Throughout history, few illnesses have carried as much significance as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS. Similar human catastrophes have presented in our history such as, bubonic plague, leprosy and tuberculosis. All of these dreaded sicknesses have caused pain and suffering across cultures. Pain is associated with the physical distress of the patient, suffering is culturally distinctive, it describes the affliction of the human spirit and how community members cope with it. AIDS has given moral “do-gooders” a ripe opportunity to condemn others for behaviors which do not coincide with their perceived values. Globally, Americans have been blamed for creating the virus and spreading the disease worldwide. AIDS has created a symbol for suffering across the globe and this term paper demonstrates two different approaches to the care and concern for those afflicted with the HIV/AIDS virus.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS, is a disease entity that has been identified since 1981 among homosexual men and intravenous drug users, witch is characterized by severe weight loss, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes and some AIDS victims develop severe dementia. AIDS is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), The virus commonly enters the body via blood transfusion or blood contaminates needles and through sexual contact. The virus attacks selected cells in the immune system and produces defects in function.
The Essay on Hiv And Aids Virus People Cells
... two stages of the same virus. AIDS is the later stage, and most serious. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and belongs for a ... HIV/AIDS. Nor can we forget how millions of people are suffering around the world, unable to afford the treatment, unable to ... a vaccine has been difficult. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. People are known to have AIDS when their 'CD 4 count' ...
This leaves the body open to an invasion by various infections; therefore, called opportunistic diseases and the development of unusual cancers. The virus also tends to reach certain brain cells. Since the first AIDS cases were reported in 1981, through mid-1991, more than 190,000 AIDS cases and more than 120,000 deaths had been reported in about 162 countries worldwide. Sub-Saharan Africa in particular appears to suffer a heavy burden of this illness. So far there is no cure or vaccine that exists. Further study of AIDS patients revealed marked depletion of certain white blood cells, called T4 lymphocytes. Then, in 1983, a T-celllymphotropic virus was separately discovered by Robert Gallo at the U.S National Institutes of Health and Luc Mon tagnier at France’s Pasteur Institute Modes of Transmission Researchers.
In addition, in the early 1990’s, AIDS was mostly only infecting homosexual men. Now, it has spread to men, women and children of all ages and sexualities. Homosexual men are at the highest risk for HIV/AIDS. Today, more than half of all new infections strike population under the age of 25, primary women, infant and children death rates have risen sharply. If you are not in a monogamous relationship and/or you are not sure if your partner is HIV positive, you can reduce the risk of getting the virus by using latex or plastic condoms and by not sharing drug needles/equipment or sterilizing them before use. sex education should begin in the home before children even start school. If children are going to trust their parents and be able to discuss this issue with them, the parents need to teach their children about their bodies and their sense of self when they are much younger than elementary school.
When my generation was in high school, we had basic sex education in biology class. This class was given in our sophomore year for ages 15 – 16 years old. By this time, at least 1/2 of my class already had sex or was thinking about it. This is way too old to be teaching the basics to teens nowadays. “Sex” is a very delicate subject for both parents and teens, no parent wants their child coming home asking for a condom or telling the parent they had sex the night before. The double edge sword to this is what if your teen is pregnant and she does not feel she can come to you with this problem? Sex education starts at home, parents need to keep the communication lines open with their teens and not “freak out” if their teen comes home to discuss something they were not prepared to hear.
The Term Paper on Cultural Differences in Parent-Child Communication
Today’s children face more diversity than their parents were when they were at the same age. The cultural differences in how the parents deal and communicate with their children around the world are a great challenge. Parent’s involvement in their children’s literacy and communication either in school, home or community will be effective through communication strategies and awareness about ...
The HIV virus comes in several varieties, yet they kill basically the same. Our understanding of this virus and how it works is essential to finding a cure, and to preventing its spread. A majority of Americans have been exposed to or heard of marijuana. Marijuana is a common drug among all age groups of Americans. It was once legal and still popular. The US government and citizens have now raised the question if the party drug that is known to relax the body and mind should be legalized in the United for medicinal purposes. Marijuana helps cancer patients with pain during treatment, helps AIDS patients regain their appetites, and those with glaucoma have shown improvement in their condition. Currently, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. If you are infected with the virus, you can receive drugs that will only slow the virus from destroying your immune system.
However, there is no way of ridding the virus from your body. AIDS has weakened the confidence we have in the ability of experts to solve problems. This cultural value is blatantly evident in the model of care for AIDS patients. The bulk of care is focused on end stage interventions, when little can be done to extend the life of a patient. The victim becomes faceless medical record numbers, and are viewed in as failures of the medical system. Further, the American culture promotes autonomy and responsibility. The negative aspect of this cultural orientation is that it often justifies blaming the victims of AIDS. Members of the society believe the illness is the outcome of poor choices, namely engaging in high risk behaviors. American society has labeled the “innocent victims” as infants and hemophiliacs, and the “guilty” as homosexuals or iv drug users.
By contrast, in Haiti, individual rights are often under emphasized and unprotected. Social relationships are more important than personal accountability. As a result of this different cultural perspective, blaming is a less frequent reaction to the AIDS victim. Despite the Haitian’s knowledge of the transmission of the virus, the AIDS victim is not cast aside or worse, feared, as in the United States. The Haitian’s will take care of a member of their community, whereas the American will fear the member.
The Essay on Aids Hiv Virus
Aids. One of the world s largest killers and yet we know so little about it. It kills so many people each year, both men and woman. It s sad that we can t stop it. Aids starts with the HIV virus. This virus can be transmitted through 3 basic ways. Sexual intercourse, blood transfusions, and intravenous drugs. Most people think that they cannot get the virus, even though they have done one or more ...
To conclude, I do agree that AIDS patients are feared in our society. Although the risk of acquiring the illness through casual contact is non existent, the fear persists because of the lethality of the disease. Continued public education is necessary to help dispel the terror. Further, I believe more education must be done to inform the public of the changing face of the AIDS victim. The day’s are over when the illness belonged to gay, white men or iv drug users. This is now a heterosexual illness, spreading faster than ever. Until a cure for this disease can be found, AIDS will becomea large part of every culture worldwide. How each culture will deal with this epidemic will depend on its financial resources.
Bibliography
Bell, Emma, et al. “Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and HIV Testing: Perspectives and Experiences of Women and Men Living with HIV and AIDS.” _Reproductive health matters_ 15.29, Supplement 1 (2007): 113-35. Print.
Corless, Inge B., and Kathleen M. Nokes. “Professional Nursing Education’s Response to the HIV/AIDS Pandemic.” _Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS care_ 7.Supplement 1 (1996): 15-22. Print.
Holschneider, Silvia O. M., and Cheryl S. Alexander. “Social and Psychological Influences on HIV Preventive Behaviors of Youth in Haiti.” _Journal of Adolescent Health_ 33.1 (2003): 31-40. Print.
