AIDS
By: Tyler Lanier and Meghan Parks
Introduction
Between 1999 and 2000 more people died of AIDs in Africa than in all the wars on the continent, as mentioned by the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. AIDs affects different segments of society in different ways. For example, children may have to care for an ill parent. Schooling may suffer as a result.
Causes
It is caused primarily by sexual contact that involves exchanging bodily fluids. Tiny cuts or sores in the genital area or mouth can spread HIV/AIDs. Coming in contact with an infected person's blood such as sharing needles may spread the disease. Pregnant women that are HIV positive may pass the virus to the unborn child.
Effects
There are several different side effects of the AIDS virus: swollen lymph nodes, flu-like illness, frequent fevers, excessive sweating, unexplained fatigue, rapid weightloss, pneumonia, low immune system, breathing difficulties, diarrhea lasting longer than a week. The flu-like symptoms such as: vomiting, fever, sweating, and dizziness will be experienced within weeks of exposure to the HIV virus. With the low immune system you will become more prone to colds and you will easily become weaker. The breathing difficulties a person with HIV/AIDS will experience are common to the difficulties one with asthma may experience.
Solutions
There is currently no cure for the AIDS virus but there are many ways to avoid or slow down the virus from spreading. To slow down the virus one with AIDS may take certain drugs made to slow down the virus. They may also go the HAART(highly active anit-retroviral therapy) which is the process of taking 2-4 anti-retroviral drugs. For those who do not have AIDS they may prevent recieving the virus by avoiding sex. If the person chooses to have sex then they will need to practice safe sex. If someone injects drugs through a needle then they should use their own needles. If a pregnant woman receives the virus then they must treat the mother and then give the baby AZT six weeks after birth.
Conclusion
In Africa AIDS is one of the most dangerous viruses and it kills thousands of people each year. We feel that AIDS should be studied to look for a cure for the people that have AIDS. Mainly what we are tying to say is that we should care a lot more than we do now about AIDS and don't kid around when it comes to AIDS. AIDS is a very serious thing and if you don't take the safety precautions then you will most likely be another victim of AIDS. So think twice before you go out and do something that you will regret later in your life.
Works Cited
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