Developments Regarding the Human Immunodeficiency Virus - Essay Example

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS) Introduction For several decades now, humans are still finding the key to an everlasting life. Nonetheless,no one has ever conquered the medicine field to provide a cure for every kind of diseases no matter how intellectually competitive and physically capacitated mortals are. In other words, the search for a universal medicine in history is still considered a myth until proven. In connection, the 1980’s is considered as the most challenging period for those individuals who are in the field of medicine. Although it is the year of enormous economic liberalization among countries, it is also the period of emergence of the disease commonly known as AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic or deadly disease throughout the world. Some countries has implemented strict compliance to their basic health policies and even directed medical officers to prepare a strategic plan to combat the spread of such disease. Remarkable deaths have been recorded upon the immergence of this contagious and international illness. This is said to be transmitted by engaging into unprotected sex, sharing of needles and by vertical transmission (Cichocki). The lentivirus named as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the root cause of this malady. The usual symptoms of AIDS are rapid weight loss, weak mental and emotional state, breathing trouble and skin rashes (Cichocki). Globally, almost fifty million people are living with HIV/AIDS and majority of those infected are located in Sub-Saharan Africa (Czuchna and Lang G57). The lack of proper hygiene and effective prevention by the government are cited as the main reasons for the widespread of this virus in the said region. Accordingly, the poor economic state of the country is seen to worsen this problem as well as the unavailability of treatment centers and hospitals. Unluckily, despite the initiative of the World Health Organization for an immediate aid, the country is still in great peril. This is because the help extended is not objectively made for a long term effect but only for prevention purpose. Furthermore, the African culture is also observed as a contributory factor of the continuous increase of HIV/AIDS victim annually. Africans tend to value the importance of sharing something to others especially with their family members. This is because of their limited recourses and lack of formal livelihood and education. As a consequence, more and more African members are inclined to be immersed with the sick population. In the United States (US), more or less 1 million individuals are contaminated with HIV/AIDS and almost half of them do not know that they are already infected (Ward). This is comprehensible since it takes several years for one to viably notice the major signs of the infection. Usually, the symptoms are visible within 10-15 years right after the HIV virus “transforms into a full blown AIDS” (Cole, Logan, and Shannon). Interestingly, most of the affected individuals are already in the terminal stage when they realize of the contamination. Worst of this, is that they already have contact with someone else before they actually know of it. As a result, many individuals are infected with this disease unwittingly and unexpectedly. Additionally, most of these victims are women than men (Czuchna and Lang G57). Therefore, it is highly advisable for anyone to be cautious and attentive enough when having contact with someone much more if that individual is a stranger. Developments Regarding the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Twenty five years have gone by since the occurrence of casualties because of AIDS as caused by HIV. The first recorded case of HIV was during 1980’s in the United States. It was then in New York where some gays were treated because of a disease that was able to resist any treatments and medications. Nevertheless, a group of researchers led by Professor Michael Worobey recently showed that the virus started to ramify among humans between 1884 and 1924 which was catalyzed by the industrialization of the African continent (University of Arizona). Despite of these varying ideas, HIV was decisively considered as a very stubborn, strong, and contagious virus even before its actual formal investigation. In fact, the several treatments employed by medical scientists failed to completely cure the contaminated person. These events led to its never-ending study with the aim to discover a cure. In line with this effort, international private organizations like the World Health Organization specifically funded and recruited the best scientists and researchers in the various scientific field for which the virtual aim was to provide a hope even for an extended life for the victims. This viral disease has challenged scientists recently. In effect, some of them thoroughly reviewed the origin of the disease, “described pathogenesis and transmission routes and developed diagnostic tests and treatments” (Kallings 218-243). However, a growing number of individuals are still infected across boundaries. Nevertheless, there are various disparities that influence HIV-infected individuals. These disparities may include age, sex, ethnicity, social status and location (Chu and Selwyn). Earlier last year, medical professionals have recommended the use of prophylactic HIV-1 vaccine to cure for victims who were newly infected with