AIDS Whats new Essay Example For Students

AIDS Whats new ? Essay -Is the message getting through? We already know enough about AIDS toprevent its spread, but ignorance, complacency, fear and bigotry continue tostop many from taking adequate precautions. We know enough about how the infection is transmitted to protect ourselvesfrom it without resorting to such extremes as mandatory testing, enforcedquarantine or total celibacy. But too few people are heeding the AIDSmessage. Perhaps many simply dont like or want to believe what they hear,preferring to think that AIDS cant happen to them. Experts repeatedlyremind us that infective agents do not discriminate, but can infect any andeveryone. Like other communicable diseases, AIDS can strike anyone. It is notnecessarily confined to a few high-risk groups. We must all protect ourselvesfrom this infection and teach our children about it in time to take effectiveprecautions. Given the right measures, no one need get AIDS. The pandemic continues:Many of us have forgotten about the virulence of widespread epidemics, suchas the 1917/18 influenza pandemic which killed over 21 million people,including 50,000 Canadians. Having been lulled into false security by modernantibiotics and vaccines about our ability to conquer infections, the Westernworld was ill prepared to cope with the advent of AIDS in 1981. (Retro-spective studies now put the first reported U.S. case of AIDS as far back as1968.) The arrival of a new and lethal virus caught us off guard. Researchsuggests that the agent responsible for AIDS probably dates from the 1950s,with a chance infection of humans by a modified Simian virus found in Africangreen monkeys. Whatever its origins, scientists surmise that the diseasespread from Africa to the Caribbean and Europe, then to the U.S. Currentestimates are that 1.5 to 2 million Americans are now probably HIV carriers,with higher numbers in Central Africa and parts of the Caribbean. Recapping AIDS the facts:AIDS is an insidious, often fatal but less contagious disease than measles,chicken pox or hepatitis B. AIDS is thought to be caused primarily by a virusthat invades white blood cells (lymphocytes) especially T4-lymphocytes orT-helper cells and certain other body cells, including the brain. In 1983and 1984, French and U.S. researchers independently identified the virusbelieved to cause AIDS as an unusual type of slow-acting retrovirus nowcalled human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. Like other viruses, HIV isbasically a tiny package of genes. But being a retrovirus, it has the rarecapacity to copy and insert its genes right into a human cells own chromo-somes (DNA). Once inside a human host cell the retrovirus uses its ownenzyme, reverse transcriptase, to copy its genetic code into a DNA moleculewhich is then incorporated into the hosts DNA. The virus becomes an integralpart of the persons body, and is subject to control mechanisms by which itcan be switched on or off. But the viral DNA may sit hidden and inactivewithin human cells for years, until some trigger stimulates it to replicate. Thus HIV may not produce illness until its genes are turned on five, ten,fifteen or perhaps more years after the initial infection. During the latent period, HIV carriers who harbour the virus without anysign of illness can unknowingly infect others. On average, the dormant virusseems to be triggered into action three to six years after first invadinghuman cells. When switched on, viral replication may speed along, producingnew viruses that destroy fresh lymphocytes. As viral replication spreads, thelymphocyte destruction virtually sabotages the entire immune system. Inessence, HIV viruses do not kill people, they merely render the immune systemdefenceless against other opportunistic: infections, e.g. yeast invasions,toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr infections, massive herpesinfections, special forms of pneumonia (Pneumocystis carinii the killer inhalf of all AIDS patients), and otherwise rare malignant tumours (such asKaposis sarcoma.)Cofactors may play a crucial contributory role:What prompts the dormant viral genes suddenly to burst into action andstart destroying the immune system is one os th e central unsolved challengesabout AIDS. Some scientists speculate that HIV replication may be set off bycofactors or transactivators that stimulate or disturb the immune system. Such triggers may be genetically determined proteins in someones system, orforeign substances from other infecting organisms such as syphilis,chlamydia, gonorrhea, HTLV-1 (leukemia), herpes, or CMV (cytomegalovirus) which somehow awaken the HIV virus. The assumption is that once HIVreplication gets going, the lymphocyte destruction cripples the entire immunesystem. Recent British research suggest that some people may have a serumprotein that helps them resist HIV while others may have one that makes themgenetically more prone to it by facilitating