AIDS Epidemic |
Written by Carol Dickens | |
The AIDS Epidemic: Worldwide InfectionAn epidemic occurs when a disease or virus spreads so much that a large number of the population is infected. The AIDS virus can be considered an epidemic. In fact, it can even be considered a pandemic.Pandemics are epidemics that have spread over a large area. In this case, AIDS can be found all over the world, in nearly every country. In order for you to get the right information on AIDS, you must first know about its status as an epidemic and a pandemic first. Although they are not completely positive, most scientists believe the AIDS and HIV originate from sub-Saharan Africa. This is the part of the continent of Africa that is south of the Sahara Desert. There are many reasons why these scientists believe this to be the case. For example, they have studied the history of the disease, and the first cases of humans becoming infected have come from this portion of Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa also continues to be the part of the world with the highest population of people infected with the AIDS virus. There are many reasons why AIDS is so rampant in Africa. Since these nations tend to be very poor, they have limited health resources. In places like America and Europe, the medications for AIDS and HIV help to protect people, as well as slow down the progress of the disease. Since Africa does not have the money for this treatment, they have any easier time spreading this disease. Another factor in this is the lack of education. People there do not know much about the illness and they don't know how to protect themselves against it. In order to slow down the progress of this AIDS epidemic, there are organizations out there that are working to help people in Africa. They provide education and information on AIDS to the people that live there. With this information, they hope to help people avoid spreading the disease. They provide condoms for the folks that live there as well. Although they can't help everyone who is sick, they can provide medical treatments to some of the African's who are sick with AIDS and HIV. Although Africa has the highest population of people with AIDS, this disease can be found in even the farthest reaches of the human population of Earth. All in all, there are over 33 million people in the world who are infected with the virus, and without proper education and medication, that number will continue to grow. Over two million people have died from complications of the illness. As you can see, this is a very terrible and deadly epidemic. It claims human lives every day, including children. Children often have a much harder time dealing with AIDS and HIV. The virus progresses much faster with them and they often need a more aggressive treatment. People born with AIDS have a higher chance of dying soon from the illness. This means that education on AIDS needs to focus on mother-to-child AIDS, in addition to the virus that is often transmitted through transfusion, needle-sharing, and sexual contact. With help from organizations and people who are willing to donate time or money, this pandemic can hopefully subside. While there are currently no cures for AIDS, scientists are working tirelessly in the hope that they will someday be able to create a vaccine. Once created, the vaccine will reach people all over the world, stopping the epidemic. In the meantime, education on the causes and contractions of AIDS is the biggest weapon against the spread of the virus. If you would like to help, there are organizations in nearly every country in the world that are devoted to helping avoid AIDS. |
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