7 Stareplica.com

HIV and Aids was first discovered in 1981 and took the world on a scary roller coaster ride. HIV does not discriminate by race nor climate. Victims are stricken with the deadly disease on a global level, and the amount of people infected daily do not seem to be falling, especially on the African continent. Typically a patient is inflicted with HIV, which destroys special blood cells designed to help the human body fight off disease. Without treatment, it is only a short time that HIV turns into full blown AIDS, a stage of the virus that has the immune system completely destroyed and any infection of the results in death. Wounds do not heal and something as simple as a common cold will kill the patient.

In the United States alone, more than 1 million people are living with HIV/Aids. In 2009, males accounted for 3 quarters of all new infections. In the U.S., 50 percent of the cases are African Americans. In 2009, only 13 children were diagnosed with AIDS from mother to fetal transmission. This number is so low because of antiretroviral drugs dispensed to infected pregnant women. In North America, 1.5 million people are living with the infection, whereas in Africa there are 30 million living with HIV/Aids. Out of all cases, 68 percent living with HIV reside in the sub-Saharan African region. Since the endemic was discovered, over 30 million people have died from the disease.

In the mid eighties before it was really understood, several HIV cases were from blood transfusions. Today it is almost always transmitted through sex, which makes the virus preventable with the use of protection. In the African region, reusing needles is common, especially in those countries where medical supplies are at a premium, however unprotected sex accounts for most transmissions. In the past, HIV/Aids discrimination was normal. Patients couldn't work in places where food was prepared and children were being denied the ability to attend school. Today it is understood that HIV can only be transmitted through sexual contact or the sharing of needles. In no way, shape, or form has HIV been transmitted in the workplace or from human contact.

Today HIV victims are living normal lifestyles and are even living longer. Modern drugs have enabled them to control the infection which allows them to be willing and ready to compete in the workforce. It is important for the infected to know their rights, and their right not to disclose their illness. Humans cannot tell if another human has HIV unless they were told. Education about HIV/Aids is the only real way to combat the disease. People only need to practice safe sex and abstain from needle sharing. Until that happens, the increase of HIV/Aids will rise.