The Spread Of HIV/AIDS In The United States

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AIDS in The United States The United States of America is supposed to be a place in which all people are to live a life of freedom and justice. Although this is the general consensus, it is very controversial. Some people in this country suffer everyday from racism, poverty, and other inequalities. HIV infections and AIDS are two common diseases found among Hispanic Americans, African Americans, and Alaska Natives/American Indians within the United States. Socioeconomic differences are significant between all types of people in the US. There are multi-billion dollar families living in this country, while there are millions living on the streets with no food or shelter to provide for their families. This problem needs to be…show more content…
Sexual contact is the most common way to spread HIV AIDS, but it can also be transmitted by sharing needles when injecting drugs, or during childbirth and breastfeeding. As HIV/AIDS reproduces, it damages the body's immune system and the body becomes susceptible to illness and infection. There is no known cure for HIV infection (Cichocki, 2009). There are many signs and symptoms to show for HIV infections or AIDS. For one, long lasting depression is a key sign. If a person continually feels down about everything, especially things that normally make them happy that is a very strong indication. Also, diarrhea, vomiting, sinus infections, fat re-distribution, tingling of the feet and hands, swollen lymph nodes, rash, fever, shortness of breath, visual changes and fatigue are all signs and symptoms of an HIV infection (Cichocki, 2007). Antiretroviral medications are the only treatment for HIV and AIDS. They are not a cure, but they can stop people from becoming ill for many years. The treatment consists of drugs that have to be taken every day for the rest of a person’s life. The aim of antiretroviral treatment is to keep the amount of HIV in the body at a low level. This stops any weakening of the immune system and allows it to recover from any damage that HIV might have caused already. These antiretroviral drugs…show more content…
Two “determinants of health” of AIDS in the biology field would be having safe sex, and being careful with transferable blood. When it comes to behavior, being open and honest with your sexual partners about having HIV/AIDS and using protective methods, such as condoms, are the definitely the right thing to do. Also, not having sex with people that you don’t know would be a behavior determinant. Also, going to doctors that you know use cleanliness and sterile needles when dealing with blood samples or getting your blood taken. A social environment risk factor for AIDS would be hanging out with people you know have HIV and AIDS and not using safe practices if you come in contact with their blood. Also, going to places such as strip clubs, or going to prostitutes who would not necessarily be honest if they had HIV or AIDS. These could also be examples of physical environment determinants of health. Access to quality health care is a problem for many people living within the United States. At least 20% of the population with HIV/AIDS is uninsured. This is most certainly a risk factor. The medications that you need to help treat, are very expensive and without quality health care people could lose their homes, and everything they love because they can’t afford the doctors and medications that they need to help them overcome HIV/AIDS. There are many risk factors for individuals with HIV

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