Essay on AIDS: Let’s know about Essay on AIDS. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS is a syndrome that, as the name suggests, weakens our body’s immune system. This infection is caused by a virus known as human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. And there are also some reasons for its transmission such as unprotected sex, using needles that are already affected by the virus, transfusion of blood without testing and it is transmitted from affected mother to child during pregnancy. (Essay on AIDS)
Short and Long Essay on AIDS/HIV
AIDS: A Stigma – Essay on AIDS – 1 (300 words)
Preface
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS is a widespread disease caused by HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus that attacks the immune system of the human body. There is no known cure, although there are medicines to stop or reduce the spread of the virus completely. One of the main means of transmission of the virus is unprotected sex, AIDS is also a kind of stigma, due to which it is not openly discussed in the society for a long time.
Unfortunately, this taboo meant that not enough information was being shared about the spread of the disease, as most people were hesitant to talk about it. It has become an epidemic due to lack of treatment due to lack of information about it. As a result of which 28.9 million people were affected by it.
importance of awareness
The only way to fight the spread of AIDS is to create awareness among people. The reason for the transmission of HIV is negligence or neglect. Because of which it makes the bad situation even worse. Therefore, it is important that people know what AIDS is, how it is spread and what can be done to prevent infection.
Governments and non-profit organizations have launched various programs not only to conduct health screenings, but also to address the bias associated with the disease and to provide caution and some treatment to those suffering from it. Awareness programs have spread information about HIV and how to avoid it for years or how to prevent it from spreading. We are getting the fruits of their efforts today. The results are before us. The percentage of people living with HIV has decreased significantly.
But people should not be happy or forget that AIDS is still one of the deadly diseases, which can lead to the death of human beings. Various awareness initiatives have been organized. The most prominent of which is World AIDS Day – on this day people show solidarity with those who are suffering from this disease and remember those who have died due to this disease. The next goal is to create awareness among vulnerable people and communities so that they can be fully informed and prevent the spread of disease.
conclusion
Although new therapies can help control HIV from spreading throughout the body, the only way to prevent AIDS from spreading in the population is through public awareness. It reminds people that the epidemic is under control, but it does not mean that the epidemic is completely gone and carelessness or apathy certainly ensures that it can come back again.
AIDS: Methods of Prevention – Essay on AIDS – 2 (400 words)
Preface
AIDS has killed more than 28.9 million people in the years since the disease was first discovered. The virus spread like wildfire and infected millions of people.
The fact that it attacks the white blood cells weakens immunity and makes it fatal, rendering it incapable of defending the human body and putting HIV positive people at great risk.
Thanks to the efforts made by the government around the world, due to advances in medicine and awareness campaigns, the number of HIV positive people has decreased. However, no cure has yet been found for the disease. There are no treatments available but the virus can be stopped from spreading. But they cannot eliminate it completely from the body. In these circumstances, it is imperative that we focus on measures and remedies to get to the root of the problem.
prevention methods
- Know your partner’s health status – Both you and your partner should get tested for HIV regularly. Many health centers in different countries provide test kits. If you are hesitant to visit a doctor, you can get these kits and determine your partner and your health condition.
- Practice safe sex – Since unprotected sex is one of the major reasons for the widespread spread of the virus, it is absolutely essential that you practice safe sex. Using a condom is a must. Also, it’s best to restrict the number of partners you can have sex with. The more people you have sex with, the more likely you are to contract HIV or other STDs.
- Get tested regularly- You and your partner should go for periodic and regular check-ups, not only for AIDS but also for other STDs. Having an STD increases your chances of contracting AIDS.
- Do not abuse drugs – Do not abuse drugs. However, if you take medication, make sure the needles you use are disinfected and not shared with anyone else.
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis – Talk to a doctor or health care provider about pre-exposure prophylaxis. This reduces the chances of HIV infection in the early stages. It should be taken within three days of exposure to HIV.
conclusion
Since there is no cure for AIDS at this time, prevention is definitely better than cure in the case of this disease. With some simple preventive measures, this virus may not be completely eradicated but its spread can be limited.
What is World AIDS Day – Essay 3 (500 words)
Preface
AIDS is a public health issue, perhaps the most important issue ever recorded in history. Although the AIDS epidemic peaked in 2005 and has declined since then, there are still 37 million people worldwide who are HIV positive. In addition, as of 2017, AIDS is responsible for 41.5 million deaths out of 28.9 million worldwide. Raising awareness about this disease is very important. This is why the WHO has marked World AIDS Day as one of eight official global campaigns.
What is World AIDS Day ?
The first of December is the day designated as World AIDS Day, an international day meant to spread awareness about AIDS. However, spreading awareness is not the only reason for celebrating this day. It provides opportunities to common people to support and become allies of those who are HIV positive. It is also a day to remember those who have died of this disease, it is a day dedicated to the global public health issue.
