international public health threats we face. Include why you believe the threat is significant and propose methods to improve our readiness
AIDS Major
Health Threat
Over
the last two decades, AIDS has become a serious public health threat. In United
States alone, more than one million Americans are reportedly living with HIV
and AIDS. Around the globe there are over 40 million individuals are suffering from
this illness; and about 30 million have already died since its discovery in
1981. More than these, reports suggest that number of people infected with HIV
and AIDS will continue to increase in many countries. The result will
particularly be catastrophic in sub-Saharan African, a region already infested
by the virus (Avert, 2013, p.1).
The
very nature of HIV and AIDS is one of the primary reasons behind its spread. Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome or more popularly referred to as AIDS is an illness
related to the human immune system. It is caused by the human immunodeficiency
virus in which the person experiences symptoms similar to influenza. This
includes fever, headache, throat inflammation and tender lymph nodes. After
which, the patient will undergo a prolonged symptomless period. As the disease
develops, the person will experience various conditions and infections. More
often than not, the infected is initially unaware of his or her condition as it
does not show any distinct symptoms. This then makes allows the patient to
unknowingly spread the virus to another person, thus turning it into an
epidemic (Avert, 2013, p.1).
Additionally,
HIV and AIDS are regarded as opportunistic infections. This means that the
virus is easily spread through sexual intercourse or exposure to infected blood
and other bodily liquids and tissues. According to reports, majority of the
cases happens through heterosexual contacts. This is most evident in countries
in which contraceptives such as condoms are unpopular as well as in low-income
regions where prostitution is rampant. In some countries however, the pattern
of transmission occurs most among homosexuals, particularly sexual contact
between men. With such patterns, it apparent that HIV and AIDS is a condition
in which socio-economic conditions as well as culture plays a crucial part.
This then makes the disease a major threat among developing countries and even
marginalized sectors of the society (Parker, 2002, p.343).
Although
HIV and AIDS have been discovered for more than the three decades, this
condition continues to have no cure or vaccine. Consequently, the
unavailability of a vaccine or cure gives the virus opportunity to infect more
people. More so, necessary services and information on how to prevent HIV and
AIDS are still inaccessible to poor countries, thus making it easily acquired
and transmittable (Parker, 2002, p.343).
Despite
of these however, it is still possible to control and ultimately stop HIV and
AIDS from becoming a full-blown health threat. There are a number of methods
that can be used to prevent the virus from spreading and infecting more people.
One of which is information. The access to education and information regarding
the disease itself as well as how it can be prevented can save many lives. It
is however important to emphasize that there must be a universal access to
these information particularly to poor countries and areas. This can be done by
placing educational brochures and pamphlets in community clinics as well as by
incorporating HIV and AIDS education in school curriculum. Similarly, the
government and organizations must make it a point to have a widespread success
for HIV and AIDS testing and treatment. Access to such services will hinder the
continuous spread of the virus.
It is
evident that AIDS and HIV is one of the deadliest health threats of the modern
world. However, through proper education and access to testing and other
treatment services, the spread of this disease can effectively and efficiently
managed and ultimately stopped.
References
“Global HIV/AIDS. (2013) Avert. Retrieved 1 July 2013,
from http://www.avert.org/aids-hiv-
epidemic.htm
Parker, R. (2002). “The Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic. Public
Health, 92. 343-347
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