to become pandemic. However, since the method of transmission of the HIV is mostly through sexual contact, contracting the virus does not only threaten physical health but also jeopardize interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, social studies relate HIV to various social events, including homophobia, poverty, racism, etc.
The first documented cases of AIDS consisted of men with histories of same-gender sexual contact. The virus that causes AIDS was isolated in 1983 by the virologist Dr. Luc Montagnier and his team. Eventually, CDC discovered that the disease was not limited to gay men, but also affected people with hemophilia, heterosexuals, injection drug users, Haitians, and babies. Since the processes involved in the transmission of HIV was not yet fully understood, HIV/AIDS was seen as a symbol of immoral behavior, and thus, the patients with HIV/AIDS were discriminated. To fight against discriminations, organizations within the US emerged supporting AIDS awareness.
Essentially, the HIV attacks CD4 cells, a type of helper cell that identifies body cells infected by the virus. The virus will reproduce and hijacks more cells until the immune system is compromised. Without a healthy immune system, the patient will be severely vulnerable to various forms of infection. When the person loses enough healthy CD4 cells from HIV, the condition is diagnosed as AIDS. Although HIV/AIDS is still incurable, medication can fully prevent the deterioration of the immune system.
References
Kull, Ryan M. (2010). HIV History, Illness, Transmission, and Treatment. In C. C. Poindexter (Ed.), Handbook of HIV and Social Work (pp. 3-30). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
