HIV and AIDS Development - Research Paper Example

? HIV and AIDS al Affiliation HIV and AIDs stand for Human Immunodeficiency virus and Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome respectively. They are related diseases which have infected and killed a high proportion of the global population, extending attention from national to international boundaries for more research, and guidance to treatment and prevention measures. Unlike the myths around, they are diseases that can infect anyone in spite of his or her race, gender, or age. Based on the period of discovery the diseases could be traced back in Africa from where it is believed to have developed and spread. They destroy the human immune system, specifically the CD4 bearing cells (CD4+ T cells and Macrophages). The HIV takes control of the white cells once inside to make it function as a manufacturing base for viruses instead or the CD4+ T cells, hence lowering the immune system while increasing the viral load in the blood. The HIV and AIDs has no cure and people should focus on working towards suppressing the HIV mutation and not be overwhelmed by existing myths of cure. There are several means of transmission, distinguished into blood exposure, child delivery and breast feeding, and sexual contact among others, except the confusing beliefs. HIV infection develops into 4 stages before transforming into AIDs; they are both related diseases that could be treated from further advancement by prevention means, for the victim to live a longer healthier life. Keywords: HIV, Aids, CD4+ T Cells, Viral Load, Victim, Opportunistic Illnesses, Transmission, Blood Contact, Sexual Intercourse, Virus, Prevention, Treatment, Antiretroviral, CD4 Counts Introduction HIV and AIDs has been one critical health concern area that clinical and scientific researchers have invested resources in and continue to make progress in research. It is no longer a national agenda, but the effects of the disease have called for global governance to assist in preventing further spread. Until now, there are many people who do not seem to get the concept between the two diseases, and as a result, several myths have been coined within the social settings, some inflicting fear, discouragement, and stigmatization. HIV stands for Human immunodeficiency virus, while AIDs is Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; the two diseases are related and known to destroy part of the immune system, specifically the white blood cell (T lymphocyte), cells that are concerned in fighting diseases and germs in the body ( “HIV hurts” 2013, para. 1). Through the diseases, many in the global population have been infected and definitely affected as many die leaving orphans and their loved ones unexpectedly. According to emedicinehealth, “approximately 40 million people are living with HIV infections, and estimated 25 million have died from this disease” (2013, para. 1). They are diseases that spread like a plaque and are known to have no cure, meaning their treatment is just mere prevention of further advancement into dangerous stages. HIV and AIDs history Researchers trace the origin of the diseases in Africa as a transmission from chimpanzees, after the blood contacts of the two animals (chimpanzee and human). The historical means of the African population for survival was through hunting and gathering, hence the blood contact is thought to have occurred either in butchering or hunting for food. AIDs was the first to be detected (around 1981) among people, especially the gay and bisexual men, one being diagnosed to have AIDs after developing some of the opportunistic infections and cancers that were uncommon for people with healthy immune system (Gallant, 2012, p. 16). This means that the HIV virus was already in the infected people and had developed to advanced stages to be called AIDs; simply because the virus had not yet been discovered to limit its growth and develop treatment. After the discovery of HIV, it became possible to distinguish the two, such that if one is tested and found to have the virus, then he/she is termed as HIV positive and suffers from HIV infection and not AIDs. Before one acquires AIDs, the HIV disease must have evolved from the several stages to a point that one’s CD4 count falls below 200. It could be far much worse when it hits below 50, since it can easily cause death. Destruction of the T cells Once the HIV is introduced in the body, the cells at risk are the white blood cells (CD4 T cell/ T lymphocyte). The HIV, one of the retroviruses, binds onto the CD4 bearing cells and makes effort inside the cells, from which it would take control and make the cells a site of its replication to increase the virus in the body. The CD4 cells affected are of two types, CD4 + T cells and macrophages all contributing effectively to the functioning of the immune system. According to the World Bank, the HIV destroys the CD4+ T cells which “organize the overall immune response by secreting chemical to help other immune cells work