HIV/ AIDS affects the immune system of the human body shutting it down causing an initial influenza-like illness that will be followed by a prolonged period when none of the symptoms show.
First discovered in humans in 1959 in a tissue sample of a man named Kinshasa, it is believed that humans contracted the virus from non-human primates when in the early 20th century a bushman hunter caught and butchered an infected chimpanzee.
Anti-retroviral drugs have been developed in the recent years that have helped in containing the disease giving the affected a slightly better life but have not yet been able to cure HIV/AIDS.
1.The HIV Timeline
Since it was discovered in humans in 1959, HIV has spread to over 60 Million people worldwide with over 1.7 Million in America alone. 25 Million till date have died from HIV worldwide while over half a million in America alone.
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2.What is HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV is a lenti-virus that affects by shutting down the immune system in humans. The infection was first clinically observed in United States in 1981. It was found that they originated in non-human primates in West Africa, transferring to human (primarily those who participated in bush meat activities) in the early 20th century.
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3.Affected HIV Around The World
All around the world, HIV has been spreading like wild fire over the year. There are now almost 35 Million people affected worldwide with the highest number of affected coming from South Africa where the number is staggering at over 5.6 Million.
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4.HIV-AIDS: Symptoms And Spread
The HIV virus causes Aids that results in a failure of the immune system in human. It can remain inert inside the human body for anything between 10-12 years. No cure as such, of AIDS have been found till date but certain treatments have been developed that might help in extending the lifespan in human as well as try and make the quality their life slightly more liveable thought not disease free.
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5.Status OF HIV Worldwide Today
Over the years, HIV has claimed millions of lives but fortunately now, with public awareness and medical advancements, it has been found that HIV is on the decline even though we are still a long way from eradicating it entirely.
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6.HIV Worldwide
In a recent research estimate by the Centre of Disease Control, it was found that in the US, there are now about 1.2 million people who are living with HIV/AIDS. It also found that 44% of these cases come mainly from 12 cities in the US among which are New York City, Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas and Chicago.
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7. HIV Among the LGBT
The LGBT usually have it tough from most people around them and when you are affected by HIV/Aids, you quickly become the pariah in your community. It has been found that men who have sex with men are more severely affected by HIV than any other group.
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8. HIV among the Black Community of America
African-Americans, it has been found are more at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS since black men are 7.8 times more likely to contract the virus than white men. Of all the new cases registered for HIV, African-American account for 47% of the entire number.
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9. A Women’s Vulnerability to Fighting HIV/AIDS
Low economic as well as sociocultural status has put many a woman in a disadvantageous position in negotiating safe sex or accessing HIV prevention services; which goes to prove why every second a young girl is newly affected with AIDS.
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10. Myths about HIV/AIDS
Today, nearly 1% of the world’s population is affected by HIV/AIDS specifically those between the ages of 15-49 years. It is a common myth that antiviral drugs can cure cancer. Although they are successful in containing the disease and making the life of affected slightly better, they do not in any way cure the disease.
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