HIV/AIDS:
Affects On Africa and African Americans
Over the past twenty-five HIV/AIDS has been a controversial subject when discussing the disease and its rapid spread among Africans and African Americans. Many will argue that the AIDS epidemic is a result of poverty, lack of empowerment, and other factors. This review focuses on understanding the description of HIV/AIDS and its affect on Africans and African Americans.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. The virus attacks the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening infections and cancers. Common bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses that ordinarily do not cause serious disease in people with healthy immune systems can cause fatal illnesses in people with AIDS. HIV has been found in saliva, tears, nervous system tissue and spinal fluid, blood, semen (including pre-seminal fluid, which is the liquid that comes out prior to ejaculation), vaginal fluid, and breast milk. However, only blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk generally transmits infection to others. There are many misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. HIV infection is not spread by casual contact such as hugging, by touching items previously touched by a person infected with the virus, during participation in sports, or by mosquitoes. There is also no connection with a person contacting the virus when giving blood whoever the person receiving blood or organs may be at risk. AIDS begins with HIV infection. People infected with HIV may have no symptoms for 10
Years or longer, but they can still transmit the infection to others during this symptom-free period. Meanwhile, if the infection is not detected and treated, the immune system gradually weakens, and AIDS develops.
People at highest risk for getting HIV include:
Intravenous drug users who share needles
Infants born to mothers with HIV who don't receive HIV therapy during pregnancy
People engaging in unprotected sex
People who...