properly” (1999, p. 19). As the HIV replication increases, the viral load (number of HIV viral particles per blood milliliter) also increases facilitating more HIV to kill the CD4+ T cells, which lowers their number proportionally. People tend to think that one may die soon after contracting HIV; this is true only when the infected individual has not received treatment from an early stage of the disease. On the other hand, receiving treatment even at late stage of HIV infection can turn the victim back to stable condition of early stage than many would expect. This is possible because sick individuals will receive medication that boost their immune system and suppress HIV multiplication in their bodies The forms in which the CD4 + T cells are destroyed are more complicated and may depend on several factors. The HIV mutation in the bodies leads to different quasi species, which influence CD4 bearing cells functioning. According to Rice, factors that would enhance viral replication consists of viral load, coexisting infections, gender, age, stress, congenital defects, and recreational alcohol and drug use, while stopping stimulation for the CD4+ T cells reproduction could result to minimal HIV replication (2006, p. 331). Often, the CD4 + T cells get challenged by the presence of an antigen arising from an illness, and in result, it stimulates the infected T cell to reproduce more of its immune mechanisms, but in the event that the HIV has taken control, it makes the cell to reproduce virus instead of itself. Further yet, “a local inflammation can cause infected macrophages to rupture and spill HIV into surrounding tissues” (Rice, 2006, p.331). All these issues affect the viral load, which the doctors and patients use together with the number of CD4+ T cells to guide them in treatment. Cure or Prevention? Till today, there has been no discovered cure for the HIV or AIDs diseases. Research is still ongoing and hence people have to take responsibility of their actions, to prevent and avoid situations that expose them to the risks of contracting the HIV. While there are a lot of antiretroviral drugs for the infected patients, it should be clear for all that the medications serve to lower mutation of the virus, fight opportunistic illnesses and prevent further advancement of the HIV, prolonging human life. No cure has yet been discovered, but there are a few available treatments and others being developed for the HIV and AIDs infected. Anything else about cure is a myth and applies to faith. Sick people are advised to eat healthy nutrition and perform healthy exercise just as in normal life. Changes may occur after a period regular treatment (impossible to distinguish a HIV infected person from others), but it does not mean the individual is healed of the HIV infection. As a matter of fact, the virus still exists in the body, only that the viral load is very low to be detected, otherwise a short period of treatment escape, could give them room for mutation. Related myths in cure: Some people hold that taking immune vitamins or boosters help cure HIV or AIDs. This is merely a misleading belief and could discourage infected patients from taking medications, once they try out and fail to heal in the end. By taking these doses of supplements in the correct proportion, an individual gets to live healthier for longer than those not taking and are yet infected. Some end up consuming them in high proportions and just like an overdose, it results in compromising their health. In South Africa, at the Eastern cape there have been identified reports of exercised beliefs that having sex with a virgin could cure HIV, and as a result, one nine year old child in Transkei area had been raped in reference to this virgin cure myth (“Debunking the myths,” n.d, para. 7). Others exercise their faith and assume they are cured once the viral load cannot be detected. Although faith is important for human life, the reality persists that any infected individuals are supposed to continue with their medication; else the virus would overtake their immune system again. HIV Stages into AIDs In many cases you hear people talk of AIDs transmission instead of HIV. Well, the truth is that nobody transmits AIDs, but it is possible for HIV, simply because AIDs is the end transition of HIV in late stages, when the CD4 count enters below 200 zones. As few continue to argue that HIV does not cause AIDS, there is supportive evidence of the relation between the two diseases through the orthodox science (“Debunking the myths,” n.d, para. 15). HIV occurs and develops in several stages; immediately after transmission following several weeks is the stage 1: primary HIV infection (Acute retroviral syndrome), whose test appears negative even with the virus replication been quite high. The symptomatic illnesses could occur in form of night sweat and flu, but it does not mean that anyone experiencing such symptoms is HIV positive unless later tested. However, the stage is characterized by high risks of individuals transmitting the HIV