Importance of World AIDS Day
There is no denying the fact that the spread of AIDS is not as high as it was earlier. Thanks to awareness campaigns, scientific advances, and new treatments, we can better understand and combat disease. However, we cannot ignore the fact that around 37 million people are living with this disease and this infection is being heard in different regions. Furthermore, people with AIDS are still subject to discrimination and live in fear of stigma. Therefore, it becomes very important to remind everyone that AIDS is still present in great abundance. The government and the public must continue to spread awareness, raise funds, and protest against prejudice and discrimination for people who are HIV positive. This is the reason why World AIDS Day is celebrated annually as a reminder to remind people that AIDS is not completely eradicated.
What to do / Activities on World AIDS Day
On World AIDS Day, we need to show our support for those who are living with this disease and who have died because of it. One of the most common ways to show solidarity is by wearing the red ribbon of HIV awareness. This ribbon can be found in packs of 100 at the National AIDS Trust or NAT’s online store. The order is free but people buying the pack should make sure they will use the ribbon to raise capital. The Trust also sells red ribbon brooches from the online store. Another way to show support is to either organize or participate in a World AIDS Day event.
conclusion
While the AIDS epidemic has been contained to a certain level, the disease is still not over. Until we achieve the goal of ending it, there is a need to continue World AIDS Day so that people do not labor under the misconception that this deadly disease is over. Instead people remained aware about the prevention and treatment of this disease.
AIDS : Causes, Transmission, Symptoms and Treatment – Essay on AIDS – 4 (600 words)
Preface
The AIDS epidemic was, at one time, spreading like wildfire across the world. Thanks to scheduled campaigns around the world, it is because of this that more people are becoming aware of AIDS – not just how deadly it is but what it causes and how it is treated. The more information we have, the better we can fight this disease. Therefore, it is important that we know as much as we can about this syndrome, in order to help prevent its progression.
Due to AIDS/HIV
AIDS is caused by HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a retrovirus, which means that it replicates by inserting a DNA copy of its genome into host cells. In this case, the host cells are white blood cells called T-helper cells or CD4 cells, which are part of the immune system. HIV destroys these cells and makes copies of itself, which weakens the human immune system. In practical terms, it reduces our ability to fight diseases over time. This does not mean that everyone who is HIV positive has AIDS. However, if the treatment is not done on time, then AIDS can develop in the body of a person who is HIV positive.
AIDS/HIV transmission
HIV can be transferred in three ways:
- Blood – HIV can be passed through blood transfusions, although this is quite uncommon these days. In most developed countries, there is a strict blood test before the procedure to see if the blood transfusion is infected. However, there is another way for blood to pass from person to person and it is through sharing needles that many drug users often do. If these needles are shared by someone who is HIV positive, the virus is transferred to the person with whom they are sharing.
- Perinatal- If an expectant mother is HIV positive, the virus can be passed on to their baby. This can happen during pregnancy, during or after delivery, or while breastfeeding.
- Sexual transmission- HIV can be transferred through the sharing of bodily fluids during sex. These fluids include genital, rectal and oral fluids. This means that without the protection of condoms, the virus can be transmitted through oral, anal, or vaginal sex. It can also happen if sex toys are shared with someone who is HIV positive.
Symptoms of AIDS/HIV
HIV does not always have easily identifiable symptoms. However, some symptoms may depend on how far it has progressed in the body.
- Early Symptoms- Not everyone shows signs of being HIV positive in this stage. Still, 80 percent of HIV-positive people do not show symptoms unlike the flu. These symptoms generally include chills, fever, muscle aches, joint pain, night sweats, sore throat, red spots, enlarged glands, weakness, fatigue, thrush and weight loss. However, these symptoms also appear when the body is fighting other viral infections. Therefore, people who have recently been at risk of contracting HIV should get tested immediately.
- Asymptomatic HIV – After early stage symptoms, HIV-positive people do not show any other symptoms for months, years. This does not mean that the virus is dormant. This is the time when the virus is attacking CD4 cells and weakening the immune system. Without proper medication, this process continues even when the person does not notice any symptoms.
- Late-stage symptoms- In this stage, the immune system is already weakened by the virus, leaving a person vulnerable to a number of infections ranging from mild to severe and losing the strength to fight off those infections. This is the stage known as AIDS. Symptoms of this stage include chronic diarrhea, blurred vision, fever, weeks of dry cough, constant fatigue, night sweats, glands that are swollen for weeks, dyspnea or shortness of breath, white patches on the mouth and tongue, and weight loss. It is possible
Once the progression of the disease reaches a stage where AIDS is more likely to occur, a patient becomes more susceptible to other diseases such as tuberculosis.
AIDS or HIV treatment
There is no cure for AIDS or HIV at this time. Since HIV is a retrovirus that replicates by replacing the host cell’s DNA with copies of its own DNA, the best way to inhibit its spread is through ART or antiretroviral therapy. It is a drug therapy that prevents the virus from replication, thereby slowing its progression or stopping its spread. It is best to start treatment in the early stages of the infection so that the immune system is not significantly affected. At a later stage, this treatment can be combined with other drugs to treat other diseases that patients have developed due to weakened immunity.
conclusion
When the patient comes to know that he is HIV positive, he finds it difficult to handle himself. However, with treatment now available to stop the spread of the disease, patients living with HIV can still lead long, healthy and productive lives.