the virus. Karlsson Hedestam et al. stated that this process involved “neutralizing the antibody responses against the virus and thereafter preventing its formation and population.” However, only partial evidence was provided to support the effectiveness of this vaccine. Another recorded proposal for the prevention of the virus was the therapy called the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). This therapy was applied to adults who were infected with HIV to balance the effects of the virus in the body. This was observed to prolong the quality of life of the HIV patient (Burgoyne and Tan 469-473). Although this therapy was found to be effective in suppressing the progression of the disease, many HIV patients still opt to “using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to manage symptoms and side-effects of conventional HIV medication” (Littlewood and Vanable). Eisenberg et al. defined CAM as the blending of unconventional methods of medication such as therapies, acupuncture, herbal remedies and others (qtd. in Littlewood and Vanable). The most recent development recorded instituted gene therapy to treat the infected victims. This therapy was founded by the Nobel Prize winner named David Baltimore. It involved the replacement of the patient’s “bone marrow cells with those from a donor who had a naturally occurring genetic mutation” (Schoofs A13). It was found out that this process rendered the patient’s “cells immune to almost all strains of HIV” (Schoofs A13). The Current and Future State of HIV/AIDS In its essence, the current state of the disease poses a threat to human existence. The international community is unified in fighting the prevalent spread of HIV/AIDS. It is interesting to take note that the countries which are mostly affected are industrialized and poor countries. Hence, efforts to discover a breakthrough medicine are needed even if it will cost a vast amount of labor and financial resource. Likewise, amidst the many discoveries of treatments, there has been no known cure for HIV/AIDS. The therapies employed were just for reduction of the side effects of medications and increasing the chance for survival of the victims. Millions of dollars have been spent for researchers and scientists just for the formulation of a medicine that can cure an infected patient and possibly fight its progression. Indeed, HIV/AIDS is the most fatal disease since the beginning of human creation. Conversely, the mystery of this disease will continue to hunt the modern civilization and will serve as the main barrier for achieving the ends of highest development in the future. This is based on the inevitable fact that when someone contacts such virus, the contamination will eventually lead to AIDS. The positive side, however, is that with proper medication and treatment, victims can expect to live long (Czuchna and Lang G57). Conclusion HIV is truly the most deadly virus ever encountered and attacked the human race. The unknown origin and composition of the virus are the chief reasons why until now there is no medicine yet to fully cure and prevent its spread all around the world. At some point, the emergence of HIV/AIDS can be referred to as a deadly plague that will continue to endanger the human species until the end of the world. Its enormous resistance to any medications is a sign that there is a strain of virus that will continue to live as long as humans are present in the outside sphere. Works Cited Burgoyne, Robert, and Darrell Tan. “Prolongation and Quality of Life for HIV-infected Adults Treated with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART): A Balancing Act.” Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 61.3 (2008): 469-473. Print. Chu, Carolyn, and Peter Selwyn. “Current Health Disparities in HIV/AIDS.” ConsultantLive. CMPMedia LLC, 1 March 2008. Web. 18 Dec. 2009. Cichocki, Mark. “Quick Facts - Vertical Transmission.” About.com. New York Times, 30 Nov. 2008. Web. 18 Dec. 2009. Cole, Jennifer, T.K. Logan, and Lisa Shannon. “Self-Perceived Risk of HIV among Women with Protective Orders against Male Partners.” Health and Social Work 33 (2008): 287-298. Print. Czuchna, Bruce and Diane Lang. “Much Work Still to Do in Battling HIV/AIDS.” The Register Guard 30 Nov. 2008: G57. Print. Kallings, Lars. “The First Postmodern Pandemic: 25 Years of HIV/AIDS.” Journal of Internal Medicine 263.3 (2008): 218-243. Print. Karlsson Hedestam, Gunilla, Ron A.M. Fouchier, Sanjay Phogat, Dennis R. Burton, Joseph Sodroski, and Richard T. Wyatt. “The Challenges of Eliciting Neutralizing Antibodies to HIV-1 and to Influenza Virus.” Nature Reviews Microbiology 6 (2008): 143-155. Print. Littlewood, Rae, and Peter Vanable. “Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among HIV People: Research Synthesis and Implications for HIV Care.” AIDS Care 20.8 (2008): 1002-1018. Web. 21 Dec. 2009. Schoofs, Mark. “A Doctor, a Mutation and a Potential Cure for AIDS: A Bone Marrow Transplant to Treat a Leukemia Patient Also Gives Him Virus-Resistant Cells.” The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 7 Nov. 2008: A13. Web. 21 Dec. 2009. University of Arizona. “HIV/AIDS Pandemic Began Around 1900, Earlier Than Previously Thought; Urbanization in Africa Marked Outbreak.” ScienceDaily. Science Daily, 2 Oct. 2008. Web. 21 Dec. 2009. Ward, Sheila. “African-Centered Dance: An Intervention Tool in HIV/AIDS Prevention.” JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance 79 (2008). Print. Read More