Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), its concept and how it is spread amongst people - Research Paper Example

?Running Head- AIDS Paper submitted for This paper talks about the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and educates its readers upon its concept and how it is spread amongst people. It also points out the preventive measure which can be taken by people as well as the governmental authorities, and concludes with the ongoing debate whether the distribution of generic drugs is better for treating HIV or the drugs manufactured and provided by the U.S pharmaceutical firms and companies. Keywords: Aids, HIV, infections, sexual transmission, syringes, blood, antibodies, immune system. 1. Background 1.1 What is AIDS? Nye and Paskin (1994) state that Aids stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) which happens when a body is infected with a certain virus known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Like its name suggest the HIV destroys the immune system of a person, which keeps the body from falling ill (A health workers guide, 2005, p. 5). Once the immune system becomes really weak, a person starts falling ill to even the mildest of infections which were never a cause of worry before. The seriousness of this issue can be gauged from the fact that even the common cold can be life threatening to a patient with AIDS (Education handbook 2008, pp. 29). To explain the phenomenon of how HIV infects a patient’s immune system lets take the example of their bloodstream. Our blood contains white blood cells which are known to fight infections and keep the body safe from catching diseases. What HIV does is that it attacks these white blood cells and when their numbers are reduced to very few, the immune system fails to function properly and the patient can be termed to have literally ‘acquired’ a syndrome from the HIV, known as AIDS. 1.2 Who gets aids? To understand who gets infected with aids we need to know how it is transmitted. While without a doubt this disease is contagious, however it cannot be spread by sharing a close proximity or using the same utensils or objects with an infected person (Evian, 2006, pp. 313). The disease basically spreads with and through the contact of blood with an infected patient which is usually when needles or syringes are shared between an infected person and a non-infected individual (Evian, 2006, pp.20). Another way how HIV can be transmitted is via sexual contact with an infected person (Evian, 2006, pp.13). Sexual contact of any kind, oral, vaginal or anal can lead to catching the virus. 1.3 AIDS Risks factors Sharing needles or syringes with others. In some cases you are not aware whether the other person is infected with HIV (Evian, 2006, pp.20). Keeping a sexual contact which could include or be limited to oral, anal or vaginal sex with an HIV infected person. While using a latex male condom is advised in all scenarios to limit chances of HIV spreading, however this method is not fully reliable to be a 100% preventive measure (Evian, 2006, pp.13). HIV is not only limited to sexual partners or those who exchange needles and syringes. An HIV infected mother can transmit the disease to her child as well either during pregnancy or birth or breast feeding (Evian, 2006, pp.223). 1.4 Common Symptoms of HIV and Aids The visibility of larger than normal lymph nodes or "swollen glands" which may have stayed that way or grown in size for a time period of more than 90 days (Evian, 2006, pp.67) The occurrences of recurring fevers and sweats in a person could be symptoms of HIV/ AIDS. Occurrences of continuous skin rashes for a long time are one of the symptoms of HIV/ AIDS. Displaying a short-term memory loss frequently could signal an infection (Evian, 2006, pp.32). Displaying a slow growth in children. Displaying frequent illness in children. Displaying infections such as conjunctivitis, ear infections, or tonsillitis in children Displaying excessive coughing accompanied with shortness of breath could be symptoms of HIV/ AIDS. Displaying frequent seizures and a lack of hand-eye coordination could signal a possible infection Displaying difficulty in swallowing or complaining of pain while doing so could be symptoms of HIV/ AIDS (Evian, 2006, pp.32). Displaying signs of confusion and frequent forgetfulness could signal an infection. Constantly complaining of nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhea, and/or vomiting Complaining about loss of vision could be symptoms of HIV/ AIDS. Displaying sudden weight loss could be symptoms of HIV/ AIDS (Evian, 2006, pp.32). Complaining about constant fatigue or tiredness Complaining about recurring headaches could signal an infection by HIV/ AIDS (Evian, 2006, pp.32). 1.5 Diagnosing aids When diagnosing for AIDS one of the ways is to initiate a Blood test to identify the presence of T cells within the patient. While around 1000 T cells is considered to be a healthy amount, however it is perceived that if 200 T cells are not present per cubic millimeter of blood then a patient may be infected with AIDS (Alcamo, 2001, pp. 60). There are cancers which are due to the presence of AIDS. If such a cancer is spotted, then it becomes easier to identify the syndrome. 1.6 Testing for HIV/ AIDS Some of the tests which detect HIV/AIDS are provided below: ELISA antibody blood test and the Western Blot antibody blood test: When the immune system of an HIV infected person tries to protect its body against the virus, it forms antibodies for the HIV. While both the ELISA antibody blood tests as well as the Western Blot antibody blood tests are pretty similar in their effectiveness they cannot directly find the virus within the bloodstream. However their counter reply to this predicament is through reacting to the HIV antibodies (Dyk 2008, pp. 85). This confirms the presence of the virus as simply as a litmus test. Blood test for the presence of HIV 1.7 Treatment for aids While there is no cure for HIV/ AIDS, however treatment is available for HIV and the complications associated with it. With the proper treatment received, a lot of infected patients are known to have lived normal lives for a long time. Even once AIDS has been identified, the symptoms can be suppressed and brought under control via treatment through the methods provided below: Using antiretroviral drugs which are a known Antiviral therapy. Being treated for signs of infections Being treated for signs of cancers Being treated for symptoms 1.8 However there are certain side effects of antiretroviral therapy: One of the side effects is recurring fever as well as infection in some cases. The onset of Nausea, diarrhea in some cases as well as vomiting is also one of the side effects. Signs of constant fatigue or tiredness is another side effect. Constant headaches also accompany this therapy. Skin rashes also arise in some patients undergoing this therapy. 