viral penetration of T-helpercells. Perhaps, says one expert, everybody exposed to HIV can becomeinfected, but whether or not the infection progresses to illness depends onmultiple immunogenic factors. Some may be lucky enough to have genes thatprotect them form AIDS!Variable period until those infected develop antibodies:While HIV hides within human cells, the body may produce antibodies, but,for reasons not fully understood, they dont ne utralise all the viruses. Thepresence of HIV antibodies thus does not confer immunity to AIDS, nor preventHIV transmission. Carriers may be able to infect others. The usual time takento test positive for HIV antibodies after exposure averages from four to sixweeks but can take over a year. Most experts agree that within six months allbut 10 per cent of HIV-infected people seroconvert and have detectableantibodies. While HIV antibody tests can indicate infection, they are not foolproof. The ELISA is a good screening test that gives a few false positives andmore false negatives indicating that someone who is infected has not yetdeveloped identifiable antibodies.) The more specific Western Blot test, doneto confirm a positive ELISA, is very accurate. However, absence of antibodiesdoesnt guarantee freedom form HIV, as someone may be in the window periodwhen, although already infected, they do not yet have measurable levels ofHIV antibodies. A seropositive result does not mean someone has AIDS; itmeans (s)he is carrying antibodies, may be infectious and may develop AIDS atsome future time. As to how long seropositive persons remain infectious, theJune 1987 Third International Conference on AIDS was told to assume FORLIFE. What awaits HIV-carriers who test positive?:On this issue of when those who test HIV positive will get AIDS, expertsthink that the fast track to AIDS is about two years after HIV infection; theslow route may be 10, 15, or more years until symptoms appear. Mostspecialists agree that it takes at least two years to show AIDS symptomsafter HIV infection, and that within ten years as many as 75 per cent ofthose infected may develop AIDS. A report from Atlantas CDC based on ananalysis of blood collected in San Francisco from 1978 to 1986, showed asteady increase with time in the rate of AIDS development among HIV-infectedpersons 4 percent within three years; 14 percent after five years; 36percent after seven years. The realistic, albeit doomsday view is that 100percent of those who test HIV-positive may eventually develop AIDS. Hitchcock's Stylistic innovations EssayAIDS CANNOT BE PICKED UP CASUALLY via doorknobs, public washrooms, sharedschool books, communion coups, cutlery or even by food handlers with opencuts. A relatively weak virus, HIV is easily killed by a dilute 1 in 10solution of Javex/bleach, rubbing alcohol and other disinfectants. Even whereparents or caregivers have cleaned up HIV-infected blood, vomit or feces, HIVhas not been transmitted. It is perfectly safe to share a kitchen, bathroom,schoolroom or workbench with HIV-infected individuals. But it is inadvisableto share toothbrushes, razors, acupuncture needles, enema equip-ment or sharp gadgets, which could carry infected blood through the skin. ORDINARY, NONSEXUAL WORKPLACE AND CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES DONT TRANSMIT AIDS. The rare exception might be direct blood-to-blood contact via cuts or woundsif infected blood (in considerable amounts) spills onto an open sore. Even insuch cases a swab with dilute bleach can kill HIV viruses. Not spread by mosquitoes and other insects:-Theres no evidence of HIV transmission by insects. Researchers report thatthe AIDS virus cannot multiply or survive inside a mosquito. The infectionpattern in Africa where children who are not sexually active might beexpected to have AIDS if mosquito bites were a real threat shows no sign ofinsect transmission. Vaccines still a way off:-Scientists caution that a safe, effective vaccine against HIV may be atleast a decade away, mainly because, like the influenza virus, HIV mutates(changes structure) quickly, producing different strains. (Several differentHIV strains have already been isolated.) An ideal vaccine must be able tostimulate neutralization of both free viruses and those hidden withinlymphocytes, such as T-helper cells. Researchers in various countries havedeveloped and are testing a few preliminary vaccines. One sub-unit vaccine,made from virus coat material (a glycoprotein) genetically cloned in aninsect virus (the baculovirus, which attacks moths and butterflies but nohumans) has been shown to stimulate an immune response in experimentalanimals. Another preliminary vaccine, produced by cloning modified Vacciniaviruses, containing a portion of HIV envelope, is about to enter clinicaltrials in New York. (It would be applies, like the old smallpox vaccine, intoa small scratch.) But to date no vaccine tried in animals or humans has beenshown to prevent