AIDS: It is still an issue!
Earlier today I watched the movie, Dallas Buyer's Club. It
got me thinking about AIDS, and how deadly it is for us. I believe it is
important for all of you to understand what HIV and AIDS is so that you can
minimize your risks of developing or spreading the virus.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) occurs after one
has become infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (Alcantara). Over time the
virus develops into a deadly disease known as AIDS (Alcantara).
In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated
that the United States had more than 1.1 million people that were infected with
HIV ("HIV in the United States: At A Glance"). 1 out of 6 of those people had no
idea that they were infected ("HIV in the United States: At A Glance").
HIV is a virus that can be spread through a couple of
different ways. One of the more common ways it is spread is through sexual
intercourse or any other type of activity that exchanges bodily fluids (Alcantara). The
virus attacks your immune system and makes your body more susceptible to
developing diseases and eventually leading to the fatal disease we call AIDS (Alcantara).
In order to reduce the chances of developing HIV, you must
start taking precautions. For starters, if you're going to be sexually active
then be smart about it and wear protection. This doesn't prevent the virus from
infecting you, but it does help lower your chances of infection.
If you are worried you might be infected with HIV or AIDS,
then consult your doctor. He or she will test your blood and give you the
diagnosis. If you test positive for HIV or AIDS, there are ways of prolonging
your life with the proper medicine, but nothing can necessarily cure it.
It is
important to contact your previous sexual partners or anybody that you might
have exchanged body fluids with so that they are aware of the possibility that
they also might have HIV or Aids. This communication is key to keep the virus
from spreading and it is also key to survival.
References
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