1.9 Funding for research While it has been stated before that treatment for Aids is available, however a genuine cure is yet to be found. How that is going to be achieved is through research, which is being conducted 24/7 in all parts of the world. The issue here arises that the cost of the research is usually too high since the testing phases are very complicated and lengthy. Animal testing is not encouraged in most parts of the developed nations therefore the options scientists are left with are considered expensive. 1.10 Rights of patients with Aids A patient with Aids has the same rights as any other individual and intentional biasness or abuse towards any patient if found, can be faced with a legal procession. According to an article published in the U.K newspaper, guardian by writer Watts (2006), a new law was passed in China and expected to come into practice by March 1st. the law was intended to offer treatment to HIV/AIDS patients in terms of the rights to marry, hold employment, receive medical care, and avail education for themselves as well as their families. Watt (2006) has however pointed out that Aids activists are yet to be satisfied with this development since they argue such a law could be pointless as many previous ones before it, if it is not implemented by the governments. 2. U.S obligation to third world countries Being the only remaining superpower at the moment, the U.S considers itself as a leader on many fronts on a mission to ensure global welfare. The world looks up to it to assist those regions which fall under the category of third world countries, in order to help them grow together towards prosperity. Rightly so, tackling social issues and stigmas targeting third world countries and doing something to improve their issues is also on the priority list of this nation. As far as Aids is concerned, the U.S realizes that there is very little awareness on this subject in most third world countries. The reason is basically due to an overall low literacy rate. How the U.S therefore wishes to solve this issue is through increasing the literacy rate by helping construct schools and other educational institutions where awareness on issues such as Aids would be a basic part of their curriculum along with other integral subjects. 3. Manufacturing of generic drugs vs. U.S pharmaceutical companies Before the issues between the distribution of generic drugs and the opposition towards it from the U.S pharmaceutical companies can be explained, the point to understand here is the phenomenon of ‘compulsory licensing’. According to an article published in the newspaper, the guardian, compulsory licensing is when countries either start production of their own generic drugs or start purchasing them from generic drug manufacturers (Batty, 2007). While U.S naturally opposes this law by stating that it goes against the patents that most countries have already signed with them, the countries who allow compulsory licensing nonetheless, backup their actions by stating that this method decreases the huge costs of providing drug treatments to patients of HIV/ AIDS which would otherwise be incurred (Batty, 2007). According to Batty (2007), the U.S pharmaceutical companies are aware that using generic drugs is one way to negotiate lower prices with them, and that is why developing countries are using this threat of compulsory licenses. While such moves continue to provoke protest from the pharmaceutical industry, countries indulging in compulsory licensing claim such actions are well within international law (Batty, 2007). They use the World Trade Organisation agreements as evidence which state that in cases of national public health emergencies governments can allow the manufacture, import and sale of cheaper generic versions of patented drugs (Batty, 2007). Batty (2007) has noticed that in an attempt to keep the prices of aids drugs low, Brazil has often availed the bargaining chip of compulsory licensing as a threat. While the U.S pharmaceutical giant, Merck agreed to provide Brazil a 30% discount on Aids drugs the country has instead decided to buy the cheaper versions from Indian counterparts (Batty, 2007). The Brazilian Government’s claim is that previously around 80% of its $445m (?223m) budget was being used up on imported drugs, thus the deal with Indian companies resulted in a huge saving Brazil (Batty, 2007). REFERENCES (2005). A health workers guide. Jacana Media. 1. Pp. 5. (2008). Education handbook. An introduction to HIV/ AIDS and related issues. Pp. 29. http://www.aidsvancouver.org/sites/default/files/EDUCATION_HANDBOOK_rev_Sept _08_cover.pdf Alcamo, E. (2001). A Primer on Aids. Oxford: Blackwell Science. Pp. 60. Batty, David. (2007). The battle for cheap Aids drugs. Theguardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/may/09/aids.comment?INTCMP=SRCH Evian, C. (2006). Primary Hiv/Aids Care: A Practical Guide for Primary Health Care Personnel in a Clinical and Supportive Setting. Jacana. Pp. 13- 313 Nye, K. E and Paskin, J. K. (1994). HIV and AIDS. Bios Scientific Publishers. Oxford, England. Pp. 3. Van Dyk, A. C. (2008). Hivaids Care & Counselling: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Pearson Education. Pp. 85 Watts, Jonathan. (2006). Legal rights for Aids patients. Theguardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/feb/13/china.jonathanwatts Read More