AIDS. Testing no solution:Large scale, screening of the public for HIV antibodies offers little pro-tection because todays apparent negatives can become infected tomorrow ortest seropositive when antibodies develop in those already harboring HIV. Reliance on tests could lull people into false complacency. A false nega-tive result may fool someone into risky sexual behaviour. Curiously, despitea widespread demand for tests, especially among high-risk groups, a study inPittsburgh showed that 46 percent of a group of homosexual/bisexual mentested did not return for or want their antibody test results. Many healthexperts therefore believe that mandatory testing would be useless as HIVantibody tests only indicate exposure, not necessarily infectivity. As oneUniversity of Toronto virologist puts it: Widescale compulsory screening forHIV antibodies is not necessarily useful and will do nothing to promoteprevention or cure. Whats needed perhaps is more accurate knowledge aboutthe disease and more responsible behaviour rather than testing.Those who should consider testing might include people known to be at highrisk and any who think they may have been HIV-infected or who wish to betested and have discussed it with their physician. Wh ats needed, as with anyinfectious disease, is not more testing buy more precautions againstinfection. Message clear but still largely unheeded:Despite a veritable blitz of AIDS information, experts claim that too fewpeople are changing their lifestyles or behaviour sufficiently to protectthemselves from AIDS. A recent Canadian poll revealed widespread ignorance ofthe fact that AIDS is primarily a sexually acquired infection, not caught bycasual touch. The survey showed that although sexual intercourse amongadolescents has risen steeply in the past 10 years, less than 25 percent ofthose aged 18 to 34 have altered their sexual behaviour to protect them-selves against AIDS, i.e. by consistent use of condoms and spermicide. THE CENTRAL MESSAGE IS CLEAR: UNLESS ABSOLUTELY SURE (and monogamy is noguarantee) THAT YOUR SEX PARTNER IS HIV-FREE, USE A CONDOM (latex, not madeof animal material) plus a reliable spermicide (e.g. one containing nonoxyl-9). Studies with infected haemophiliacs show that condom use by a regular sexpartner reduces infection risks, compared to unprotected sex. And regularcondom use may bring the added reward of preventing other sexually trans-mitted diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia or unwanted pregnancy. Many educators say that, by whatever means, AIDS information must get outto young people at an early enough age for them to absorb it before becomingsexually active. Only by acting upon accurate AIDS information can peopleprotect themselves, their sex partners, families and ultimately society fromthis disease. Protection the only answer:The best way to avoid AIDS is to regard it as a highly lethal disease andpractice commonsense prevention. Avoiding infection is IN ONES OWN HANDS. People can protect themselves. To halt its spread, people are encouraged toobtain and apply accurate AIDS information to their living styles and sexualhabits in order to reduce the risk of getting or transmitting the virus. Sadly, health promoters claim that reaching the many who dont want to knowis no easy task. Health promoters suggest that educators must learn how andwhen to communicate AIDS information in the right way at teachablemoments. Many Public Health Departments are now taking the lead indisseminating education about AIDS with largescale public awareness programs. What of the future?:Many virologists believe that since antibiotics became available in thelate 1940s we have become too complacent about viral infections, no longertake communicable disease seriously, and have modern medical schools whichdevote few teaching hours to anti-infective strategies. In fact, we stillknow little about retroviruses such as HIV. Perhaps special virology researchcentres, like the Virus Research Institute proposed for the University ofToronto, will help to halt the tragic toll of AIDS and other as yet unknownviruses waiting in the wings. For more information on AIDS or aid for AIDS call: local AIDS committees,Public Health Departments, or AIDS Hotlines (in Toronto 392-AIDS.)=============================================================================In everyday conversations, AIDS is usually a source for humour. For anybodywho is suffering from the disease there is very little humour. The bestprevention is not the thought that IT COULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ME, if that wasso all the insurance companies would be out of business. The most reliable person to be put in-charge of preventing you for gettingAIDS is YOURSELF!!!! T A K EP R E V E N T I V EP R E C A U T I O N S ! !============================================================================Thanks to the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine for the article.