The Physical & Psychological Effects of Hiv/Aids

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The Effects of HIV/AIDs Sabrina Fudge Psychology 131 April 27, 2009 AIDS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is a condition in which the immune system becomes weak and is unable to fight off infections in the body. HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus leads to AIDS. HIV is acquired when the virus enters the body and lives and multiplies in cells that protect us from disease, such as the white blood cells. As this happens, the immune system breaks down leaving the body venerable to illness and infections. The virus is spread through HIV infected fluids from one person to another. There are numerous ways to spread the virus. Infection of HIV can occur during all forms of unprotected sex, through the use of contaminated syringes and other piercing instruments, needles, and from mother to child. Though there are treatments for HIV and AIDS, there are no vaccines or cures for them. HIV/AIDS virus has various amounts of effects on the infected individual psychologically and physiologically. This paper will focus on the mental and physical effects of the HIV/AIDS virus on the persons living with the disease. The effects a person with HIV/AIDS face varies from individual to individual. Each situation is as unique as the person involved. Not everyone will experience all the emotional or physical responses that HIV/AIDS can cause. Some individuals might face appalling changes in personal relationships, in their physical bodies, and in their self-esteem and image, while others may not be affected so much mentally or physically. Surely, mental health problems can affect anybody but individuals infected with the HIV virus are more likely to experience a range of mental health issues over the course of their lives. Common mental health problems many are effected by are feelings of acute emotional distress, depression, and anxiety which can often lead to adverse

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