Essay on AIDS
AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is one A of the most deadly diseases for mankind. It is caused by infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and deliberately breaks down the immune system of the body by entering in the white blood cells and rupturing the reproductive processes of the body. The cure to this disease hasn’t been found till date and it was observed in the year 2014 that the virus took about 1.2 million lives.
HIV is commonly spread via blood and semen through unprotected sex (both penetrative and oral), mother to child during pregnancy, delivery of pregnancy, hypodermic needles and blood transfusions. Basically, the transfer of bodily fluids from one body to the other in the above mentioned forms causes the HIV virus to spread. But, some body liquids like saliva and tears don’t transmit this virus. The first symptoms are usually characterised by a brief period of illness and then the other symptoms including fever, lethargy, nausea, headache, rashes, etc. can be noticed after a period of six months.
AIDS was first found by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the year 1981 and HIV infection was recognized during the beginning of the decade. In 1986, India witnessed the first case of AIDS infection in the prostitutes of Chennai and Tamil Nadu. AIDS not only has a great impact on the body functioning of individuals but also on the society, where it became a source of discrimination. People infected with the virus are teased, discriminated and made fun off in the society.
AIDS cannot be cured but surely be diagnosed by ELISA test and Western Blotting test and be partially treated by use of some drugs. The treatment for the disease is recommended as soon as the diagnosis is made and without treatment, the average survival time after infection is 11 years.
So, in order to prevent people from the deadly disease, the government should create awareness about the disease, dentists should be restricted to use sterilized equipments, people should avoid tattoos, ear, nose piercing and use of common blades in barber’s shop. People should also have monogamous sexual relationships.