Hac 240 Hiv/Aids an Overview

HIV/AIDS: An Overview

AIDS was first reported in the United States in 1981, almost 30 years ago, and 21 years ago HIV was first recognized. However, many people are still confused about the differences between AIDS and HIV. These two illnesses are different in many ways and very similar in one very unique way. In this short essay my goal is to clarify the confusion on the differences between HIV and AIDS and explain how they are related.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The human immune system usually fights and kills viruses that attack the body. HIV actually attacks the immune system making it virtually impossible to fight and kill the cells that have invaded the body. “HIV progressively destroys the body’s ability to fight infections and certain diseases” (Harris, & Bolus. 2008). HIV is a retrovirus, meaning, it carries its genetic information as RNA rather than DNA. The virus infects primarily helper T4 cells in lymphocytes; it then replicates its self destroying the lymphocytes and invading others (Milvihill, Zelman, Holdaway, Tompary, & Raymond, 2006, p. 13). This process breaks down the immune system leaving the body insubstantial to fighting off germs and more susceptible to illnesses.

HIV is transmitted in contaminated bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. However, HIV is NOT transmitted through casual contact; such has hugging, kissing, pools, sharing utensils, or coughing. The most common ways a person puts them self at risk for HIV infection are, engaging in unprotected sex, sharing drug paraphernalia, and using unsterilized needles for tattoos and piercings. If a woman is pregnant, plannedparenthood.org states, “If you have HIV and are pregnant, consult a health care provider who knows about HIV disease. Without treatment, about 25 out of 100 babies born to women with HIV are also infected. However, the use of HIV medicines, cesarean delivery, and refraining from breastfeeding can reduce the risk of...