The Impact of Aids in South Africa

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Contemplating the above topic, various notions arise in one’s mind. In my opinion, South Africa has one of the worst experiences of severe epidemics of AIDS. AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). If a person gets infected with HIV, the body will try to fight the infection. The body will make antibodies, which are special molecules to fight the virus. A person can get AIDS by a transfer of fluid (blood, semen etc.). The symptoms of HIV are similar to that of the flu. The person will not know whether he/she has HIV. The virus will multiply in the body. HIV damages the entire immune system. AIDS affects the health of an HIV positive person drastically. HIV leaves a person susceptible to opportunistic diseases and tumours. Opportunistic infections are common in people with AIDS. HIV affects nearly every organ system. People with AIDS also have an increased risk of developing various cancers. Additionally, people with AIDS often have symptoms of infection such as fevers, sweats, swollen glands, chills, weakness and major weight loss. AIDS has major effects on the behaviour and eating habits. People that have the disease get mouth sores, they get really thin, and they contract a lot of other diseases, which in turn makes them very sick. Tuberculosis (TB) is quite unique among infections associated with HIV. It is easily treatable once identified and may occur in the early stages of the HIV disease. It is prevented with drug therapy. The three main ways to get HIV are sexual contact, exposure to infected fluid or tissues, from mother to child (the breastfeeding period). However, using protection such as condoms, use protective gloves when busy with an injection/syringe, can prevent these ways. When mothers or women get HIV, there is a mighty risk of a baby getting HIV. This means that everyday; a baby might be born with HIV,

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