to others. Stage 2: Asymptomatic HIV infection is usually free from major symptoms and generally people would feel fine, although their lymph nodes may be enlarging as HIV focuses on their destruction. The period may also be accompanied by several severe conditions such as vaginal infections, shingles, ear infections, skin problems, or herpes. Basically, the HIV is detectible at this stage by the numerous illnesses that are as a result of the different viruses, which affect different parts of the body. Stage 3: Symptomatic HIV infection shows symptoms of massive weight loss and long term illnesses, severely damaging the immune system because the lymph nodes and tissues have become damaged following the long duration of activity, HIV mutation becoming more pathogenic, stronger, and varied to cause more destruction to T helper cells, and the bodies’ failure to keep up with replacement of the destroyed T helper cells (“stage 3,” n.d, para. 1). The opportunistic illnesses affecting the HIV infected patients could be Tuberculosis, mouth thrush, and pneumonia. In stage 4: progression from HIV to AIDs takes place, the risk of opportunistic infections and cancers increases because the immune system is intensively damaged leading to AIDs diagnosis. At this stage the gastro intestinal, respiratory, skin, Central and Peripheral nervous system are all at the risk of cancers and opportunistic illnesses. Transmission of HIV HIV and AIDs are part of the sexually transmitted diseases, but there exist other expected means through which one could contract the virus. According to Rees, spread of HIV occurs through sexual intercourse (either anal, vaginal, or oral) with an infected person, blood transfusions of infected patients, blood clotting factor, sharing of piercing or injection objects (e.g needles, razors or other cutting instruments) that have come into contact with HIV infected individual’s blood, and transmission of virus from mothers to babies during delivery or breast feeding among others (1997, p. 3). The transmission methods could be generalized into three; child birth and breastfeeding, blood exposure, and sexual contacts. However, there are cases of occupational transmission which cannot be doubted; nurses and medical practitioners have accidentally been exposed to HIV in healthcare by working with needle sticks, in surgery and delivery processes, patients, and hospital cleaning for other heath workers. While this is true, it calls for individuals to be careful in handling infected patients, both in health facilities and in social settings like homes’ activities. Transmission methods have raised controversy in the past causing HIV and AIDs infected victims to suffer from stigmatization. Some refuse to share utensils and even beddings, let alone association in fear of contracting the disease. Talking, sharing utensils and bed with infected persons, or mosquito bites are myths and have been proven not to infect people. While mosquitoes can spread malaria and yellow fever, no insects (including mosquitoes) or animals carry the virus, only humans do (Debunking the myths,” n.d, para. 5). Furthermore, vaginal fluids, semen, blood, and breast milk are the only body fluids that can sufficiently carry amount of HIV enough to cause infections. Therefore, saliva contact through utensils sharing is not part of the transmission mechanisms. Some believe condoms do not work to prevent the spread of these diseases, but they are proven to be a protective measure, since the latex used to create the condoms blocks the HIV and sperms penetration, and have another advantage against pregnancy. Conclusion In case any symptoms related to HIV and AIDS are detected, it is important for one to get concerned and get tested. If the HIV is found, it is advisable that one starts treatment early enough. Any one intending to have sexual intercourse is advised to do so with condoms to prevent the risk of HIV transmission. In addition, people should be knowledgeable to avoid being confused by myths that are false and misleading with regard to HIV and AIDs. Reference List Debunking the Myths about HIV/ AIDs. n.d. retrieved from http://www.karabo.org.za/myths_page Emedicinehealth. 2013. HIV/ AIDs Overview. Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hivaids/article_em.htm Gallant, J. E. 2012. 100 Questions & Answers About HIV and AIDS. 2nd ed. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett publishers. HIV Hurts the Immune System. 2013. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/infection/hiv.html Rees, A. M. 1997. Consumer Health USA: Volume 2. Connecticut: Greenwood publishing Group  Rice, R. 2006. Home Care Nursing Practice: Concepts and Application. 4th ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health sciences. Stage 3: Symptomatic HIV Infection. n.d. Retrieved from http://www.avert.org/stages-hiv-aids.htm World Bank. 1999. Confronting AIDS: Public Priorities in a Global Epidemic. New York: Oxford University Press. 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